Pretty sure they are as I have one of each.
The Gen 1 is a heavier material than the Gen 2 and also the gen 1 is shaped differently at the wiper shaft hole area. But other than that I think they will mount up to each other.
A further weight savings for my Gen 1?!
The bubbling paint usually occurs in ther rivet areas. My question is...what is the rivet "riveted" to? Is it holding the insulation material?