Ice scrapers
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Elder User
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From: Seattle
Ice scrapers
Yeah I know, you figure I would have gotten this down after 15 years of driving.
Seems like recently I've been getting those hard frosts that simply resist all attempts at scraping. Normally, its no big deal, scrape the frost and most of it will fly off. Sure there'll be some left on the window but its not a big deal. Lately its like the frost is adhered to the glass and all I seem to do is scrape off the top layer of frost. Can't even penetrate that armor plate of ice until the defrogger has loosened it up some. Feels like I'm gonna bust the back windshield clearing it up.
Then of course there's the inevitable battle of scraping off the mirrors without altering the mirror angles.
I've heard of the trick of using hot water to melt it, I tried that once when it was 20 below. I had the thickest and most slick patch of ice in my driveway and practically killed myself getting in the truck.
Seems like recently I've been getting those hard frosts that simply resist all attempts at scraping. Normally, its no big deal, scrape the frost and most of it will fly off. Sure there'll be some left on the window but its not a big deal. Lately its like the frost is adhered to the glass and all I seem to do is scrape off the top layer of frost. Can't even penetrate that armor plate of ice until the defrogger has loosened it up some. Feels like I'm gonna bust the back windshield clearing it up.
Then of course there's the inevitable battle of scraping off the mirrors without altering the mirror angles.
I've heard of the trick of using hot water to melt it, I tried that once when it was 20 below. I had the thickest and most slick patch of ice in my driveway and practically killed myself getting in the truck.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Calgary, Canada
I don't know what to say but you must be getting some rain at night or something. Some of the scrapers have the gougers on the other side, those usually help break up stuff like that. and, as they say on the rigs "put out on it'. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Originally Posted by eigenvector
...........I've heard of the trick of using hot water to melt it, I tried that once when it was 20 below...........
. Assuming you live in a reasonably safe area and don't park on the street, go buy an extra key, start and lock truck, come back in five minutes and use the key on your keyring to enter the locked/running vehicle and drive away. I'd say furballs right, you're getting light/rain or mist overnight and it's more than just frost you're dealing with. That stuff almost needs to be removed with a chisel 
.
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From: Maine
Yep, been there, done that.
It's still a pain, but it's a lot easier if you've got a good ice scraper. My mother gave me one a couple years ago that's a short handle, about 10", with a blade about 3" wide made of hard plastic that's about 3/16" thick. That'll take off thicker ice more easily than anything else I've used.
Even if you don't crack the windshield, I wouldn't ever use hot water to thaw out ANYTHING that's frozen. It may thaw it out, but the water runs down into places it shouldn't, and refreezes, and you're worse off than before.
It's still a pain, but it's a lot easier if you've got a good ice scraper. My mother gave me one a couple years ago that's a short handle, about 10", with a blade about 3" wide made of hard plastic that's about 3/16" thick. That'll take off thicker ice more easily than anything else I've used.
Even if you don't crack the windshield, I wouldn't ever use hot water to thaw out ANYTHING that's frozen. It may thaw it out, but the water runs down into places it shouldn't, and refreezes, and you're worse off than before.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> I've heard of the trick of using hot water to melt it
Good way to crack a windshield or cause leaks around it. 10 degree plastic getting hit with 125+ degree water does not take it too well.
imo, The plastic used for scrapers today are inferior since the price point seems to be $1.
Good way to crack a windshield or cause leaks around it. 10 degree plastic getting hit with 125+ degree water does not take it too well.
imo, The plastic used for scrapers today are inferior since the price point seems to be $1.
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From: Seattle
Well I guess maybe the scrapers worn out, its seen about 3 seasons. I didn't realize that using hot water was a problem in that it would crack the windshield - and I just thought that huge patch of ice it left on the pavement was the problem.
As to those ice breakers on the back of the scraper - I always assumed those were stiffeners for the scaper blade. I never thought to turn it over and try to break it up that way. Either way, time to spend another 3 bucks for a new scaper.
As to those ice breakers on the back of the scraper - I always assumed those were stiffeners for the scaper blade. I never thought to turn it over and try to break it up that way. Either way, time to spend another 3 bucks for a new scaper.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: more north than south
Got an ice scraper at walmart a few years ago, it has a thin brass colored metal blade that works great and does not scratch the glass.
Luckily I don't have to use it much as my wife will start the truck on her way out the driveway. Boy am I lucky.
V X
Luckily I don't have to use it much as my wife will start the truck on her way out the driveway. Boy am I lucky.
V X
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From: Seattle
Originally Posted by V X
Got an ice scraper at walmart a few years ago, it has a thin brass colored metal blade that works great and does not scratch the glass.
Luckily I don't have to use it much as my wife will start the truck on her way out the driveway. Boy am I lucky.
V X
Luckily I don't have to use it much as my wife will start the truck on her way out the driveway. Boy am I lucky.
V X
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by CowboyBilly9Mile
That's a good way to crack a windshield . Assuming you live in a reasonably safe area and don't park on the street, go buy an extra key, start and lock truck, come back in five minutes and use the key on your keyring to enter the locked/running vehicle and drive away. I'd say furballs right, you're getting light/rain or mist overnight and it's more than just frost you're dealing with. That stuff almost needs to be removed with a chisel .
. Assuming you live in a reasonably safe area and don't park on the street, go buy an extra key, start and lock truck, come back in five minutes and use the key on your keyring to enter the locked/running vehicle and drive away. I'd say furballs right, you're getting light/rain or mist overnight and it's more than just frost you're dealing with. That stuff almost needs to be removed with a chisel .
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
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From: Cloverdale, BC
I had to scrape for the first time this season a couple weeks ago. Once was enough. So I moved some stuff around in my garage, and I park in there now. Somewhat warm truck, well, not cold, no frost to scrape.
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From: Seattle
Man, I'd have a hard time getting a Cooper Mini (the real ones, not that dumb modern wannabe) in my garage. The door is 8 feet wide, I might get my Ranger in there if I drove carefully, but there's no way I'd get out without ripping the mirrors off. At 5 am, I just don't drive that straight.
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From: Seattle
Originally Posted by CowboyBilly9Mile
That's a good way to crack a windshield . Assuming you live in a reasonably safe area and don't park on the street, go buy an extra key, start and lock truck, come back in five minutes and use the key on your keyring to enter the locked/running vehicle and drive away. I'd say furballs right, you're getting light/rain or mist overnight and it's more than just frost you're dealing with. That stuff almost needs to be removed with a chisel .
. Assuming you live in a reasonably safe area and don't park on the street, go buy an extra key, start and lock truck, come back in five minutes and use the key on your keyring to enter the locked/running vehicle and drive away. I'd say furballs right, you're getting light/rain or mist overnight and it's more than just frost you're dealing with. That stuff almost needs to be removed with a chisel .
Post Fiend
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From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by eigenvector
I actually can't do that where I am, it's illegal in my area to warm up the vehicles unattended. Something about a rash of car thefts due to people starting up the cars and walking away. Not that I would let a law like that stop me from doing it, its just that with my luck I'd close the door, lock the deadbolt, unlock the truck, start the engine, lock the door and close it, then discover I forgot the other set of keys and have to put my new back door to the boot test.
We have "unattended vehicle" laws here in NC too, but only enforceable in public areas (gas stations, stores, etc.).....NOT in private driveways......