Windshield Wiper
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Windshield Wiper
I took my brand new Z06 on a vacation trip and got caught in the wide-spread rain in the Northeast. Historically, I have avoided driving in rain if only to keep the car clean, but rain doesn't prevent any driving. Anyway, less than 1K miles and the Z06 performed well in the rain. When I got home and started cleaning the car I have scratches from the driver's side wiper. Stupid question: Since I never used the wipers until it rained and it is less a month from the dealer, is this damage covered under warranty? I never touched the wipers and what bothers me is I never heard anything unusual--other than unusually heavy rain. Your feedback will be appreciated. Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 735
Likes: 3
From: New Harmony IN
St. Jude Donor '09
You guys that never drive in the rain need to pull them wipers up and clean under them every time you wash or clean the car. Ive said it before some guys dont even know if they work let alone how to turn them on. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,491
Likes: 311
From: Scottsdale AZ
Unless the blade somehow slipped off the track and it was metal on glass, I can't imagine that whatever scratches are there won't buff or polish out with a light scratch remover.
Before going to the dealer (assume that a warranty claim would try and say that the wiper blade was somehow defective and caused the damage) I'd go to your local auto parts store - - or even a reputable glass repair place (not the knuckleheads lurking outside the car wash) and scope out the polishes made for glass.
Before going to the dealer (assume that a warranty claim would try and say that the wiper blade was somehow defective and caused the damage) I'd go to your local auto parts store - - or even a reputable glass repair place (not the knuckleheads lurking outside the car wash) and scope out the polishes made for glass.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
I can tell you from experience that it happens. I had an Audi A4 (98) and drove through snow all day. I noticed scratches that followed one of the blades. My dealer covered it when I got to Utah. Mine were deep enough to feel so no polish was going to take it out. If you can barely feel them with your fingernail then try the polish. If anything it sounds like your ins co should cover it if it is bad enough.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 15
From: Southern Florida
Well, this is an important thing to do. Things can get lodged between the rubber blade and the glass which will cause damage in this situation.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Thanks for the comments. I am rather experienced in the art of car care. The offending wiper was checked (cleaned) and showed no sign of trouble. I don't understand how the scratch was generated but the "swipe scratch" is certainly the result of the wiper blade/arm. I've studied it repeatedly, i.e. bent "blade clips" etc. and nothing suggests what would have caused the problem. I considered debris, but the rain was quite heavy and the blades were moving water as I would expect. With such a new car (blade), I just didn't expected this. I'll try to polish the glass. It is probably my only option since I suspect the result will be deemed a wear issue and not a defect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Thanks for the comments. I am rather experienced in the art of car care. The offending wiper was checked (cleaned) and showed no sign of trouble. I don't understand how the scratch was generated but the "swipe scratch" is certainly the result of the wiper blade/arm. I've studied it repeatedly, i.e. bent "blade clips" etc. and nothing suggests what would have caused the problem. I considered debris, but the rain was quite heavy and the blades were moving water as I would expect. With such a new car (blade), I just didn't expected this. I'll try to polish the glass. It is probably my only option since I suspect the result will be deemed a wear issue and not a defect.
