Night Before De-Icer

Posted by: BLT on 19 February 2004

I bought this product from Halfords recently. You spray it on your windscreen at night and it prevents ice from forming on the screen in the morning. It has been developed using "military" technology.
There are only two problems with it, the first is that you have to remember to go out the night before a frosty morning and spray youur car, the second is that it doesn't bloody work!
So if anyone has seen this wonder product and was thinking of making a purchase, don't, it's crap.
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by Markus S
Well, how could it work when it was developed using military technology?
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by greeny
Sounds like a great idea. Pity is doesn't work.

RU sure it's not user error Wink
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by J.N.
The old remedies are the best.

A blanket etc: on the screen.

I hate de-icer and never use it. I just start the car, and get the blower going full tilt on the screen. By the time you've scraped all the windows, you can drive off without it re-freezing.

Mind you; I'm now a flash git with Ford Focus which has a heated front screen.

Wonderful invention. Why don't more cars have it?

Have Ford patented and copyrighted 'their' system?
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by Steve B
I use warm water. It quickly gets rid of the ice and warms the windows sufficiently to prevent misting on the inside until the heater warms up.

The downside is that it the water sometimes runs down into the doors and freezes the locks. There is also the risk of cracking the glass if you use water that is too hot of course.

Steve B
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by Berlin Fritz
I thought it was called Pernod (etc) as one is nicely de-iced once again in the moaning after a rake of water, innit.


Fritz Von Gayparee Big Grin
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by ChrisD
J.N. yeah i believe ford have patented that idea, which sucks cos its a really handy thing to have!

Chris
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by BLT
I've never been that keen on the warm water thing - especially after seeing someone crack their screen using this technique. The heated windscreens are good, although you can see the heater elements in the glass.I guess that this product will join my list of useless automotive products, which includes any putty, paste, tape or device for repairing exhausts and "Liquid Tyre Chain" (anyone remember that one?).
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by blythe
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisD:
J.N. yeah i believe ford have patented that idea, which sucks cos its a really handy thing to have!

Chris


I don't think this is actually the case as a number of years ago (M reg) I had a Range Rover - well before Ford owned them I think and it had a heated windscreen.....

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by long-time-dead
A good alternative to the hot water / heated screen idea is to fill a couple of 2ltr drink bottles with warm (not too hot) water and place these on the dashboard inside the car.

You can leave your car locked and the heat from the bottles thaws the outside without freezing the locks / seals and the inner glass requires minimal heating to demist.

Used it for years - give it a try !
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by BrianD
quote:
The heated windscreens are good, although you can see the heater elements in the glass

I bought a one year old Ford Focus in Jan 2003 and I have to say the elements are invisible. So invisible that when I tried to use it nowt happened. I took it to the dealer who told me that the car had been fitted with a replacement windscreen following the original shattering. The replacement was a cheaper, normal windscreen. Can't understand why anybody would do that, I thought these things are generally paid for my insurance cover.
Posted on: 20 February 2004 by BLT
As an alternative to buying a ford, the McLaren F1 has a very impressive heated front windscreen. A colleague of mine was interviewed for the job of designing the pwer supply (he didn't get the job), the spec was wild - it had to melt a 1/4" layer of ice in something like 30 seconds.
A more economical solution is that Demon Tweeks offer heated front windcreens for several cars including the good old mk2 Escort and the (real not BMW tartwagon) Mini.
Posted on: 20 February 2004 by BrianD
Why don't we just do without windscreens and start wearing helmets and protective clothing?
Posted on: 20 February 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
I'd like to point out that my ultra low-tec Caterham has a heated front screen. This is actually because it has no demisting vents and some sort of demisting apparatus is a legal requirement. A windscreen itself is in fact an optional extra with the car-along with other luxuries such as a heater, and even paint.


Bruce