CAR owners have been warned against a DIY windscreen de-icing hack that could result in an expensive repair bill.
Winter weather has begun to blanket parts of North, Central, and West Texas with ice and snow, meaning many motorists across the state – and indeed, the country – will need to de-ice their windscreens before hitting the road.
Car owners have been warned against a DIY windscreen de-icing trick[/caption]
Of course, the easiest method is to simply use your car’s automatic climate control system[/caption]
Thankfully, AAA Texas has revealed their best tips to prevent and remove windscreen ice.
The easiest method is to simply use your car’s automatic climate control system and set it to defrost.
If your car has an electrically-heated windscreen, turn it on to quickly clear the ice.
However, for those who can’t use this type of technology, drivers can opt for a commercial glass de-icer spray, which typically contains methanol.
Although these products can be pricey and may contain pet-hazardous ethylene glycol, they are effective.
A homemade de-icing solution works just as well and is made of one part isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and two parts water.
Adding a few drops of dish soap can help the mixture spread more evenly.
After spraying this mixture onto the windscreen, drivers can use a plastic scraper, a rubber squeegee, or a soft bristle brush to remove the ice as it begins to melt.
However, AAA Texas advises against using metal scrapers, as they can scratch the glass and damage the wiper blades.
They also suggest avoiding the use of hot water, which can crack the glass due to thermal shock.
Moreover, tapping on the ice with a hammer or other tool can also damage the windscreen, and using a torch is an incredibly bad idea.
Other, less obvious ways drivers can damage their vehicles in the winter include using vinegar-based pretreatments, alcohol-based de-icing solutions, and dishwashing soap.
While not directly harmful to car paint, these substances can remove car wax and leave the finish exposed to the elements and corrosive chemicals, such as road salts used in the winter.
In general, repairs to cars, from bodywork to windscreen replacement, can be costly – especially at this time of year.
In some cases, drivers may be forced to pay out $1,000s to repair their vehicles this winter by making silly, de-icing mistakes.
This comes as another car expert has shared their top tip to quickly clear ice from vehicle windows on cold winter mornings.
In the colder months, drivers are faced with the daily challenge of de-icing their cars – leaving them running the risk of being late for work or school.
Ed Colley, Head of Brand and Marketing at UK-based window repair and replacement service Autoglass, shared a method that he said works great – using a simple rain-repellent spray on the car’s windshield the night before temperatures drop.
“The best bet for clearing the frost is to use a proper ice scraper, which can remove the ice efficiently without scratching the glass,” he said.
“For those who are really prepared, applying a rain repellent to your windscreen the night before will limit the water sitting on the glass and can make de-icing your windscreen much easier and quicker.”
Drivers can find the product Rain-X Original Treatment in a 3.5 oz bottle at stores such as Walmart for less than $4.
