2004 Marineco/AFI wiper blade refills?

[timflan]

Apparently, my boat has completely unique wiper arms/blades, even though the motor assembly looks pretty standard. I can't find a blade refill, or even a blade assembly, that looks the same. I've searched the threads here, and if the information is already on the site, I can't find it.

It's very frustrating.

Does anybody know where I could find new refills, or even new blade assemblies? I would prefer not to replace the entire arm where it attaches to the motor; the wipers work fine. The rubber's 6 years old, is the problem.

Thanks!

[timflan]

Additional info: I got one of the blade assemblies apart, and the name "ANCO" appears there. So my blades are apparently from Anco. Anyone?

[damason]

I work for West Marine and they have all the AFI parts in stock. If there is a store close to you, stop by, otherwise go online to westmarine.com and look at the AFI products. They sell new wiper blade inserts, wiper blades, arms, motors, etc.

[Dreamer]

Tim, Anco is an automotive wiper blade supplier. Have you checked an auto parts store?

[Larry H]

While ANCO made the blade, it is likely not going to be in an auto parts store. I don't think you can find a car with as short a windshield as a C-Dory.

I tried the same thing with the manual wiper blades on my 91 CD 22, no joy. I had to order from an expensive marine supplier.

Good luck on your search, if you find them at a reasonable price, maybe you could start a group buy.

[Adeline]

A long time back (C-Dog Site ?) someone posted that blades for old Jeeps (Willys ?) were a perfect replacement.

[lloyds]

I replaced the blades on my 16' at NAPA in Philomath. I am guessing some of the parts houses have something that will work. Just have to find the right parts house.

[timflan]

I'm not having any luck. Very frustrating. Fisheries Supply no. West Marine no. Schuck's no. Action Auto Parts no. And about a thousand Google searches no. Jeep Willys blades are 10" or 11", and I need 12".

At this point, I'm going to try to polish up the existing blade assembly. Then I merely have to find a wiper squeegee element the right width and cut it to length and...WAIT A MINUTE! THIS IS NUTS!

I just want to buy new wiper blades. Is that asking too much?

[Captains Cat]

Tim, Here's an ANCO 12" blade assembly at Amazon.

I feel your pain, it can be a real problem. Hope this works.

Charlie

[toyman]

Here are some Bosch, course they are for a back window - you may have to reverse the wires on the motor - or something.


I thought the old VW were 12", but it looks like they were 11".

http://www.autothing.com/Products/Wiper%20Blades/Bosch%20Hindsight%20Wiper%20Blades.htm

[damason]

There are 10 West Marine stores in the Seattle area. Take your AFI parts off of your boat and take them to a WM store and they will help you buy the correct parts. We have all of the AFI parts hanging on a shelf in our WM store in Florida. Good Luck!

[timflan]

I've no doubt replacements exist, but finding them has already taken up more time than it's worth. I've just polished them up with Barkeeper's Friend, and they look presentable at this point, so I'm putting them back on the boat! If I felt like spending more time on it, I would use a genuine polish to make them shine, but for now, getting rid of the rust stains is good enough.

Thanks for all the suggestions. And yes, Dave, I went to West Marine, and I spent time talking with the guys there, and they were stumped. That doesn't surprise me, when the guys at Fisheries Supply were also stumped. Nobody had seen blades that connect to the arm the way mine do. At Friday Harbor, I'll be examining everybody's wiper arms very closely.

[Captains Cat]

Tim, I'd just bite the bullet and buy a new boat!

Charlie

[Pat Anderson]

Wiper blades fall into that category of "They can put a man on the moon, and they can't attach the wiper blade to the arm any better than THAT?" As you can imagine, I have to have the NAPA guy change my wiper blades on every single vehicle I own, he tries to show me how it works, and it is so convoluted (and different on each one) that the next time I look at it, I am stumped again.

Another one is the stupid studs in the bracket in the floor that hold the crapper down, bu that is a whole 'nother story...

[Sea Wolf]

Pat-

I'll have to admit (thankfully) to being a bit unfamiliar with your "studs on the crapper" problem, but the wiper blades can be a challenge!

They have so many different designs, and they are constantly changing them, too! And just when you thought you had one type figured out!

I think they're deliberately designed to have non-interchangeable parts to retain your business with the particular companies. A customer "lock-In" thing. (Conspiracy Theory, Type VII.)

They also seem like they're purposely designed to be baffling to figure out, presumably because they want to hide the mechanics to make a smooth looking blade for the car's appearance. But we're stuck with all their hidden releases, etc.

Worse yet, the edges of much of the wipers and arms are sharp and easily cut your fingers, and the blades and arms are poised out over he windshield where it's hard to work on them, too!

So down to NAPA we go to let the "Pro" do it. Why not? it doesn't cost for the free labor and if there's a problem, we can just take it back for a free fix, right?

Too bad you can't get the same service with the studs on the crapper!

Joe.