Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Crowbar: Bad Choice for Scraping the Windshield

Need a last minute idea for a stocking stuffer?  Consider giving an ice scraper.

It seems that a lot of people lack this most basic need for road safety during the winter.  An image search for unusual methods of scraping ice off car windows finds people using a credit card, a college ID, a snow shovel, and, most ironically, a tube of sun screen.


To further emphasize the point, Glass Doctor of Virginia Beach sent over a list of do's and don'ts for getting the windows frost free.  The tools they advise not using:  hot water, keys, vinegar, a blow torch, and a crowbar.

Eight Do's and Don'ts for De-icing the Windshield, courtesy of Glass Doctor.

DO: Pour cold water to gradually melt the ice on a “sealed,” frozen door.

DON’T: Pour hot water on the vehicle's windshield and windows to melt the ice. The extreme temperature change can cause the glass to break.

DO: Start the vehicle and use the defroster setting to warm the glass. Wait at least five minutes for the glass to warm up.

DON’T: Try to “unseal” the door by using a hair dryer, cigarette lighter, ice pick, screwdriver, propane torch or portable heater.

DO: Use a plastic ice scraper and a soft plastic bristle brush or broom to clear the ice once it starts melting. A squeegee also helps.

DON’T: Scrape the ice off the windshield with a metal ice scraper, key, spatula, utility knife or crowbar. The metal scratches and cuts grooves in the glass.

DO: Make sure no ice or snow is obstructing the vehicle’s tailpipe. If it is covered, remove the ice or snow to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.

DON’T: Pour a mixture of vinegar and water on the windshield. Vinegar eats pits into the windshield glass.

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