Painting windshield Wiper Arms

New 10/01/2004

My windshield wiper arms have the paint worn off pretty bad and I want to
paint them.

Any suggestions for techniques on this? Types of paint, etc.
W. Gordon Finley

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This morning, I was thinking about this myself. I think I'll wait until after winter, but I plan on wet sanding them down then using some flat black paint. Ideas on paint types WOULD be appreciated. I know SW9 has repainted wiper arms, but they looked glossier than OEM.

David

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Sand wherever oxidized, then use self etching spray primer for aluminum. Then any low gloss black. Works well, had to do this on my 96.

Scott

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You could try a satin finish model paint thru an air brush. I did that with
some grill black out touch up on my Pathy....

Dave Manke
AG ARCHITECTURE

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I use the $.99 glossy black from Wal-Mart. Just sand smooth any
irregularities hang them and paint them.

I use to use a flat paint but it does not stay looking as nice for long.

Paul Nimz

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If you look closely at this pix you can see that I painted mine right before 04 convention.
http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/100_0851.JPG
I have since redone them as the gloss was a bit over the top. I just sanded them by hand real good, then shot them, this time with a semi-gloss, three coats, then two coats of clear. Look great. Espically when the cowl is detailed. Got the paint from AZ

Uncl Lar

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What was the grit on the sand paper you used.Thanks
Danny NYC

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I did the arms on my '96 with just parts store semi-gloss
black spray paint.

I wet sanded with 2000 grit to get rid of chips and feather
the edges, leaving any good paint, and then taped off any
areas I didn't want to paint.

I did NOT use any primer, just wiped the area down well with
a paint prep solvent.

They looked just a tiny bit shinier than stock but they have
held up well for about two years.

Took me all of about 1/2 hour to do both of them.

Don Mallinson

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My cars are not show cars or garage queens, but I recently dressed up my Gen II
by painting the wiper arms and the door post B-pillar thingys with Rustoleum
black satin - kind of that balance between gloss and flat.

Brad Bender

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I used my Wife's mouse sander, {she wood works small items as a hobby}
removed the arms and sanded all down uses the really fine paper for the machine.
Tremclad rust inhibiting primer. Tremclad Flat black both in spray cans.
looks good. been just over 2 years.

Clare

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*ok at this point the thread went ballistic into arenas I care not to share. *
U.L.

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I painted my wiper arms two years ago. It still looks fine. I used
Dupli-Color Auto Trim Paint Flat Black. This paint is a dead ringer for the
paint finish and gloss level of the wiper arms and the pillars between the
side windows. It is not really flat but has a dull sheen and I believe is
best suited for the application.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rodi/duptp70.html

Don R.

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Someone else recently posted a figure of about $20 or so...

I'm contemplating a body-color re-paint myself... I have 3 cans of custom mixed body color spray paint still waiting to be used on something, and I'm sure I won't need all 3 for my FSTB.

An interesting note, speaking of which... Performance White (or Vibrant White, or whatever) has a small amount of red in it. Small enough of a percentage that you can't make less than about 12 or 16 ounces of it without screwing it up (can't get that small of an amount of red at that low volume).

-John Breen III

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The SLO and SHO arms on the passenger side is the same. The SHO drivers side is unique with the spoiler as the SLO does not have one. The passengers side and drivers side are a bit different. You can get the SHO drivers side to work on the passenger side. The blade you use will not change.

Paul Nimz

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FPN website says $15 and $20 for the two arms for the SHO.nbsp;(To quote Uncl Larry, "Wonderful thing, that website.nbsp; Isn't it?")nbsp; nbsp;The SLO wiper arms have an illustration, but the SHOs do not.nbsp; I'm assuming the SHO arms have the air deflector on the driver's side, but I'm not sure what the difference is between the SHO and SLO on the passenger side.
Dan Carman '97 PG

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Pass side blade 2" shorter. should be consistent whether or not sho.
Uncl Lar

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Decontent I believe. They were not going to make 99's at all at first. When Ford decided to use up those last engines and make one
more SHO year, they eliminated as many SHO specific parts as possible to keep the cost down.

Jim

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My 99 has no wing/spoiler/deflector on the wiper arm - was that part of discontent, or do I have a defective SHO?

Brad:

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Sarah's has the spoiler on the drivers wiper. Hers is a late model 99 as it has no O/D off button, early 99's have the O/D off. I'll get the build date if you want.

Scott

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Assuming you took the wiper arms off the car:

1) Give the arms a thorough washing and dry. Try to sand enough of the rough areas with semi-smooth grit paper to level and finish with smooth grit paper to
eliminate deep scratches or use steel wool to finish. Home Depot has that Norton 3X(320 grit)sanding sponge that works very well on the finish. Go in one direction on final strokes.

2) Smooth sand the plastic "spoiler" on the drivers arm. Wipe down arms with clean cloth damp with rubbing alcohol.

3) Suspend the arm in the garage or other covered area with ventilation. Use any good Flat Black spray paint. One good thorough coat. Let dry thoroughly.

4) Use clear semi-gloss spray paint to finish. Enough to cover but no more. Let dry thoroughly.

or

4) Give second coat of Flat. Let dry overnight.

5) With clean dry soft cloth, buff arm until desired
sheen is achieved.

6) Buy a set of Bosch silicone wiper blades. You won't regret it.

Don't remember the manufacturer but, the local auto
supply used to sell this "Black Trim Semi-Gloss" that
had the perfect sheen and very durable.

Hope that helps.

T. Montiglio
96 Silver Frost
112K

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