What's a good ice scaper to use?

[Oil stain]

We all use them and many break. So, what's a good ice scraper to use. I found this model "Ice Dozer Ergonomic Ice Scraper". Looks like a nice one to me. Anyone use it?
I was thinking of buying 2 of them.
Here's the link.
http://cozywinters.com/shop/ice-dozer.html?source=ov

 

[Kestas]

$18 is a lot of money for something that is probably no better than one of those clear plastic scrapers. Keep it simple. I usually make my own out of thick pieces of scrap acrylic. The trick is to sharpen the edge when it gets dull. Makes clearing ice a breeze.

 

[Trav]

Technician a says a plastic scraper.
Technician b says try to prevent ice building on the glass by means of a windshield cover etc as all ice scrapers put micro scratches in the glass that build up after time.
Answer b

 

[Kestas]

I believe the windshield cover is to prevent frost from forming overnight, and it's a good idea.

I doubt the cover would work will with precip that freezes overnight. The cover would freeze solid to the car... unless somebody has experience to the contrary.

 

[Trav]

Thats correct for cardboard or aluminum foil faced covers. For ice rain and such i use a short cover on my wifes car it covers the roof and windows,its made of heavy duty vinyl and a few shakes gets the ice off.it doesn't stick to the car.This vinyl type is also avail in just a windshield cover version,also no stick.similar to this one.
http://www.amazon.com/SNO-OFF-Winter-Windshield-Cover-Size/dp/B000GWXB94

 

[eljefino]

I clean my windshield with the squirter/wipers before pulling in to park. This way any road dust isn't involved in the scraping process next morning.

 

[Matt89]

Every windshield I've ever had (in both warm and cold climates) was kind of crummy to look through after a couple of years from getting sandblasted by dirt on the road. Are 'micro scratches' from scraping that big of a deal?

 

[mazduh30]

I have a scrapper a friend gave to me, it has a brass edge has never scratched the windshield and scraps really good. Sometimes I just use a credit card.

 

[Bret Chase]

I just use whatever wal-mart had on clearance the previous year for $1. always seem to get the job done.

 

[JHZR2]

I like the tiny square blitz brand made in USA ones that HD sometimes has. Maybe the size of a postcard, but importantly, it has a squegee on one side. Most minor frost, etc can be removed with that, which is farmore gentle.

My father always liked the cheap wood shaft ones that had a brush on one side and a scraper/squege on the other. I agree... I prefer to use squegee action as much as possible. Alas, they arent very much available anymore - the companies try to hard to shape soem crqafty plastic widget.

JMH

 

[Brogy]

Quote:

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Every windshield I've ever had (in both warm and cold climates) was kind of crummy to look through after a couple of years from getting sandblasted by dirt on the road. Are 'micro scratches' from scraping that big of a deal?

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I agree, my windshield looks no different after I used the $1 plastic scraper than it did before.

 

[NYEngineer]

I have remote start on my truck. I start it from in the house, let it build some temp and then whatever ice is on the windshield just about falls off.

 

[mechtech2]

For cheap money [but a little more than plastic ones], you should get the hand held scraper with a brass edge. It really digs in, and won't scratch the glass. Plastic is better than you fingers, though.

 

[Dave H]

I think it is Avon that sells a heated plastic scraper. It plugs in to the cigarette lighter socket, and has a wire that gets pretty hot near the plastic "blade". I was given one by my wife, but I sent it to my Mom. I live in Louisiana, while my Mom lives in Ohio and Maryland. I figured she's get more use out of it. I'll ask her if she's used it.
For the little frost we get down here, and sometimes the rather bad ice storms, I use a spray bottle 1/2 full of winter windshield washer fluid and 1/2 Prestone De-Icer Winshield Washer Fluid Additive. With the defroster on, spray on, wait a minute, and squeegee off. Most ice comes off rather easily. Keep in mind that it only gets down in to the 20's here, so I don't know how that stuff will work up north (I'm originally from Ohio, so I'm familiar with the winter challenges). Good thing about the Prestone additive is it helps prevent dangerous re-freeze. I also put a bottle in my washer reservoir with winter fluid. In spring, I change it out to summer bug type.

I've also noticed having my car in Ohio last winter, that a clean windshield makes clearing it easier (I try to clean my glass daily no matter what). My exterior glass is also treated with Rain-X, which is simply amazing stuff. Nothing sticks for long.
Hope this helps.

Dave