Wiper Arm Restoration

[Norm C.]

One of the washing tubes detached from the wiper arm. Looking at both arms, now may be the right time to have them restored. I searched the archives,,, found great resources for wiper motors, but none for the arms. Wiper Restore looks great, but again they only do pumps and motors. Did not look back beyond 5yrs as they may not be in business today. Who are the better RECENT wiper arm restorers today? Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations!! Norm

[Alan S.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi Norm.
I don't think I've heard/read of anyone that restores the 70-72 arms and tubes.
While a thin coat of semi-flat paint would do an o.k. job on the arms, I don't think they had a typical painted finish on them originally.
The black finish appears to be VERY thin and very hard. I've come across the terms "black chromium" and "black sodium dichromate" but don't know if, or how, they might apply to 70-72 arms.
There is also continuing discussion about the finish on the washer tubes which appears to me to be manganese phosphate.
I'd be interested in hearing the thoughts of others!
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Alan,
The print for arms calls for some parts to be "black chromium to meet GM 6033-M" other parts are to be "black sodium dichromate." You are correct that none of the parts on original arms are painted.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

FYI, Ron Goduti had me inspect my arms to answer a question he had. The tubes appeared to have been soldered to the main arm after they were colored, as there is zero coloring on the solder at all. Yes, I realize that the solder might not "take" the black chromium and that's why it appears this way. However, I'm just giving an observation of my car. I have photos of the solder at home, but not here at work.

[Alan S.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi,
After taking a close look at the tubes, the small bracket they're soldered to, and the rivet that attaches the tube/bracket to the arm, I think the tube was soldered to the bracket; then the tube/bracket were plated (phosphate), and then the tube/bracket was riveted to the arm.
I think the silver color of the solder is now visible just because it's a different material than the tube or bracket. Maybe the phosphate NEVER 'took' on the solder. Patrick describes this in his post #4
Note the color of the rivet for the tube/bracket compared to the color rivet that positions the tip on the arm. I think that tip and rivet where in place on the arm when it received it's black finish.
Also, I'm curious about the finish on 'Screw A' and the rivet that the arm's head swings on. When I first remove the underside shield the finishes were as shown. How did the visible on the outside areas of the screw and rivet get to be black, when the hidden part of the screw and rivet aren't. Were they painted to blend with the plated arm?
???
Regards,
Alan

[Ken C.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

I had Lyle Chamberlain restore mine. He's a member here. Was about 3 yrs ago.

[Mark D.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Lyle does awesome work. He's done several for me. Pete Lindahl can set you up with the blades, if judging is a concern.

[Terry M.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi,
After taking a close look at the tubes, the small bracket they're soldered to, and the rivet that attaches the tube/bracket to the arm, I think the tube was soldered to the bracket; then the tube/bracket were plated (phosphate), and then the tube/bracket was riveted to the arm.
I think the silver color of the solder is now visible just because it's a different material than the tube or bracket. Maybe the phosphate NEVER 'took' on the solder. Patrick describes this in his post #4
Note the color of the rivet for the tube/bracket compared to the color rivet that positions the tip on the arm. I think that tip and rivet where in place on the arm when it received it's black finish.
Also, I'm curious about the finish on 'Screw A' and the rivet that the arm's head swings on. When I first remove the underside shield the finishes were as shown. How did the visible on the outside areas of the screw and rivet get to be black, when the hidden part of the screw and rivet aren't. Were they painted to blend with the plated arm?
???
Regards,
Alan

I was hoping to avoid all this detail because the plating was done before the arm was assembled, and few of us are likely to be able to do that.

For the most part the rivets and the adjusting screw are the black sodium dichromate and the head and arm are black chromium. There are some parts that I can not identify the note regarding their finish due to the quality of the print, and some parts are otherwise finished, like the spring is to be "music wire GM 58 M cadmium plated GM 4341-M code 20".

I have no clue how any of this helps the restorer, and the judges already know, or should already know, that the arms were plated and not painted. Any paint is reason for a finish deduction. Judging them seems simple enough given we have the entire car to judge and a finite time to do it in.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

The springs should be covered with a thin metal cover with the trico logo. The plastic clips will not hold as the covers have notches in them that grip the clips. Many arms are missing the cover and it results in broken solder joints. I have found the covers laying in the bottom of the wiper pocket.

[Alan S.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi Lyle,
If I may:
In your restoration of the arms what finish do you use to duplicate the black on the original arms?
Regards,
Alan

[Harmon C.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi Lyle,
If I may:
In your restoration of the arms what finish do you use to duplicate the black on the original arms?
Regards,
Alan

I use John Deere blitz black. The tubes on original wipers look to be coated a black color on some arms others are more silver

[Alan S.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi Lyle,
Thanks very much!
Regards,
Alan

PS: I looked at your profile page!….. that's quite a string of 73 awards, over quite a few years!!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi Lyle,
I looked at your profile page!….. that's quite a string of 73 awards, over quite a few years!!

Lyle is "the" man when it comes to 1973s.

[Kevin G.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

The springs should be covered with a thin metal cover with the trico logo. The plastic clips will not hold as the covers have notches in them that grip the clips. Many arms are missing the cover and it results in broken solder joints. I have found the covers laying in the bottom of the wiper pocket.

In comparing original to reproduction arms, it's these covers differences in configuration that are the tell tale sign. They can be judged with a mirror, if you're unable to "touch" the arms.

[Alan S.]

Re: Wiper Arm Restoration

Hi Kevin,
Interesting!
I'm not quite sure what you're referring to.
Is it the TRICO logo?
Is it the configuration of the cover?
Is it something else?
I was aware of the logo's existence and had seen it on both of my arms that still have their original finish.
I have another members arms on which I'm working on the tubes' plating finish.
These arms have had the black finish removed and for the first time I could see the patent information that's also on the covers.
Even knowing it's there it's VERY difficult to see on arms with their original finish even under the best of circumstances. I think that's because the imprint is SO shallow and the black finish conceals it.
Here are 2 pictures…. one obviously of the cover with the finish removed, and one of a cover with it's original finish. I took about 2 dozen photos trying to show the patent info with the black finish…. even on a picture that's enhanced and adjusted it's just hardly visible!
And finally, the patent information is different on the 2 sets of arms. One a Dec. 70 car and the other a Jan. 71 car. ???
The set with the black finish doesn't appear to say Made in U.S.A., but does appear to have CAN patents.
Regards,
Alan

The first cover DOES have the black finish on it.
The second is bright ss.

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