[euan]

It's blooming cold outside again and I'm very aware that I don't have a scraper. Rather than resort to a credit card, and due to the space and style of the MINI, I'm after an atrractive ice scraper and not a run of the mill 3 quid lump of plastic.

Something chrome style (although, in the cold that may not be a great idea), something just smart.

Any ideas anyone?

[mgemie]

lol, just had a great idea (bit silly though!)

1. Buy a second chrome boot handle,
2. remove light fitting
3. made a few, minor alterations to the chrome handle i.e. shorten, add a grip etc
4. smooth the leading edge with some fine grain sandpaper
5. a general tidy up of the ex-chrome boot handle
6. wahey! - a custom re-configured chrome boot handle aka ice scraper!!

second thoughts this may just be taking things tooooo far! pretty silly as well...

[mrsw]

Try the OXO Snow Brush or OXO Ice Scraper. I have both. They're on sale now at www.autogeek.net.

[MJ.]

GO CAREFULLY!!

Last Friday I scraped ice off the screen with a plastic ice scraper, and there are now several long scratches down the screen . They won't polish out either! Car is three weeks old and am well p*$$*d off. The scraper is in the bin. I'm now investigating if there is such a thing as a 'paint work friendly', 'environmentally friendly' de-icer.

Failing that, I'll just not go into work - "I'm sorry I won't be in today, there's ice on my windscreen!"

[euan]

Now theres an idea, just not go into work!

Thats what I am trying to avoid, using something cheap that scratches, I want something that looks good in the car the rest of the year.

Will de-icer not damage the paint if it's used too much?

[phil portlock]

What about the heated front screen?

[MJ.]

Surely a home made solution of salty water in a spray bottle's not going to harm the paint?

Probably won't work either!!

[Rakey]

I brought a metal one, credit card sized so goes in your wallet from www.firebox.com or was it www.iwantoneofthose.com ?about a fiver

[techiedoc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

I brought a metal one, credit card sized so goes in your wallet from www.firebox.com or was it www.iwantoneofthose.com ?about a fiver

It is here http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/Categ...n guage=en-GB
Does it cause scratches?

[vagt6]

I posted this in another thread recently, but it's worth repeating.

To keep ice/frost from forming on exterior glass, place a piece of cardboard or other rigid, soft material on the windscreen, under the wipers to hold it in place.

In the morning, remove the cardboard and drive away! Using a quality car cover will stop frost formation also.

I hope this helps!

[Rich_IX]

I use my credit card, I have stocked up on that de-icer stuff though so im sorted

[techiedoc]

Very important not to use the scraper on the paintwork.It's only for the windows and windscreens.I use a heated one which powers up from the 12 v cigarette lighter.

[mleggett]

What about a glass of warm (not boiling water) ?

works in seconds.

[euan]

Trouble is, when I use the car during the week I'm usually away in a hotel so no access to a kettle so i need a scraper.

Currently using a cheap one I found in the garage after a surprise frost meant I had to use my credit card, but still after something "sexier" if anyone has come across one.

I don't have the heated screen, but always let the screen warm up with the demister a bit to loosen it before I scrape.

[Hat]

its very hard to find a good scraper. the one i have i've had for years - the actual scraper piece is replaceable in the hadle, has rounded corners & is flat, about 5mm thick & has always had a good edge. i haven't a clue where i got it from now. its certainly not sexy but more improtantly it does the job

[MJ.]

Sunday saw the arrival of thick frost at last (south-east england is always behind!). Anyway, in my bleary-eyed state i opened the boot, took out what i though was Autoglym de-icer (which i'm assured is the safest around), sprayed it quickly, thickly all around the car. When i got back round the front i noticed thicker ice had formed (VERY thick).

Slightly confused, i looked at the botle, and i'd sprayed Fast Glass (claener) on the windows and it set solid!!! Even Autoglm's de-cer wouldn't shift it!

We learn by our mistakes!!

[X30YES]

Quote: Originally Posted by euan

Trouble is, when I use the car during the week I'm usually away in a hotel so no access to a kettle so i need a scraper.

Currently using a cheap one I found in the garage after a surprise frost meant I had to use my credit card, but still after something "sexier" if anyone has come across one.

I don't have the heated screen, but always let the screen warm up with the demister a bit to loosen it before I scrape.

try getting a 12v mini travel Kettle /mug it works every time ....providing you remember to have a bottle of water in the boot http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/TRAMUG.htm

[ScottishMini]

Not touching mine with a scraper, I just start the car, demister and rear heater on, spray the windows with autoglym de-icer then sit in the car FREEZING while it clears. Doesn't usually take too long

[DeadCanDanceR]

As far as I can remember the owner's manual says not to use ice scrapers! Although I must confess that I didn't pay too much attention to this section of the manual since we don't really need ice scrapers in Mexico!

[ScottishMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by DeadCanDanceR

As far as I can remember the owner's manual says not to use ice scrapers! Although I must confess that I didn't pay too much attention to this section of the manual since we don't really need ice scrapers in Mexico!

Grrrr, Just wait ! Global warming is sure to change the weather in Sunny Mexico too !