The winter months are very nearly upon us and you know what comes along with that. Somebody, probably you, will be outside, freezing your toes and fingers off, madly scraping two inches of ice off of a windshield (if it’s bad enough, the back window and sides may be affected as well). That’s going to make a serious dent in your closely scheduled timetable.
Truth be told, food truck windshields aren’t all that different from the windshields on pickup trucks, cars, SUVs, etc. When there is ice on them, it needs to come off. So let’s take a look at icy conditions on windshields, how to remove the ice, and whether or not there is a way to prevent your windshield from icing up in the first place.
What Not to Do!
Never – ever – attempt to melt the ice on your windshield by pouring hot water on it. In the long run, this can cost thousands (at least hundreds) of dollars. Sure, the ice will melt. Unfortunately, the stress that will be placed on the windshield will be immeasurable. When that hot water hits that freezing windshield, cracks are likely to develop. Nobody wants a cracked windshield.
Do not turn your windshield wipers on until the ice is completely gone. This puts massive wear and tear on your windshield wipers and will shorten their life. And if they are actually frozen to the windshield, you could cause even more damage to the wipers.
How to Remove That Ice Safely
First things first – when you start your car immediately activate the defroster. Plan on giving yourself enough time to allow the vehicle and defroster to run for no less than 10 minutes. Using a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% room temperature water, spray down your windshield. To remove any remaining ice, use your ice scraper. Now you can be on your way.
There are also manufactured products on the market that can accomplish this.
Clever Tricks to Prevent Ice
You may think that this is an old wive’s tale but, reportedly, it can work. The night before a big freeze, take a raw onion, cut it in half, and rub it on your windshield and windows.
Another method of preventing ice is to literally cover the windshield with a sheet of rubber or some other dry covering.
Some people insist that spraying your windshield with rubbing alcohol and water (2:1) or a mixture of water and white vinegar (1:3) the night before freezing temperatures will help discourage ice buildup overnight. It’s been recommended by any number of drivers, so it’s probably safe to assume that it has worked in the past.
And remember that if you can park your vehicle indoors, or at least in a carport, you stand a better chance of wasting far less time scraping ice and brushing off snow.
Mickey Genuine Parts has used trailers available for the frugally minded individual. That includes party trailers and refrigerated units. We also carry parts, accessories, and more. Order the parts yourself for installation, or rely on one of our conveniently located, certified service centers throughout the United States to do the work. If you’d like to place an order or ask a question, contact one of our customer service representatives today.