Back in 2008 when we got a real snowy winter, I switched into a Trico winter blade. They have a full rubber protection wrap around the frame, making them heavier and snow does not stick to them easily. They work great! As of today in July 2010 the outside rubber wrap has disintegrated but the blade itself remains strong. I cut away the outside rubber wrap and have painted the now exposed aluminum frame black today. Come winter I will buy another set of Trico winter's, inexpensive, and also have a steel insert where you clip in, making them stronger than plastic for winter.
For cleaning the blade which I do every 2 weeks, I use a light mixture of fantastic, vinegar, and Alcohol to keep the blades clean. This mixture also works great to clean the windshield and helps to repel water.
After washing your windshield with warm water, run your hand on the glass. If you feel any small bumps or dirt particles in the glass, it is time for some jeweler's rouge or
Cerium Oxide, available at your local auto glass shop. It removes small scratches in the glass, removes wax, and restores the windshield to perfectly clean.
These trapped dirt particles wear your wiper blades prematurely.
