DIY glass defroster
Content
Defroster for glass - a tool that can quickly melt ice, frost or snow. Often this liquid is also called "anti-ice", although this is not entirely true. The prefix “anti-“ means that the reagent should prevent the formation of frost, and not its removal. But, nevertheless, it is worth considering both types. All have the same goal - good visibility in winter. In addition, the compositions of liquids have common components.
in order to defrost frosted glass, you need an active solution that has a very low freezing point. Usually such products contain isopropyl or other alcohol. At home, the properties of salt and vinegar are also often used.
Why is this needed and why is this happening?
The anti-icer is used in order to fastand remove ice from glass without damage. Yes, of course, you can also use a scraper, but ... Firstly, it is not always advisable (after freezing rain), secondly, it takes longer and, thirdly, you can damage the glass. A good visibility — guarantee of safety on the road. Therefore, the driver needs to clean the windshield and at least part of the rear, front side and always mirrors.
On those machines where there is a built-in heated mirrors and rear window, you just need to turn on the appropriate mode and remove thawed ice with a soft rag. But for the front defroster, it is simply necessary for all car owners.
Why do windows get covered with ice?
Someone may ask: “Why do windows freeze over at all? Why do you have to get up early every day and go clean your car windshield?” I arrived at work in the winter, left the car for several hours, returned, and the glass was covered in frost. every time you have to scrape off.
In winter, drivers turn on the stove, which naturally heats the interior, including windows. Therefore, during cooling, either condensation forms (which subsequently freezes), or, if it snows, water crystals melt in the form of snow, and then turn into an ice crust.
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How can you defrost glass?
Not many drivers struggle with the freezing of windows in the car with special means. They prefer to defrost in the old fashioned way - blowing warm air from the windshield from the stove and turning on the heating in the back. But in vain, because if you produce everything in a complex, it will be much faster.
Absolutely all car owners struggle with icy glass with the help of a machine stove, but caution is needed here! When directing the air flow only to the windshield, select the slowest and coolest setting.
By the way, cracking of glass awaits you even if it is heated with hot water. Watering the glass from the kettle, whether it be windshield or side, is STRICTLY IMPOSSIBLE!
So, how can you overcome frozen glass? Firstly, really carefully use the standard features, and secondly, buy special winter chemicals - an aerosol in a can can both prevent icing and remove ice that has already formed. The most budget option make anti-ice with your own hands.
The essence of any composition is the presence of an additive that can lower the freezing point. Various alcohols are just that. For example: isopropyl, ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol and methanol (the last two with caution, as they are harmful to humans). Since they are very volatile, auxiliary ingredients are added to keep them on the surface. Such as glycerin, oily additives (although they leave streaks) and some others.
Popular practice says that not only alcohol can be defrost. To remove the already formed icing successfully used vinegar, table salt and even bar of laundry soap. True, soap is used as “anti-ice”, in order to prevent freezing. The main requirement for soap is that it must be “household”.
Is it possible to make a glass defroster with your own hands?
Self-preparation of liquid for defrosting car glass
Almost all proposed defrosters have a common active ingredient - alcohol. So you can easily prepare your own ice remover at home. It is only important to observe the proportions, as well as to find the appropriate type of alcohol-containing liquid. And folk remedies do not have to be specially prepared at all. You just take it in your hands and rub the glass of the car, so that something does not freeze and the ice melts.
In most cases, a do-it-yourself defroster will not only be as efficient as a store-bought one, but also almost completely free. Suffice it to recall the school chemistry course.
5 recipes on how and with what to prepare a car glass defroster
The best option is mix pure isopropyl with pure ethyl alcohol. But where to get it, that isopropyl? Therefore, it is better to use more affordable means. So, do-it-yourself glass defroster can be prepared if you have:
Salt
To prepare the solution, you will need two tablespoons per 1 glass of water of ordinary table salt. After soaking a soft sponge with such a saline solution, wipe the glass until the frost and ice come off it. Then wipe dry with a soft cloth.
It is best to pour the salts into a roll of gauze and apply to the glass, so there will definitely be no contact with the paint or rubber seals. True, stains may appear, which are then removed with a dry cloth.
Ethanol
You can use a liquid containing a sufficient concentration of ethyl alcohol. The solution is evenly applied for a couple of minutes and then the remaining ice must be removed with a rag. Both technical and food (ethyl) alcohol are suitable. Usually in a pharmacy for such purposes they buy hawthorn tincture. But in general, this does not matter, any alcohol-containing solution will do.
Antifreeze + alcohol
Often, “anti-freeze” is simply sprinkled on the glass, although it is only suitable in cases of light frost, otherwise it will only get worse. This liquid is an aqueous solution of isopropyl. In fact, it was created in order not to freeze quickly, but only on already WARM glass, during cleaning in motion. So, if you try to remove the snow, it will only turn into a dense ice crust. It is better to supplement such a tool with C₂H₅OH concentrate.
Glass cleaner + alcohol
A fairly effective glass defrosting agent can be prepared from a spray for washing glass surfaces and alcohol. The maximum result is achieved in a ratio of 2:1. For example, 200 ml. alcohol add 100-150 grams of glass liquid. In very severe frosts, you can also produce 1: 1, in order not to get the opposite effect.
You can use the mixture in the morning to defrost ice by spraying through a spray bottle.
Vinegar solution
You can also dissolve ice on glass and car mirrors with ordinary 9-12% vinegar. The freezing point of acetic solution is below -20 °C (60% acetic essence freezes at -25 degrees Celsius).
The most shocking liquid that you can prepare with your own hands to quickly defrost glass is a cocktail of alcohol (95%), vinegar (5%) and salt (1 tbsp per liter).
You can use all the tips even without a spray bottle, simply by pouring the solutions on a frozen surface or a cloth towel for wiping. The only drawback is that liquids are used up faster.
If you have tested these and other methods for removing ice crust or preventing icing, please leave your feedback. Write in the comments to share your experience, do not be selfish!
How to make a defroster or de-icer with your own hands?
in order to quickly prepare an effective liquid reagent that can melt ice, follow the visual step-by-step instructions:
Effect after application
As a result, having done everything according to the instructions, we get a decent effect and almost for nothing. For clarity, see the comparison before and after processing:
Author: Ivan Matieshin
