What's the deal with the V1 suction cups?

[partsfreak]

Windex could well the be the problem. It leaves a residue that is often quite visible, and most careful car detailers never use the stuff. Try to clean the window with another cleaner designed for auto windows, or, even better, a "glass polish" such as that made by Zaino. This will leave the window clean and the suction cups will adhere the first time and stay in place. I have had the suction cup holders on my two cars for years at a time without incident and frequently move the V1 in and out.

I found this to be true as well. The only way I have been able to get my windows spotless clean is to wash them with a new dishwashing sponge and water just like cleaning dishes. Then dry with a clean towel. I wont let anyone smoke in the car either. The film it leaves on the windows is hell to get off.

[Offshore]

I had to give my windshield a good cleaning with a micro fiber cloth, seems to have done the trick....good luck!

[Space Wrangler]

Just go to your local craft store and buy a bunch of them for about $2 so you can just swap them out

Adams brand suction cups (available at Michaels and Hobby lobby) work great. They seem to be higher quality than the originals and last alot longer. They fit a little tight in the mount but will work. You also loose the little "release bar", but the Adams cups have a pull tab for release.

[Radar]

Mine have stayed up surprisingly well, coming down only once or twice over 4-1/2 months.

Well, make that 2 or 3 times over 5 months. It came loose again yesterday. I just put some bottled water on them and put them right back where they were before, which is what I did before. We'll see how long they last.

[swarga]

Just recently my V1 suction cups have been failing.

Yeah, they suck - and not in a good way.

That's why I use a Voztech mount which bolts to my windshield frame.

[Radar]

Just recently my V1 suction cups have been failing.

Yeah, they suck - and not in a good way.

That's why I use a Voztech mount which bolts to my windshield frame.

Ok, you got my interest. I searched the Voztech. Looks cool. Unfortunately, what I found is:

"This bracket attaches to the passengers visor clip placing it just under the tint line on the windshield, while making it less visible from outside of the car."

Presently, I have my V1 installed within the tint line, so the Voztech would put it lower than it is now. Not good. More visible.

Also, I only found them mentioned only in the context of vettes.

I can live with resetting them once a month for a year and then replacement at $1.00.

[OPTiK]

I just blow on mine like when people blow on their glasses to create a water mist layer that they wipe off, except I don't wipe if off. I just attach it to the windshield right after. I've had my bracket on my windshield for at least 9 months without any issues, in both the summer and winter.

[Radar]

I just blow on mine like when people blow on their glasses to create a water mist layer that they wipe off, except I don't wipe if off. I just attach it to the windshield right after. I've had my bracket on my windshield for at least 9 months without any issues, in both the summer and winter.

Okay Mae West

[calpalmer]

I don't know what makes my 6-year old V1 so different... I ran it in my old BMW for several years and now 2+ years in my new one, and not once have the cups failed! Cold, hot, you name it, they've never come loose unless I told them to. I don't use windex etc on the glass, just clear ammonia in hot water.

Cal

[OldGoat]

I don't know what makes my 6-year old V1 so different... I ran it in my old BMW for several years and now 2+ years in my new one, and not once have the cups failed! Cold, hot, you name it, they've never come loose unless I told them to. I don't use windex* etc on the glass, just clear ammonia in hot water.

I do the same thing, except it IS glass-cleaner*, and I get similar results

Windex* cuts greasy film, but evaporates to quick for any flushing(or buffing) action.
Water flushes well, but can't break-down the greasy film.
The 'solution' is a mixture of the two.
I start with a fairly damp cloth(soft Oregon water), add a couple trigger-pulls of Windex*; gently work the Windex* into the the cloth, forming a weak cleaning-solution. Lightly scrub the area, refold the cloth to a 1) cleaner area and 2) even weaker solution. re-apply, leaving the area very moist. Buff dry with a nearly sterile [grease and body-oil free] cloth, re-folding if necessary, to a clean dry area.

Using the same two cloths, clean the suction cups.

Mount it - Forget it - -


*any quality glass-cleaner
dish-soap also works well, but must be very weak