1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

The 20'' rear window wiper

Discussion in 'Local Prius Club Main Forum' started by hdrygas, Jan 21, 2006.

  1. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    OK here is a huge secret, I was in the Freshman class of Centennial High School in Gresham Oregon. I understand they tore my High School down and it no longer exists. Bummer... Major Bummer. I guess that I am a PNW transplant at an early age. I would encourage every West Coast BNW individual to look into the Sponsored Commercial Sales and get the upgrade to the rear window wiper. Lets face it rains around here. I have to say that I have had my car for a year and a half and this is the best mod I have added. I can see out the rear window. Well at least better than before!
     
  2. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
    4,096
    81
    13
    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Will you take a picture of your wiper and post it, please?
     
  3. Bonny G.

    Bonny G. New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2005
    25
    0
    0
    Yes, please post a pic if you can. I am interested in doing this mod on my new '06, however, I've been wondering if a longer rear wiper would leave the glass and brush against the roof when at its highest point... Do you have any trouble with this, or does the wiper stay firmly on the glass? What year car do you have?

    Thanks for any info!
    --Bonny G.
     
  4. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    OK here are pictures. You can see that the 20" wiper just touches the body edge. Does not seem to do any harm and it sure is nice to have most of the rear window clear.
     
  5. Catskillguy

    Catskillguy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2005
    536
    0
    0
    Location:
    Mid Hudson Valley NY

    I don't know if I'm more impressed by the 20" wiper or by your organized garage! :p


    I think you just clinched me ordering the 20" wiper. I can just see the coverage it will have.
     
  6. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    389
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Thanks for the pictures! I can't see the wiper touching any painted surface in any of those pictures though. What did I miss?
     
  7. notsure

    notsure New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    236
    0
    0
    Location:
    PHOENIX AZ
    We are are currently 98 days without rain, but i will still prob get the wiper
     
  8. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    At the apex of the swing it just touches the metal surface. It is not huge but it happens, you have to watch very carefully and put your finger up there while it is moving to notice it. 20" is it.
     
  9. LisaMarli

    LisaMarli Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2004
    117
    1
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    Ok, where did you get this 20" wiper? I need one. It's been wet in San Jose. But luckily not as wet as the PNW!

    Lisa
     
  10. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
  11. LisaMarli

    LisaMarli Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2004
    117
    1
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    Thanks. I have it on order now. :)

    Lisa
     
  12. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2004
    4,147
    18
    0
  13. San_Carlos_Jeff

    San_Carlos_Jeff Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2005
    871
    160
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd keep a close eye on this if you use this wiper a lot. Even if it's just touching a little repeated rubs from the wiper will wear through the paint pretty quickly.
     
  14. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2003
    1,763
    6
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    I almost ordered one a while back, then balked. I'm reconsidering.

    If the wiper is touching the paint, scissors will cure that...
     
  15. KTPhil

    KTPhil Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2005
    1,379
    20
    0
    Cutting it might be the cure, especially if you can carefully just cut the wiping edge, not the whole blade. Cuttting too much, or not radiusing the cut, may cause the blade to tear, though... a delicate touch would be needed.
     
  16. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
    6,057
    389
    0
    Location:
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    This is supposed to be the *factory* part in Canada or some such? True? Seems odd that it would touch any paint at that point. Would have been easy to make it *correctly* if it were a factory part.

    Regardless, nipping the last 1/4" at a 45° angle would likely be the easiest mod ever.
     
  17. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    The arm is OEM in Europe the wiper is after market.
     
  18. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2005
    1,250
    7
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    If you guys are worried about 20" wiper touching the paint, I recall that sigma can sell you a 19" one. Just specify that when ordering.
     
  19. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2003
    1,763
    6
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    I haven't ever bought a wiper refill, as far as I recall. My older cars didn't all come with easily-replaced wiper arms, but I eventually got the job done. Seemed better to have a springy new arm in place every time.

    Is this unit capable of accepting any (top quality, of course) 20" replacement arm I could get at PepBoys, or would I need to stick to refilling the arm it comes with?...
     
  20. notsure

    notsure New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    236
    0
    0
    Location:
    PHOENIX AZ

    100 days no rain