Wiper arms. Clean and buff or mount 'em and forget 'em

[bull]

Is there a good way to polish the wiper arms before installation or is that someting people usually don't mess with?

[Ghoste]

The original ones had a dull finish to reduce glare so I don't know that I would polish them too much.

[bill440rt]

x2   

Use a mild metal polish on them to clean them up a bit or if there is any staining on the metal. Don't use anything too aggressive. You don't want to make them shine, just nice & clean.

[Chatt69chgr]

I don't think that anyone has repoped the arms either.

[Ghoste]

I thought someone was now??

[twodko]

Hi Bull,

I tried to polish mine up before I reinstalled them but they are stainless with some kind of dull OEM finish. I just cleaned mine up and put them on.

On another note, some very bad juju befell me this week. As soon as I resize some pix I'm post with the story. 

[bill440rt]

I thought someone was now??

Blades, yes. Herb's has them.
I don't think the arms, though. 

[Brock Lee]

Yeah, as said the originals were dull. Almost like the metal was media blasted with a fine material. Shiny was a couple years earlier.

[Ghoste]

Correct, I believe 1967 was the first year for the dull finish arms.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Correct, I believe 1967 was the first year for the dull finish arms.

I kinda like the shiny version as well...a friend has them on his '70 Charger & they look pretty cool

[bull]

Thanks. It will be a nice break to not have to paint, plate, powdercoat, media blast and otherwise make something shiny.

[gtx6970]

Actually, I believe the arms them selves were satin nickle chrome( think steering wheel spokes ) finished with what I think is a natural aluminum base

wiper blades were this same satin nickle chrome finish

[bill440rt]

Actually, I believe the arms them selves were satin nickle chrome( think steering wheel spokes ) finished with what I think is a natural aluminum base

wiper blades were this same satin nickle chrome finish

Bill, I always thought they might have been stainless?    Perhaps that is the reason why they can be polished.
I know the base that goes over the pivot is white/pot metal, or aluminum. I'm leaning towards pot metal because it doesn't oxidize like bare aluminum would.

[Ghoste]

They do seem to get those deep acne craters like a pot metal piece dont they.

[gtx6970]

Actually, I believe the arms them selves were satin nickle chrome( think steering wheel spokes ) finished with what I think is a natural aluminum base

wiper blades were this same satin nickle chrome finish

Bill, I always thought they might have been stainless?    Perhaps that is the reason why they can be polished.
I know the base that goes over the pivot is white/pot metal, or aluminum. I'm leaning towards pot metal because it doesn't oxidize like bare aluminum would.

Not 100% sure be them stainless or plated steel and I do not have a magnet here to ck

potmetal base is more likely.
arms

[Dino]

Is there a good way to polish the wiper arms before installation or is that someting people usually don't mess with?

You probably want to stick to fine steel wool to clean them up.  It gives you good control to clean them up without making them to shiny. 

[bull]

Is there a good way to polish the wiper arms before installation or is that someting people usually don't mess with?

You probably want to stick to fine steel wool to clean them up.  It gives you good control to clean them up without making them to shiny. 

Yea, I was kind of thinking 0000 steel wool, if anything.

[Charger-Bodie]

Actually, I believe the arms them selves were satin nickle chrome( think steering wheel spokes ) finished with what I think is a natural aluminum base

wiper blades were this same satin nickle chrome finish

Bill, I always thought they might have been stainless?    Perhaps that is the reason why they can be polished.
I know the base that goes over the pivot is white/pot metal, or aluminum. I'm leaning towards pot metal because it doesn't oxidize like bare aluminum would.

Not 100% sure be them stainless or plated steel and I do not have a magnet here to ck

potmetal base is more likely.
arms

Ive never seen a rusty one,so Id bet on stainless.

Also, you can get correct replacement wiper blades at Napa. They are in thier "Classic" line. They are the same one the resto supply places are selling. The Napa ones are just less money.

[jb666]

Mine are off now, and I was seconds away from posting a new thread about it, when I found this...