Both front and rear wipers smear completely, but it passed MOT?

[derelyth]

Hi all,

Had (a lot of) rain today and I went to clear both windscreens - all 3 wipers went nice and smooth, and quietly - but the mess they left was terrible - complete smear, similar to like when you wipe glass with some Shammy leather, although it does clear eventually.

Now it passed an MOT before I collected it from the Dealer, yet my Clio failed for the front wipers "Not effectly clearing windscreen" - this is beyond ineffectively clearing the windscreens in my opinion but is it normal?

Is it an effect of having something like RainX on the screens? The car was fully valeted before I collected it, but I don't know if they used anything like that, nor if it would cause what I am experiencing on the glass.

Just thought I'd ask before I go out and buy a complete set of wipers!

Thanks,

Karl

 

[pdh 14a]

Probably is a cleaning product causing it! and i don't think rear wipers count on an mot?

 

[jh1]

Sounds like

Possibly the clio was not clearing water due to worn wiper rubbers or wiper arm / motor drive issue (mot failed)

While polish or cleaner type smear is not a wiper problem

Sounds like MOT man was sensible to me .......

Stick your screen heater on hot n blowy for a while this should clear the screen - although it may need a good few water squirts to get rid of whatever is on your screen...

 

[Nath.]

Give your screen and blades a good clean with household glass cleaner before you spash out on new wiper blades.

 

[StealthInspired]

Could also be a build up of dust and grime on the screen over a number of dry days, then when its rained, its all caked up and made a mess over the windscreen...

 

[derelyth]

Brilliant responses guys, thanks

I'll give all the blades and glass a going over with some glass cleaner as suggested and see if that helps it - more annoying than anything as it makes the screen nearly impoosible to see through for a second or two until the smear clears up!

Cheers again

 

[GainfulShrimp]

It's worth looking into G1 from Gtechniq - it's a glass coating that is semi-permanent (lasts about 30k miles, unlike Rain-X etc). Bit of elbow-grease required to clean the glass thoroughly then apply it properly, but once it's on you'll find the glass much easier to clean and you won't even need wipers at all above about 50mph.