[EJ257]

Get one of those standard spray bottles.

Fill as follows:
1/3 Tap Water
2/3 Isopropyl Alcohol

You could adjust the mixture and use a bit more water (50/50) and use a few drops of dish detergent as a surfactant as well.

 

[EJ257]

^^ This. Distilled water is ever better - no mineral deposits.

Do you wash your car with distilled water? If not, unless you keep a steady supply of distilled water (e.g., water/meth system), I wouldn't worry about it.

Dish detergent? Why?

Dish soap or baby shampoo acts as a surfactant, or wetting agent.

Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetting




Layman's Terms: It helps the spray "stick" to the ice vs just bead up and/or slide off.

NOTE (not related to cars, but to this post): If spraying liquid weed control in your lawn, consider introducing a surfactant like baby shampoo into the mixture, for better results. The surfactant will help the liquid spread evenly over the plant vs beading up (therefore, applying greater coverage area to the chemical that kills the plant).

 

[EJ257]

Ah, got it.

I usually have some distilled water around, so I suggested that.

Between acid rain and the minerals in the water when you wash your car, I don't know why you'd bother with distilled water in something like this.

I certainly understand there are situations you absolutely want to use distilled water, where minerals and such could clog up a system (e.g., you DO NOT want a water/methanol injection system to fail due to a clog), but water with minerals on it getting on your paint? Meh. Save the hassle of buying/transporting/storing distilled water for where it's really needed, IMO.

Certainly, distilled water in your mixture is not a bad thing. I just prefer to have a supply handy for when it's needed, rather than needing it (and not having it) as a result of unnecessarily using it, thus requiring a trip to the store.

 

[EJ257]

The coldest I've dealt with recently was -20f and even de-icing products froze. I wouldn't even consider any water at that point. I don't know the exact conversion but I'm sure the temps are similar there.

Isopropyl alcohol won't freeze in -120°F temperatures (freezing point is ~-89°C). While dilution with water will impact that, not enough that would ever cause a problem.

 

[EJ257]

I just bought commercial stuff. I don't recall the brand but they sell it at the local grocery store. It would just frost right up when I tried it around my fuel door

I'm not sure what the ingredients are for what you bought.

I would dilute the mixture to be on the safe side, and if you ran into "freezing" issues (which you shouldn't), adjust the mixture accordingly. What you buy in the store can vary in isopropyl alcohol content (e.g., Walgreens sells both 91% and 70% mixtures). If you happen to experience freezing issues, either reduce the water/alcohol mixture (1/5 water, 4/5 isopropyl alcohol), or increase the initial alcohol ratio in the mixture.

 

[EJ257]

Bingo! :thumbup:

How does that help when the vehicle is covered in ice and you can't even open a door?