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Thread: Recommend an ice scraper for windscreens please

  1. #1

    Recommend an ice scraper for windscreens please

    Before I go and buy another rubbish ice scrapper from Halfords can anyone recommend a good one or design to look for. I had a great one that came from a rental car once but having changed car 4 times this year it seems to be lost, just spent ten minutes chipping away with my RAC membership card.

    Many thanks
    Justin44

  2. #2
    Grand Master wileeeeeey's Avatar
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    Warm-ish water with wipers left on after. If you put the water on it and wait it'll frost up again. I always put warm-ish water in a 2 litre water bottle then drive off immediately. Never had an issue.

  3. #3
    Craftsman HookedSeven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by justin44 View Post
    Recommend an ice scraper for windscreens please...
    The wife ?
    Last edited by HookedSeven; 19th November 2019 at 09:21.

  4. #4
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    This one.


    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpoint-17...dow+scr&sr=8-1

    Money well worth spent.

  5. #5
    Craftsman HookedSeven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Claret67 View Post
    Same as mine. The red blade is extremely rigid and scrapes very well, but because it’s so rigid it doesn’t flex at all to conform to the shape of the windscreen. When I use mine it spends to scrape a line about 1cm wide in spite of the fact the blade itself is probably 15cm across. I’m tackling brutal German ice though... might be easier in the UK as the black side flexes.
    Last edited by HookedSeven; 19th November 2019 at 09:39. Reason: Spelling

  6. #6
    Grand Master andrewcregan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Claret67 View Post


    Available as a twin pack I note - 2 for £11.50

  7. #7
    Master Man of Kent's Avatar
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    I wonder what they use in Scandinavia? Might be worth seeking their best buys.
    One thing I miss about my old Ford was the heated windscreen which meant never having to do the front, just the sides.

  8. #8
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    2x 2 litre milk containers with water from the cold tap. Pour water on, use wipers, ice gone.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  9. #9
    Grand Master andrewcregan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Man of Kent View Post
    One thing I miss about my old Ford was the heated windscreen which meant never having to do the front.

    I had one of those too. Always did an incredible job.
    Makes one wonder why you so rarely see this fantastic option?!

  10. #10
    Grand Master Seamaster73's Avatar
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    I’m a big fan of this type, makes the whole business far less brutal.

    Carpoint 1723226 Ice Scraper Glove
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004D35OBK/

  11. #11
    Grand Master Andyg's Avatar
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  12. #12
    Master WarrenVrs's Avatar
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    Swedish ice scraper. Expensive, but will last forever (can be sharpened when it eventually gets blunt).

    Walk out in the morning, by the time the neighbors are halfway through their windscreen I've done the whole car.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009SKM7..._qL70Db4R6M38V

  13. #13
    Grand Master
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    Bought a new car last year and opted for the winter pack, heated seats and heated windscreen, glad I did.

    very efficient, less than a minute and the ice is soft enough to be wiped away, by the wipers while my bum is getting warm. Lol.
    Cheers,

    Ben



    ..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers


    " an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "

  14. #14
    Master WarrenVrs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ben4watches View Post
    Bought a new car last year and opted for the winter pack, heated seats and heated windscreen, glad I did.

    very efficient, less than a minute and the ice is soft enough to be wiped away, by the wipers while my bum is getting warm. Lol.
    I despise heated front screens. The filaments in all the cars I've been in create annoying glare at night. Some folks don't even notice it (my wife for example!) but drives me mad.

  15. #15
    Master Albellisimo's Avatar
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    The Vielda is the best - used it it Berlin and Warsaw https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpoint-17...s%2C138&sr=8-1

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by WarrenVrs View Post
    I despise heated front screens. The filaments in all the cars I've been in create annoying glare at night. Some folks don't even notice it (my wife for example!) but drives me mad.
    Can’t say I’ve noticed this, although i dont do a lot of night driving.
    Cheers,

    Ben



    ..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers


    " an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by andrewcregan View Post
    I had one of those too. Always did an incredible job.
    Makes one wonder why you so rarely see this fantastic option?!
    Ford own patent.

  18. #18
    Master WarrenVrs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ben4watches View Post
    Can’t say I’ve noticed this, although i dont do a lot of night driving.
    It's very subjective. I couldn't drive her focus at night. But I'm borderline OCD with vision, far from the norm.

  19. #19
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    My longest lasting and fave scraper so far - https://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Snow-B...per/p/17-110-2

  20. #20
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    We have a plastic screen protector that tucks in the front doors across the window, whip it off and away she goes, my car is in the garage nice and comfy.

  21. #21
    Master
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    50p to one of your kids.

  22. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by alanm_3 View Post
    50p to one of your kids.
    Tried that but he just laughed and asked me to do his, i guess at 17 50p doesn't mean as much as it used to.



    Thanks everyone for the recommendations, i knew this site would have options.

    Regarding heated windscreens, yes its a Ford thing although i believe some Mercs now have it as well, i must agree it was great my wife wanted a Fiesta for no other reason than the heated front screen!

  23. #23
    Grand Master thieuster's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by justin44 View Post
    Tried that but he just laughed and asked me to do his, i guess at 17 50p doesn't mean as much as it used to.



    Thanks everyone for the recommendations, i knew this site would have options.

    Regarding heated windscreens, yes its a Ford thing although i believe some Mercs now have it as well, i must agree it was great my wife wanted a Fiesta for no other reason than the heated front screen!
    Heated windscreens: was a Volvo V70 option here as well.

    When using a scraper: I use the one with the glove. But nothing can stand against a preheater... 10 yrs ago, my wife's (company car) Saab 9.3 had that option. Best invention ever. One of my old Saab 96s has a Calix block heater: plug under the front bumper, wire up to a thermostat and a heater element screwed to the inside of the block (using an existing freeze plug). Crude, prehistoric but it works perfectly. The engine is warmed, starts easily and the windscreen blower sends hot air up to the screen. Scrape off the ice from the other windows and you're ready to go!

  24. #24
    Master Possu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Man of Kent View Post
    I wonder what they use in Scandinavia? Might be worth seeking their best buys.
    Most everyone in Finland has one of these. You can reach the middle of the windscreen without humping the dirty side of the car. The scraper part is removable and has three business ends. It’ll outlast the snow brush. Costs less than a fiver. Only downside is that you’ll need a separate squeegee(?) for those misty mornings.



    Edit. These come in sizes from about 50cm to 90cm long
    Last edited by Possu; 19th November 2019 at 18:24.

  25. #25
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Possu View Post
    Most everyone in Finland has one of these. You can reach the middle of the windscreen without humping the dirty side of the car. The scraper part is removable and has three business ends. It’ll outlast the snow brush. Costs less than a fiver. Only downside is that you’ll need a separate squeegee(?) for those misty mornings.



    Edit. These come in sizes from about 50cm to 90cm long
    Pretty sure that here the police would consider that an offensive weapon.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  26. #26
    Master Kaffe's Avatar
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    Save yourself the trouble and get a FrostBlocker screen cover. There are many different types on the market but I've found this the easiest to use.

  27. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by WarrenVrs View Post
    Swedish ice scraper. Expensive, but will last forever (can be sharpened when it eventually gets blunt).

    Walk out in the morning, by the time the neighbors are halfway through their windscreen I've done the whole car.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009SKM7..._qL70Db4R6M38V
    I use one of these, because they are expensive it gets looked after but I didn't realise it could be sharpened

  28. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by WarrenVrs View Post
    Swedish ice scraper. Expensive, but will last forever (can be sharpened when it eventually gets blunt).

    Walk out in the morning, by the time the neighbors are halfway through their windscreen I've done the whole car.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009SKM7..._qL70Db4R6M38V
    Thanks - solved several xmas presents right there!

  29. #29
    Master
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    I'm sure I read somewhere that if you lower all your windows when you get home for about 20 mins to equalise the interior / exterior temp, then they'll be no ice to scrap the next day.

  30. #30
    Quote Originally Posted by Possu View Post
    Most everyone in Finland has one of these. You can reach the middle of the windscreen without humping the dirty side of the car. The scraper part is removable and has three business ends. It’ll outlast the snow brush. Costs less than a fiver. Only downside is that you’ll need a separate squeegee(?) for those misty mornings.



    Edit. These come in sizes from about 50cm to 90cm long
    I have similar with metal scraper instead of plastic.

  31. #31
    Craftsman HookedSeven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave O'Sullivan View Post
    I'm sure I read somewhere that if you lower all your windows when you get home for about 20 mins to equalise the interior / exterior temp, then they'll be no ice to scrap the next day.
    Is that because your car will have been stolen ?

  32. #32
    Master Kaffe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by HookedSeven View Post
    Is that because your car will have been stolen ?
    I almost spilt my beer reading that. Very funny!

  33. #33
    Craftsman canuck's Avatar
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    Most Canadians will have a variation of this. It’s nice not needing to stretch or reach far.

  34. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by HookedSeven View Post
    Is that because your car will have been stolen ?

  35. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by justin44 View Post

    Regarding heated windscreens, yes its a Ford thing although i believe some Mercs now have it as well, i must agree it was great my wife wanted a Fiesta for no other reason than the heated front screen!
    Available on all Jaguar / Land Rover vehicles.

  36. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by ben4watches View Post
    Bought a new car last year and opted for the winter pack, heated seats and heated windscreen, glad I did.

    very efficient, less than a minute and the ice is soft enough to be wiped away, by the wipers while my bum is getting warm. Lol.
    I love my heated steering wheel as well!

  37. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by CriticalMass View Post
    Available on all Jaguar / Land Rover vehicles.
    So your windscreen stays ice free whilst you’re on the AA truck lol

  38. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by bootneck View Post
    So your windscreen stays ice free whilst you’re on the AA truck lol
    Why the anti- Jag crap?

    I’ve owned two, never had problems. Current car is an XF 3 litre diesel that’s just turned 9 years old and it’s been virtually trouble free.

    Are you speaking from experience or just regurgitating internet rhetoric? OK, some of the Land Rover models had issues but don’t tar the modern Jags with the same brush unless you can back it up with first- hand experience.

  39. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kingstepper View Post
    Ford own patent.
    True, it’s an excellent feature that my 1990 XR3 had, wifey’s last two Fords had, but (frustratingly) my 2010 Jag XF doesn’t gave!

    The filaments are visible if you look for them, but so are the scars on the surface of my right eye that I damaged as a kid if I look for them. Truth is you don’t notice them unless you’re consciously looking.

  40. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by CriticalMass View Post
    Available on all Jaguar / Land Rover vehicles.
    Climate screen is available on most German cars which moves the game on from the traditional ford screen.

    That said if you buy a JLR car you can warm it up from the app and have been able to since the launch of current XF (2015) which the rest of them still have to catch up on.

  41. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgreenwood View Post
    Climate screen is available on most German cars which moves the game on from the traditional ford screen.

    That said if you buy a JLR car you can warm it up from the app and have been able to since the launch of current XF (2015) which the rest of them still have to catch up on.
    What’s an app?

  42. #42
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    What’s an app?
    JLR incontrol app for your phone

  43. #43
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    Quote Originally Posted by HookedSeven View Post
    Is that because your car will have been stolen ?
    😂 I deserved that!

  44. #44
    Quote Originally Posted by CriticalMass View Post
    I love my heated steering wheel as well!
    Is it metal? Never found an un-heated one uncomfortable.

  45. #45
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Why the anti- Jag crap?

    I’ve owned two, never had problems. Current car is an XF 3 litre diesel that’s just turned 9 years old and it’s been virtually trouble free.

    Are you speaking from experience or just regurgitating internet rhetoric? OK, some of the Land Rover models had issues but don’t tar the modern Jags with the same brush unless you can back it up with first- hand experience.
    Sorry I should have been more specific it was more aimed at landrover and yes it’s from bitter experience with rangerover.

  46. #46
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    Why the anti- Jag crap?

    I’ve owned two, never had problems. Current car is an XF 3 litre diesel that’s just turned 9 years old and it’s been virtually trouble free.

    Are you speaking from experience or just regurgitating internet rhetoric? OK, some of the Land Rover models had issues but don’t tar the modern Jags with the same brush unless you can back it up with first- hand experience.
    Had a Freelander, Evoque and now an E-Pace. Apparently they all should have blown up their engines or been terribly unreliable. I must be doing something wrong because they've all been great cars. I think some people are just jealous, all manufacturers have problems from time to time.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  47. #47
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    plastic bag

    Filled with warm water, run bag up & down screen, ice melts but as the water is in the plastic bag it doesn't freeze on your screen or wipers

  48. #48
    Master ingenioren's Avatar
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    A scraper can actually scratch the screen.
    Try warm'ish water in a plastic bag, and rub it over the windows, works a treat

  49. #49
    Quote Originally Posted by ingenioren View Post
    A scraper can actually scratch the screen.
    Try warm'ish water in a plastic bag, and rub it over the windows, works a treat
    yeah, try that when temperature drops below actual freezing, say -15 or -20 :)

  50. #50
    I use a 5 litre empty mineral water bottle which I fill up in evening and so I am ready to go in the morning. I put the heater on with visors pulled down which apparently helps clear windscreen quicker.

    As mentioned I do open windows when parking up the night before which I think helps.

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