MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: bodger00 on October 10, 2010, 09:05:18 pm

Title: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: bodger00 on October 10, 2010, 09:05:18 pm
Winter is coming and I am going to try and avoid Mrs B scratching the window screen again with the scraper.

What does everyone else use?

I have used a cover before but found that the ice still form beneath it. Perhaps I am using a crap cover?

 :confused:
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: S2 Ant on October 10, 2010, 11:13:26 pm
Might not be the best way, but i tend to use the wipers to wipe off any lose snow, then turn them off and just let the car idle with the heater on the screen to clear it.
Dont like using De-Icer and this way usually only takes a few minutes
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: scotta on October 10, 2010, 11:16:59 pm
Winter is coming and I am going to try and avoid Mrs B scratching the window screen again with the scraper.

What does everyone else use?

I have used a cover before but found that the ice still form beneath it. Perhaps I am using a crap cover?

 :confused:

I let it idle for a bit and use the heater usually.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: winrya on October 11, 2010, 07:43:50 am
If I'm at home I simply put just slightly warn water in a watering can and just clear each window as I walk around the car. Do it on both our cars and have done for years
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: LouCyffer on October 11, 2010, 08:27:28 am
If I'm at home I simply put just slightly warn water in a watering can and just clear each window as I walk around the car. Do it on both our cars and have done for years

Ditto. Barely tepid water shifts it well. An old towel across the windscreen the night before works very well if you are able to.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: Mandy on October 11, 2010, 09:15:39 am
My bf bought me some Rain X rain repellent and works really well, water just beads and flies off the windscreen! It says it also repels sleet and snow, I'm guessing all you'd have to do in the morning is use the wipers and it should all sweep off- not tried it myself yet. 
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: stealthwolf on October 11, 2010, 09:28:44 am
+1 for warm-ish water. Hot water can crack the windows but warm water will help melt the snow/ice without much hassle.

I personally do use a scraper but I do use it with light to moderate pressure only and tend to use the foam side when most of the ice is off.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: keith on October 11, 2010, 11:53:08 am
I bought one of those covers that tuck in behind the doors and covers the front screen generally its ok. You can get snow brushes to use on your car that are paintwork safe.

The rain-x is good for on the go when its teaming down the rain flys off. as for stopping snow and ice forming while parked i couldn't say but think you would need to keep up on the aplications of it to get results.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: chip20 on October 11, 2010, 12:47:04 pm
You shouldn't use you windscreen wipers to remove the snow.
It cause the motor to burn out due to much weight!
And it also knackers your blades up if ice on screen!!!
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: apollo13 on October 11, 2010, 01:06:09 pm
+1 more on the slightly warm water.

My windscreen and drivers side window are scratched due to the previous owner, just didnt notice it when i bought the car but does my head in now!

Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: Gene Hunt on October 11, 2010, 01:19:22 pm
When at home it lives in the garage,when on nights it's wipers in service position & a big thick carboard box placed under wipers.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: treesimon on October 11, 2010, 04:04:01 pm
I also wondering it's best to leave the wiper in the service position because when the conditions are freezing on starting the car the wipers move a few mm's in the lay down position.
The screen can be cleared of ice using warmish water. But the wiper pivot point could still be frozen up?
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: icenutter on October 11, 2010, 08:34:34 pm
Another vote for hot water - just out the hot tap.  I normally put it in the kettle though as it makes a nice handy jug.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: Edition30 on October 17, 2010, 01:11:13 am
How do you put it in service mode?
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: stealthwolf on October 17, 2010, 06:32:34 am
turn the key in the ignition to turn on the electrics (but not start the car), then turn it back and take the key out. Immediately, press the wiper stalk down. The wipers will then move to the centre of the windscreen.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: dmkay_80 on October 29, 2010, 07:16:41 pm
I have always used a scraper in the past but my last car ended up with scratches on the screen. Might try the water trick this year
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: vRS Carl on October 29, 2010, 08:36:08 pm
I used to use De-Icer and scraper then saw the light and for about the past 10 years have just used luke warm water. Even in Germany when it used to drop to -15.

Car de-snowed & de-iced in about 10 secs flat. :happy2:

Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: ILoveTuna on October 29, 2010, 09:23:49 pm
Park mine in the garage, combats the snow nicely...  :signLOL:
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: stumk5 on October 30, 2010, 05:58:00 pm
A garage is ideal, works every time for me :happy2:
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: jhtrophy on October 30, 2010, 08:52:23 pm
why do i like having a cup of tea outside on a frosty morning while car warms up to melt ice? and while im on it, why do i love condensation coming over rear windscreen when im sat at traffic lights in winter? or is that just my stupid rear end on meg :signLOL:
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: dmkay_80 on October 31, 2010, 10:28:18 pm
Ive heard that hot water over the screen can crack it. How warm do you get it?
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: LouCyffer on November 01, 2010, 07:02:12 am
'Hand warm'. Not hot, and certainly not just boiled. As a few of us have said in this thread, it needs to be tepid.

When water & ice are mixed, the temperature rapidly attains 0 celcius, ie the melting point of water. Having the water a bit warmer keeps the temperature above 0 for longer so that the ice thaws quicker.

Simples.
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: redgem on November 01, 2010, 01:12:43 pm
Rain X does help it stops the screen freezing up when its frosty.You have to apply it regularly  :happy2:
Title: Re: What do you use to remove snow/ice?
Post by: Gene Hunt on November 01, 2010, 01:14:50 pm
why do i like having a cup of tea outside on a frosty morning while car warms up to melt ice? and while im on it, why do i love condensation coming over rear windscreen when im sat at traffic lights in winter? or is that just my stupid rear end on meg :signLOL:
...........''yes'' mate,stupied rear end on the meg  :signLOL: