[DIY] Black wipers (no more worn sliver wipers)

**mattc** · 28-12-2007 03:52 PM

Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!

Aim: To make those worn wiper blades look black again for CHEAP using house-hold items.

Was too cheap to buy new wipers so just tried to “rejuvenate the old ones” :P

Required: Sponge, Shoe polish (liquid) (THAT’S IT)
Steps:

1. Wash the area/ wipers clean making sure that they are free from any dirt etc.

2. Dry the area again ensuring that the wipers are clean

3. Apply a small amount of black shoe polish (Liquid) to a sponge and wipe the area which has worn away (coloured silver) and cover until you cannot see the silver wiper no more

. What I found is that I actually had to use a “dabbing” motion to cover the wipers as the shoe polish doesn’t “stick” that well.

4. Let dry then cover with some protectant. I used “Kitten interior care”. Again apply some of the protectant to a sponge or cloth and wipe the wipers down.

5. Sit back and enjoy your work

Other comments
Overall the end result turned out pretty good. The wipers don’t look brand new or anything, but it does the trick

for now.

** I used liquid shoe polish. “kiwi” Brand I think.. not sure how the paste stuff turns out.
*** Be careful with the liquid polish and don’t spill any on ur car!!!

**Lukey** · 02-01-2008 09:48 PM

does it wash off in the rain?

**EKVTIR-T** · 02-01-2008 10:02 PM

With exterior trims and the wipers I usually just use matt or satin black spray.
Comes up like new...

**Paul1985** · 02-01-2008 10:04 PM

why not remove them and paint them?
ive done it many times lol..

i used a cheap $5 can of gloss black paint from supercheap..
Guess this is just an easier alternative.

**mattc** · 03-01-2008 08:02 AM

so far so good.. hasnt come off in the rain..

cant be bothered to take them off and paint them...but actually didnt think of doing that.. might try it later.

i guess this is a cheap alternative for the lazy pplz.. including myself

**one4spl** · 03-01-2008 08:16 AM

Taking the blade spreader bit (the part shaped like a coat hanger) off is easy, usually there’s a button to press in the hinge and it slides off.

If the arm needs painting too then you can unbolt it. Make sure you mark on the windscreen where the blade sits at the moment when its 'parked' so you can put it back in the same place. You might need a pulley puller to get the arm off the shaft.

Take the blade out and take it to an auto-electrician and ask them to bead blast it which will remove all the old paint, then hang in on a wire and spray paint it with matt black paint. Do it a few times with thin coats so it doesn't run.

I did this years ago to an old Tercel I had and it lasted several years until I sold the car.

These days you can buy Bosch and Trico replacement blade/spreader assemblies from Supercheap etc for cheap, though.

Words of wisdom from a sucker who’s done it before- DONT OPEN THE BONNET WITH THE WIPERS UP!

Also, when you put it all back together run the wipers on each speed with a friend hosing the screen and make sure that the sweep of the wipers is correct and isn't hitting the frames of the window. You need the water to lubricate the screen so the wiper does the full sweep it can.

**ludecrs** · 03-01-2008 12:30 PM

Or you could just spend $18 and get 2 new Aunger wiper arms from any Supercheap Auto store?

**one4spl** · 03-01-2008 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by ludecrs

Or you could just spend $18 and get 2 new Aunger wiper arms from any Supercheap Auto store?

Err, as I said-

Originally Posted by one4spl

These days you can buy Bosch and Trico replacement blade/spreader assemblies from Supercheap etc for cheap, though.

**panda[cRx]** · 03-01-2008 02:30 PM

why not just paint em?

half the effort for a better result

**omgzilla** · 05-01-2008 10:35 PM

Agreed - new arms such as the Aunger/Trico jobbies go well.

Pull the wiper arms off, quick sanding with fine grit paper (to get rid of the old paint and gunk), whack on some new paint and a layer or 2 of clear and you're laughing!

Did this with my skyline and it still looked perfect after a year or more!

For $25 for a set of new wiper blades (including new refills/rubbers) and $4 for a can of black paint and a can of clear you can't go wrong

**Mugen Civic** · 07-01-2008 10:32 AM

I reckon its a great way for a quick job. I'll do it as soon as mine go silver.

**ek4-guy** · 07-01-2008 10:36 AM

you know when it rains shoe polish is going to run all over ur car and probably stain the paint

i did mine with duplicolour was about $7 and they look like new lol

but do them in matt black then it will look oem and match the plastic around them