This past Friday's winter weather event had quite a few of us wondering what is the best way to remove ice from the windshield. There was a big debate of whether it was okay to pour water or not pour water. Would scraping the ice scratch the windshield? Since we don't do a lot of ice removal here in the heart of Acadiana we thought we would put together some do's and don'ts as recommended by people who live where it gets cold a lot. Since there is a good possibility of more freezing rain, sleet and snow in the forecast. Here is what the folks at Glass Doctor suggest.

DO:

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

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

3.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.

4.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:

1.Pour hot water on the vehicle’s windshield and windows to melt the ice. The extreme temperature change can cause the glass to break.

2.Try to “unseal” the door by using a hair dryer, cigarette lighter, ice pick, screwdriver, propane torch or portable heater.

3.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.

4.Pour a mixture of vinegar and water on the windshield. Vinegar eats pits into the windshield glass.

If I may throw in a personal bit of advice in this whole getting the window glass clean discussions. I find that the product Rain-X works wonders in times like this. I always use this stuff on my  windshield. Treating your windshield and back glass and even side windows and mirrors with Rain-X or a similar product will make ice removal that much easier.

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