Any good windshield ice "hacks?" - there HAS to be a better way

[Aunt Carol]

Same story as everyone: park outside at work, drive home in the wee hours, lazy.

I know about putting a blanket or something over the window before it freezes. I do that when I'm home, but my car already collects moisture so I worry about throwing a damp towel into the back while I blast the heater. Keeping a wet blanket in a sealed container is just starting a mold farm.

It's not bad enough here (and I'm not lazy enough) to call for that spray-can de-icer, especially not every single night.

 

[Cyberpunk Panatela]

Best solution I've found is to put rain repellent wax on the windscreen and back window (local trade name is C-Thru, probably called something else in the US) which stops condensation from staying on the windscreen.

Pouring lukewarm water over the ice to melt it also works if you can't get something like that.

I'd advise against a heat gun or similar implement - my uncle tried that and his windscreen bent and popped out of the holder.

 

[Postal_Rat]

Have you tried moving to a warmer climate? Ever since I moved to Mexico I haven't had a car to de-ice

 

[Aunt Carol]

To help prevent moisture buildup, use rainx or some other hydrophobic sealant. If you don't have any or are too poor (not judging, I get it), cut a spud in half and rub the exposed inside part on the windshield. The sugar and starches perform a similar, if less effective, function as the rainx.

I have Rain-x on my shopping list, but man, something about "use a potato" is really enticing.

Concerned it's just a trick to have a gang of Irish steal my windshield, though.

I do it in big batches, 2 quarts of isopropyl alcohol to 1 quart water. I do this because it's cheaper to buy the bigger bottles of alcohol and the one quart ones make the most sense. Mix well and just fill up any spray bottle you have and go to town.

Tried this out, but of course the ice wasn't heavy on the night I was ready for it. It did make it a snap to clean.

(It'll get colder and wetter as the winter wears on, but I'm trying to, like, get prepared for once.)

 

[A Cardboard Box]

I have Rain-x on my shopping list, but man, something about "use a potato" is really enticing.

Concerned it's just a trick to have a gang of Irish steal my windshield, though.

Kek. No it's legit. If you do it, have high quality paper towels or a rag on hand that won't leave bits of paper or fiber and wipe away any starch lines the potato leaves. It dries clear and helps prevent condensation, similar to Rain-X.

 

[Just A Fat Round Bird]

You are all overthinking this..
No windshield, no ice on it.
Big thunk

 

[A-Stump]

I've used one of those aluminum space blankets to cover up my windshield. It won't mold, is easy to fit into place, and can be stored very easily.

 

[TheRetardKing]

Try pissing on it.

 

[DankSmoker]

Own a home with a garage, loser.

Yeah well what do you do when ice gets on your garage??

 

[JethroTullamore]

Yeah well what do you do when ice gets on your garage??

Personally, I’d fix the roof.

 

[Aunt Carol]

I've used one of those aluminum space blankets to cover up my windshield. It won't mold, is easy to fit into place, and can be stored very easily.

Oh, this sounds clever. Where I work, a hobo might take it, but I'll try it.

 

[Pimpleking55]

Works amazing, you never have frosted windows ever.