Having to defrost your vehicle’s windshield is a common problem in winter. If you are like most people, your solution probably comes in one of two forms. You either warm the car up for several minutes until the windows are defrosted by the engine’s heat, or manually defrost the window with the help of an ice scrapper. And, if you are a person who finds it inconvenient to wait for your car to warm up as you physically scrape the frost from the windows, then you are in luck. Ken Weathers, a meteorologist from Knoxville, TN, has come up with a simple solution for defrosting car windows in seconds. Read on to see this magical solution.
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Season of Snow and Ice
Visibility is crucial for driving safely. But, most of us are probably guilty, at one time or another, of not properly defrosting our windows. And we did it for two reasons. Warming up the car would take too long, and scraping the window would be too much of a hassle.
But, with Ken Weathers’ trick, our windows will be defrosted in less time than, and with as little effort as, it takes a Keurig to pour a cup of coffee.
Who Is Ken Weathers?
Weathers is a certified broadcast meteorologist for the ABC affiliate WATE 6 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has won the Broadcasting Seal of Approval from The American Meteorological Society, and was honored with a Humanitarian Award by the Governor of the state of Oklahoma for his coverage of the state’s devastating outbreak of tornados on May waley3, 1999.This renowned weatherman has offered to share the secret solution he uses to remove the morning frost from his car windows, while neither warming his car first nor scraping the ice off manually. His YouTube tutorial, which shows him using this exciting solution, has received thousands of views.
It Isn’t Hot Water!
It must be said that Ken Weathers’ solution does not involve hot water!
While there are videos of people using hot water successfully to defrost their windows, we can’t recommend this method. It’s just not safe – hot water on cold glass is playing with proverbial fire. This is because, as the heat from the water transfers to the glass, the glass expands. If there are any cracks or chips in the glass – or if the glass is just so cold that it expands unevenly – then it could crack.Some insurance policies replace windshields that are cracked through “Acts of God” – rocks thrown up by passing trucks, or acorns falling out of trees. But, hot water poured over a cold windshield is not an “Act of God.” In an article for Carwindshields.info experts estimated that the average windshield repair costs about $250 and can run as much as $1,300! Save yourself this risk and don’t use hot water!
The Solution: Rubbing Alcohol and Water
The solution offered by Weathers is to combine 2 parts rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with 1 part cold water, then pour your solution into a spray bottle. As seen in the video (linked above), when you spray the mixture on your frosted windshield, the ice melts away.Isopropyl alcohol is not for drinking. It is colorless, flammable, and has a strong smell. You probably already have some in your medicine cabinet – if not, a large bottle is usually less than a dollar and can be found at any pharmacy. It has a wide range of uses, both industrial and domestic. Antiseptics and detergents are common household goods that contain isopropyl alcohol.
Why Does It Work?
Weathers reports that this method works because the freezing point of rubbing alcohol is way lower than that of water, approximately 160 degrees lower. The freezing point of water is 32˚F, while that of rubbing alcohol is -128.2˚F. As a result, you can keep the spray bottle inside your vehicle and it won’t freeze.So, the next time your car windows get frosted, simply take out your de-icing solution, spritz it over your windshield, and watch the ice melt in seconds.
How Have People Reacted?
Some unconvinced motorists commented that the hack was potentially dangerous. They worried it could crack the windshield or damage a vehicle’s paint. In response, Weathers consulted auto body stores who confirmed that, as long the solution is kept in the car (so that it’s the same temperature as the glass), there’s no risk of it cracking the windshield. And, while some older paints can be damaged by isopropyl alcohol, newer paints shouldn’t be. But, to be safe, it’s always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning schedule. Simply washing the car will remove the isopropyl alcohol. And doing so on the same schedule that you should in order to remove road salt will ensure that your paint stays shiny and looking new.And there you have it. The simplest solution for defrosting your car windows. Try it the next time your windscreen is frosted and see what happens.
