BUG OFF! Protecting Your Wiper Blades from Bug Splatters
As the weather warms up, be prepared for a windscreen will soon find itself in the line of fire from the flurry of bugs...
As the weather warms up, be prepared for a windscreen will soon find itself in the line of fire from the flurry of bugs and midges that emerge as temperatures rise.
A build-up of bugs not only obscures your vision while driving, but the acidic entrails and corrosive enzymes from some bugs can permanently mark glass and damage surrounding paintwork.
The acid can eat through a car’s clear coat in as little as two days, and on windscreens, it will degrade the rubber of wiper blades, shortening their lifespan.
Wipers are optimised for removing slick water from your windscreen, so giving a wipe over rough, abrasive debris can also tear and pit the rubber of your blade.
Once the rubber is damaged, wipers will be less effective at sealing to the windscreen and are more likely to leave streaks and smears.
Additionally, the longer the corrosive creatures are left on the screen, the harder they are to remove, so preventing their permanent residence is a top priority.
How To Remove Bugs from Your Windscreen
If the bugs are small and haven't been on the windscreen for long, attempt using your wiper blades but be sure to use a generous amount of washer fluid at the same time.
If the bug doesn't shift straight away, don't risk damaging the rubber with continued wiping, simply remove by hand once you have come to a stop.
Indeed, it is important to keep your wiper blades in good condition and replacing them when needed is essential to keeping a clear vision, particularly when the summer sun exaggerates every little mark.
Top condition wiper blades and topped-up washer fluid are the best way to prevent bugs becoming a hassle, by removing them before they get baked into the glass.
Another way to prevent long-term damage is to remove stubborn bugs by hand. As you notice more bugs about, it may be useful to store a few paper towels or a microfibre cloth in the glovebox or boot.
Manually scrubbing with a specifically formulated bug remover (or even just water and plenty of elbow grease) will go a long way to protecting your glass and wiper blades for a more targeted clean.
Preventing Bug Splatters
Although it’s impossible to completely prevent contact with an insect when on the move, there are a couple of actions you can take do to prevent them from turning into a problem.
While manually scrubbing with any cloth will make a difference, microfibre cloth is non-abrasive, and its tiny fibres lift and trap particles and dust, making a huge difference for streak-free glass cleaning.
Easily forgotten, but important to remember, keeping the wiper blade itself clean can make a huge difference. Wiping debris off the rubber reduces degradation and guarantees a streak-free clean.
Wiper blades are one of the most cost-effective upgrades for your vehicle, but they play a crucial role in ensuring clear vision and safer driving, particularly when glare is at its most intrusive during the longer summer days.
With Wiperblades.co.uk, you can purchase the wiper blades that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle, all at great value prices, even among top name brands like Bosch, Michelin and Lucas.
Plus, with our easy-to-follow fitment videos and expert guidance, you can install them in less than a minute—keeping your windscreen spotless with minimal effort.
When Is The Right Time To Change My Wiper Blades?
Wiper blades undergo a lot of stress when they are fixed to your car. As well as being a moving component exposed to the elements, the materials will inevitably wear down gradually when in use as they are making constant contact with the windscreen.
Indeed, wiper blades cope with more than simply wiping away water from your windscreen during rainy conditions – UV rays from the sun, deposits of oil from other cars around you, bugs and unforeseen debris all take their toll on them.
Wiper blades are designed to be durable and sturdy to withstand these challenges but they will ultimately wear down over time and if you don’t replace them, they could be classified as dangerous or illegal –your car won’t pass an MOT if this is the case.
So how do you know when to replace them? When driving, you might notice over time that the rubber blades will clear the windscreen less evenly, leaving some streaks of moisture in places. They may also start to squeak as the rubber encounters friction on the windscreen.
Regardless, it is recommended you change your wiper blades every 12 months to ensure you are getting optimum windscreen wiping performance.
If in doubt, you can inspect them close up and assess the blades for any blemishes, such as chips, tears and unevenness. If this occurs, then the time has come to get new wiper blades.
Which Wiper Blades Fit My Vehicle?
Using our easy registration search tool, Wiperblades.co.uk takes the hassle out of looking for complex part codes by only returning results of wiper blades that are guaranteed to fit your specific model.
It’s an entirely risk-free way to ensure you are buying the correct wiper blades for your vehicle… it takes seconds and means no more time-consuming shop searches!
