By Baxter Overman | March 7, 2026 in You can restore trim…but what about those faded windshield wiper arms? Trim restore products aren’t designed for metal, and a factory replacement can get expensive. So today, I’ll walk you through how to restore faded windshield wiper arms and link to products I used that you can add to your cart as we go.
I re-painted my metal Jeep Wrangler TJ wiper arms for this project, but this restoration process works for other makes and models too. Even plastic wiper arms.
Step 1: Remove the wiper arms from your vehicle
Many wiper arms can be removed from the vehicle by pulling out a retaining tab at the base of the wiper arm; this allows you to hinge the wiper and lift the entire wiper assembly from the vehicle. Some wiper arms contain a cap you’ll need to take off (and a screw), so just check your vehicle’s removal instructions.
Step 2: Clean the wiper arms using a brush and a degreaser
I used Dawn dish soap to remove oils, grease, and grime from the wiper blade. While I never recommend using dish soap for car cleaning, it is effective at stripping oils and wax. Just be sure to rinse off completely.
Apply soap to an old detailing brush, preferably one with medium bristles for agitation. Scrub thoroughly. You can also use steel wool if you prefer. Let dry.
Step 3: Scuff with sandpaper to prep for paint
Before painting, use 500-800 grit sandpaper to scuff the surface; scuffing helps the adhesion promoter bond to the metal surface a bit better before painting.
Sanding isn’t absolutely essential if an adhesion promoter is used, but sanding or wet-sanding does help remove surface imperfections or raised areas you don’t want paint to cover. If your wiper arms are plastic, be careful not to damage them, since plastic tends to get brittle when dried and faded. Inspect the surface of the arm for any dried tar or glue that may need removing.
Once the surface is scuffed, let the wiper arms dry and hang them up for painting.
Step 4: Hang the wiper arms in a well-ventilated area or paint booth
If it’s not windy or dusty outside, you can technically paint them outside, but I would recommend painting indoors if possible (assuming you have adequate ventilation). To avoid overspray, you can use plastic sheeting to create a small phone booth structure to contain the paint droplets. Again, use your best judgement here and wear a particulate respirator or mask if painting indoors for safety.
Suspending your wiper arms in the air will allow for better coverage when you paint (no flipping over needed). Hang them up by the hooks designed to snap onto the actual wiper blades.
For painting with spray paint, I do recommend using a plastic grip attachment that snaps onto the can. This little device really helped me apply small, even coats of primer and paint. A trigger makes it so much easier to control the paint flow when using spray paint cans.
Rust-Oleum Spray Paint Can Grip Attachment
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Step 5: Apply 2 coats of adhesion promoter before painting
Once the wiper arms are hanging, apply 2 light coats of a primer that promotes adhesion. This creates a stickier surface for proper paint bonding. Wait several hours before applying a second coat. Some paints also contain a primer, but I do recommend multiple coats of a dedicated adhesion promoter to better protect the paint from chipping.
Rust-Oleum Adhesion Promoter
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Step 6: Apply 3-4 light coats of spray paint
For painting, I recommend automotive-grade paint like the Rust-Oleum line (readily available at my local Lowe’s). You can always match to the unfaded underside of the arm (or an unfaded trim piece). Pay attention to the paint finish (gloss, semi-gloss, or matte) depending on the look you prefer. I chose flat black.
Rust-Oleum Acrylic Enamel Spray Paint
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This product works on plastic and metal automotive surfaces, including wiper arms.
Spray on several extremely light coats, trying not to overlap previously painted areas (I can’t stress this enough); too much paint can run, creating ridges when dry. If you do notice paint runs after the first coat, you can sand down the high spots before applying a second coat. Wait a few hours between coats.
Step 7: Let dry and re-install
You can technically add a clear coat to your freshly painted wiper arms for added UV protection, which will help protect the paint. My Jeep’s wiper arms came from the factory with a matte finish, so I chose not to.
This trim painting process works well on fender flares and bumpers too. Check out our other detailing guides if you’re a beginner looking to restore an older vehicle. Best of luck!
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