Wet Wet Wet (Could be better)

[Bper]

Any good idea's for either stopping or clearing quickly the inside of the windscreen that is wet after clearing the ice off the front and defrosting the screen. It seems to take ages to clear the water on the inside of the screen using the heater and AC controls. Apart from the obvious microfiber cloth what do others do and how long does it take for there screens to become dry. Do you just use a cloth or have you found another clever way.

 

[Cyker]

I'd like to know too! Mine's been terrible for it since the windscreen was replaced, but I think it's due to the off-gassing from the adhesive creating a chemical film that makes the water condense on it more readily.

I had similar issues, although nowhere near as extreme as I'm having at the moment, when the car had its first winter. That time, when the 'new car smell' had gone, I gave it a good clean with soapy water and isopropyl alcohol and that kept it pretty clean and much less prone to condensation.

Hoping the same will apply this time!

[Bper]

Thanks Cyker, I thought it was just me. I started the car this morning and after 10 minutes of clearing the ice off, It took ages for the water to dry on the inside of the screen. We only did a quick journey for the weekly shop and it had still not completely dryed by the time we got back.

I would love to know what others do as I am sure we are not the only ones. Good job we don't have this weather for to long. Also wiping water from the inside can smear and this is also a problem.

 

[Cyker]

I mentioned in my windscreen thread that the moisture had actually frozen on the *inside* of the windscreen!

It was so frozen I couldn't wipe it off so I tried to use my rubber scraper, but couldn't get a good angle because of the curvature of the windscreen. In the end I had to wait for the engine to generate enough heat to start melting it before I could start clearing it!

 

[Bper]

Well we are not the only ones as another post from LadyDaisy in the Aygo forum regarding the ice on the inside of the screen has asked a simular question. 

Obvious science comes into it but there must be loads of us that have the problem it would be good to here from others there thoughts and solutions. 🤔

[Cyker]

It was a lot better this morning after I'd mopped up all the moisture yesterday, although still a razor thin sheet of ice on the front windscreen that i didn't realize was there until it started melting.

On the bright side, it's more evidence the water running down the inside is just melting ice and condensation, and not a leak in my new windscreen!!

 

[Bper]

Yep that makes sense but how long does it take for the inside screen to dry using heater AC controls etc. 

[Cyker]

In mine? Initially in the morning, forever! Mine won't run the AC because it's too cold, and because the climate control system runs the fans at such a high speed it never gets hot, just a sort of luke-warm air.

I think my breath alone adds water to the interior faster than it can remove it!

I just wipe any down before leaving, but on the first day I had get off the A10 and stop 3 times to wipe down the front windscreen because it kept fogging up so bad I actually couldn't see!

It's a lot better now tho, just using the FRONT button to direct the fan to the windscreen with the temp set to 20 and the intake set to outside air is enough to clear the much lower amount of condensation (Recirc just makes it worse until the AC decides to get off its backside and run!)

[Bper]

So you didn't have this problem with the old screen or you did. I assume you use a microfiber cloth to wipe the excess off but does this leave a smearing after wiping.

[Cyker]

The old screen did when I first bought the car but giving it a good clean fixed it; I found just wiping the mist off with the microfibre cloth didn't fix it as it'd just come back - I had to give it a good clean to get rid of the chemical film from all the plastics offgassing (Tools of choice were cloth, soapy water and isopropyl alcohol to clean off any marks and smears left by the soapy water!), which stopped the condensation/mist from forming so quickly/strongly

 

[Bper]

I have also recommended isopropyl alcohol in previous threads but to be honest since owning the car for just over a year the weather has never been this blxxxx cold so I would not of noticed it. Last time I used it on the screen was in the summer to clean smears off.

So will try it inside when I have figured a way to get a 3 kilowatt heater under my coat to stop me freezing while putting it on.😅

[Jimota]

I found spraying rubbing alcohol/isopropyl onto a clean microfibre cloth and polishing the inside of the windscreen with it improved things.  Isopropyl usually comes in 2 strengths - 70% and 99%.  I use the stronger version but use a 1 part alcohol and 10 part dilution with water.  I carried out this procedure twice this week and so far no problems.  It also leaves your windows crystal clear.

I also used neat isopropyl on the outside of my windscreen to remove rubber mark rings caused by the suction pads during installation of the screen at the factory fit.

[Cyker]

Yea, last time I'd already cleared it so when it snowed recently it wasn't a problem.

It's only because I've had that new windscreen with new offgassing adhesive that the problem has reappeared.

It's annoying as I can't properly clean it until the weather gets warmer; In the morning it's sub-zero so any fluid I try and wipe it down with just freezes onto the windscreen, and when I get home it's sub zero and pitch black (Plus I'm thinking more about dinner and less about the car by that point  )

 

[Jimota]

Should have been more clear.  The isopropyl is applied to a dry screen the day before.  Never tried it, but I don’t think it would be as effective using it on the morning when the screen is cold and wet.

[Bper]

21 hours ago, Cyker said:

Yea, last time I'd already cleared it so when it snowed recently it wasn't a problem.

It's only because I've had that new windscreen with new offgassing adhesive that the problem has reappeared.

It's annoying as I can't properly clean it until the weather gets warmer; In the morning it's sub-zero so any fluid I try and wipe it down with just freezes onto the windscreen, and when I get home it's sub zero and pitch black (Plus I'm thinking more about dinner and less about the car by that point  )

 

What does the offgassing adhesive do to the screen.

[Cyker]

It leaves a thin film of <chemical> on it which, for Science! reasons, makes moisture in the air more likely to condense on it.

 

[haelewyn]

@CykerI would still put the Aircon on and the ventilation aimed on the front window on full power or almost. Even when very cold, the Aircon still dehumidifies the car. You will see it really helps.

Something else I did before at home, early mornings, is put a small heater / blower in the car on for 15 minutes on 3000 watts.
All ice will go off easily, the car is nice and warm, hot air dehumidifies too.

Then something controversial for the front window.

I have been deicing the thing for 37 years with warm (not too warm, around body temp + a few degrees) water, never had a broken wind screen and it has made my life a lot easier for many times. I poor it on slowly and start from the top.

I know some people believe it's SO bad... Well, it's my car and I do what I want. 😁

[Cyker]

I do, but as I said the AC will not run when the temperature is too cold and basically has no effect until I'm driving around and getting the car warmed up, which is difficult because I can;t see  

I find if I just leave it 'idling' it's like my old diesel car and doesn't warm up within a reasonable time, and I got places to be!!

 

[Rhymes with Paris]

I think that the kettle of water thing poured over the screen to defrost it got a bad name from some people thinking that it meant pouring boiling water over it.

They obviously did not listen during the science lessons at school.

Which to be fair was a bit difficult at my school because the science teacher was a bit deaf, and shouted about thermal shock and Bunsen burners.

He knew what he was on about though,as the screen on his triumph herald stayed intact.

[haelewyn]

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/car-maintenance/air-con-myths-busted/

 

Rac seems to have the same idea.

But yes, as long as you are not driving, it's not much use. I usually manage to drive and put Aircon on full power.

I would think of the combination of 2000 w heater inside, air recirculation mode active, Aircon on, warm water on windscreen...  And increase the prayers.

[Roy124]

Remember the stick on plastic panels you stuck on the rear window before heated screens were developed? 

In the depths of a Canadian winter people put them on all glass, back, sides, front. Cabin heating, besides taking time, was never sufficient to stop condensation. 

The other device in UK used to be a small electric fire secured by suckers to the bottom of the windscreen. 

I think you can buy small fan heaters now. 

 

[Bper]

That's interesting regarding warm water on the screen. For many years many people did that and it is very effective. It got a bad wrap because there was always going to be some that thought it was a great idea to put boiling hot water on to a iced screen. That is a iced screen and not a ice cream😅.

The obviously reprocussions of this was a cracked screen. Well de-icer was a good idea but not really sure if it is still widely used anymore but sure someone will advise of this.

An article online had a guy fill a plastic bag of warm water and run that over the windows.

I tried this and it does actually work really well. However you have to make sure there are no holes in it as carrying it through the house to the car. If you haven't got a garage it is not a good idea.

I have also filled a small hand pump garden sprayer with warm water and this is really good and clears the ice almost immediately and after pumping the handle you can just go over the screen and windows really quick.

Haelewyn''s idea of putting a heater in the car is also a good idea if you have the time to do it and can keep an eye on it.

 

[Bper]

8 minutes ago, Roy124 said:

Remember the stick on plastic panels you stuck on the rear window before heated screens were developed? 

In the depths of a Canadian winter people put them on all glass, back, sides, front. Cabin heating, besides taking time, was never sufficient to stop condensation. 

The other device in UK used to be a small electric fire secured by suckers to the bottom of the windscreen. 

I think you can buy small fan heaters now. 

 

Hi Roy, I vaguely remember the stick on panels but I think its the time clearing the condensation is the problem and the water on the inside of the screen as the condensation starts to clear. 

[haelewyn]

Heater : I used to lead the wire between the doors and would still be able to lock them.

Used to run it on a timer so by the time i got to my car it was nice and warm.

Small hand pump : put window (wiper spray fluid) cleaner - the one concentrated to not freeze up to minus 60- in it or any alcohol containing fluid... Not Martini : that's too sticky.

[Bper]

3 minutes ago, haelewyn said:

Heater : I used to lead the wire between the doors and would still be able to lock them.

Used to run it on a timer so by the time i got to my car it was nice and warm.

Small hand pump : put window (wiper spray fluid) cleaner - the one concentrated to not freeze up to minus 60- in it or any alcohol containing fluid... Not Martini : that's too sticky.

Ivan, as a matter of interest where did you stand the heater in the car.