If you've had trouble seeing through your windshield during this dark rainy week, it's probably not just your eyes. Have you checked your wiper blades lately?

If you are shopping for wiper blades, consider the Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency blades. These are curved beam blades, which I prefer because they hug the glass more and have a more uniform swipe. Also, the synthetic blend rubber squeegee that Rain-X uses has a water-repelling coating that is transferred onto the windshield as the wipers do their job. The coating should last for months, the company says.

There is some science to treating automotive glass with a water repellent. According to a study by the University of Michigan, the application of a hydrophobic treatment to the windshield (under simulated rainy conditions) significantly improved the driver's visibility and decreased the driver's response time to recognize a simple target. The results showed that the improvement in response time was greater than 1 second on average, which translates to more than 88 feet of travel at 62 mph.

Rain-X says that their Latitude wipers are available for 96 percent of all vehicles. Prices range from $14 to $21 online or at auto parts stores.

And for added protection, use Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner with Rain Repellent wipes for just $6. While the Rain-X water-repelling wipers benefit the windshield, try these wipes for the side glass, side mirrors and tailgate glass. Be sure to treat the tailgate wiper blade, too. And if El Nino persists, use the wipes to re-treat the windshield.

Power of Five

WD-40, a favorite company among auto enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers, has a task-kicking elixir that's available in five forms to bust those rusty widgets loose:

—The Controller: This Trigger Pro pump gives you more control over the spray and less mess.

—The Enforcer: A Big Blast 18-ounce aerosol can with a wide nozzle for large surface areas.

—The Multi-Tasker: The Smart Straw 12-ounce aerosol can with a plastic straw that sprays in a narrow stream or a wider spray.

—The Flexer: The EZ-REACH is a 14.4-ounce spray can with an 8-inch flexible metal tube that holds its position for pinpoint streaming around corners and other knuckle-scraping areas.

—The Soaker: A one-gallon product that can wash away any problem.

And are you aware that WD-40 makes a variety of other products, such as Rust-Release Penetrant Spray, Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray and Industrial-Strength Degreaser? If you believe in the power of WD-40, post a photo on the Power of 5 page on WD-40's website, or hashtag #WD40PowerOf5 on social media posts.

Plastic Fantastic

I used to say that your car isn't fully dressed until its tires are scrubbed, dressed and returned to a like-new black color. But now, with all the plastic trim, shrouds and guards on cars, I have to add that your car isn't ready for show until the trim and tires are cleaned and dressed.

I've tried various brands of trim renew products; they work fairly well but only for a short time. Most are sprayed, wiped off and then slightly buffed with a clean towel.

The Black Shine Trim Restorer from Griot's Garage is a little different and requires a little more effort, and sometimes, more surface prep. But the results are worth it. The restorer is a secret recipe of polymers to revive weathered hard plastic, rubber and vinyl bumpers and trim pieces. The 8-ounce bottle is about $15 and includes an applicator pad.

It is easy enough to use, but you should follow the directions anyway and take time to clean the trim well so the restorer can penetrate. I tested it on my 2008 Ford Escape, which sits outside more than it's covered or in the garage. I loaded up the applicator pad and worked the product onto the panels, corners and crevices. It dries to the touch in about 20 minutes but takes overnight to cure. The final result is a satiny smooth finish and black color.

If you do this, you'll definitely look back at your car at least once as you walk away.

Best of Show

I hadn't used paste wax on a car in years since converting to modern good-quality wax with nanoparticles that sprays on and wipes off like furniture polish. How many of us remember the white crusty residue that paste wax leaves? Technologies have evolved and so has paste wax. Best of Show wax is a crusty residue killer.

The Griot's Garage Best of Show Paste Wax is made with carnauba wax and polymers. Griot's says "the formula provides rich bold colors and clarity that will be noticed and appreciated by neighbors and concours judges alike." That all depends on the quality of your vehicle's paint, but a little of this wax goes a long way. And it's easy to wipe off — you won't have to use a toothbrush to get excess wax between panels. Griot's recommends applying it by hand, as I did. But I expect that someone with skilled hands using a buffer would do an even better job. A 9.5-ounce tin is $25. Call or visit the Griot's Garage website to order.

Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency blades.

Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner with Rain Repellent wipes.

WD-40's five-part task-kicking elixir system.

Griot's Garage Black Shine Trim Restorer.

Mark Maynard is online at [email protected]. Find photo galleries and more news at Facebook.com/MaynardsGarage. To find out more about Mark Maynard and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Robert Couse-Baker