Window wiper blades - Chrome or?

[mulrik]

A detail question.
Does anyone know how the chrome/metal on the original window wiper blades looked like. Was it bright chrome or a dull metal finish like on the picture? From Mercedes you get the dull metal finish type, but I seem to recall from pictures that the bright chrome is correct.
Anyone?
Ulrik


Download Attachment: Wiperblades.jpg
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'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

[Jonny B]

Check out the thread "Vive le difference" (use the search function) and there is a pretty good description of the different wiper blades. You have an early 250, as do I, and it should have the chrome blades. The satin finish came in at 2980, when the 250 got a whole slew of changes.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Vince Canepa]

The early wiper blades were chrome.  I believe the matte silver finish came about with the mid-cycle changes to the 250SL.  I am certain your ealy 250SL should have the bright chrome blades.  Also, the early blades are larger.  The length was the same, but the refills are larger and the metal blade is larger to accomodate the rubbers.  I recently obtained a set of refills from M-B for my early blades and the refills were very expensive.  I don't know where you can get the early blades.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[waltklatt]

The early wipers were not chromed, but rather polished stainless steel.  There is a difference between the two.  One will never pit or rust or flake while the other will.
Walter Klatt
1967 220SL-diesel-stainless wipers
1963 230SL-gas-none on it at the moment

[Tom230sl]

I agree with Walter, early style wiper arms were stainless steel not chrome.

[Douglas]

Yes, and with this in mind, don't clean your matte silver wiper blades too aggressively with anything abrasive. They'll end up with a mirror finish. (Unless you prefer that, of course.)

[Vince Canepa]

Well of course, Walter is correct about SS versus chrome and perhaps we should have made that clear.  However, that is a nit that really didn't need picking.  If one goes out to find the blades, I don't know of a source that will offer "Chrome" blades versus SS blades.  The correct Bosch blades, if they can be found, are SS.  Much more important, in my opinion, is the physical size of the blades.  The early "bright" blades are substantially larger in physical size.  I haven't seen them anywhere in the past 20 years or more, so if you have them, preserve them.  I am still able to order the refills, but at substantial cost.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[J. Huber]

While we are on wipers -- here's a curious situation. How come every once in a while when I go to start car, the wipers kick on? Since I only drive car in dry weather, it always catches me off guard. (so they were not on during a previous drive)... Any ideas?

James
63 230SL

[rwmastel]

James,
Start the car to make sure the wipers are not engaged.  Turn the car off and remove the key.  Press in on the wiper stalk to engage them.  Put the key in and start the car.  If they come on, then for some reason this switch is working when it shouldn't.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420