When browsing I saw that a few others had some type of anti freezing solutions they had came up with.
Can we post some of the formulas and ratios in this thread?
I use my regular solution.
I wring out the strip washer, and then pour windshield washer fluid directly on it.
I use about a gallon of windshield washer fluid a day when doing route work in the cold.
Here’s some info - http://windowcleaner.com/vBulletin/weather-not-w-mister-squeegee/2759-weather-not-mister-squeegee-5-keeping-your-water-freezing.html
Yeah, thanks to that video, I’m getting myself some methanol this week. Only 2.60 a gallon here! I don’t remember if you mentioned a ratio, though. Any suggestions?
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I carry a 24oz bottle in my belt pouch every day. In cold weather it has water and alcohol mixed 50/50 in it. I could probably get by with a 25/75 ratio. I apply it to the strip washer only as needed. I tried car windshield washing fluid for a while but the windows resoiled really fast. Too much soap residue is my guess.[/FONT][/COLOR]
I rarely go over 25% in my bucket. I carry a bottle of straight methanol to give my stripwasher a boost in those bad windchill situations. I marked off a gallon GG4 bottle in 1 inch increments to make sure I knew how much methanol I was adding to my bucket. I’d have to look again but I’m sure 1 inch equaled 16oz in a GG4 bottle.
Got that right! That soap is garbage and the blue dye looks horrible when it dries on the sills.:eek:
I add pure Methanol to my BOB and works like a charm. Home Depot sells 4L for 4 bucks.
-2C/28F and I keep a ratio of 3:1 soap to methanol. I’ve tried the other stuff and the dyes are a pain and it’s hard to get a consistent ratio.
I got this one from a guy in alaska over on NWCD.
S-L-X denatured Alcohol about 2 1/2 gallons to every five gallons of water + a good squeeze of dawn and 1/2 cup ammonia. try it, I work till about 55-60 below.
You win the frozen earlobe award this year!:eek:
seems easier to stay in bed!
im glad to say we dont get that form of extreme cold in the uk,if we do its a short spell
i would try a bit of anti freeze in the water solution ,saying that its my first winter so i will see how i get on
bob
We use -20 windshield fluid.
sorry, that part about working to 55-60 below was part of the quote from the guy from Alaska, When it hit single digits above 0, I hit the indoors.
I use rain-x orange windshield washer fluid. Never freezes and seems to keep the windows clean longer. I save the same bucket for most of the winter and top of when needed. I also use a smaller stripwasher. That stuff is hazardous to your health. Use gloves and keep it off your skin.
Yeah , separate your mix from your hot water and soap bucket. That way you can reuse and top off your winter mix when needed. I use a empty glass gleam 3 bottle for my alcohol mix. Good point Billy.
I personally prefer to have a BOB filled with pure methanol and it will be added as needed to the strip washer as I go. Trying to judge how much is needed in the pail is tricky as the temps change on different sides of a building and around a corner, depending on which way the wind is blowing and what type of glass you’re working on.
To all of you who use Methyl Alcohol I have questions. (I’m in Montana by the way. For all the How cold is it there questions you might have)
I’ve been doing this since '05 and have just used the 91% Isopropyl Alcohol 1 quart for about $2.50 from Walmart. If it gets really cold I can get away with pouring 2 quarts in my water bucket and keep working, I go home if the windo starts blowing. But I’ve noticed there’s a lot of Methyl Alcohol users here.
Besides cost ($10 a gallon for isopropyl is expensive) is there any other reason Methyl Alcohol is better? Smell wise, health wise, not freezing-wise? I tried De-Natured before, but I HATE the smell. I have no experience with Methyl, but I always thought I’d much prefer rubbing alcohol because I’ve got quite used to it from doctors apptments, cleaning up scrapes etc.
Any Tips?
I’d love to find Iso for $10 a gallon. I use Methanol because it’s the least expensive stuff I can get here. I too don’t care for the strong odor of denatured. I do use a small amount Iso in my Methanol to cut the fuel smell.
So are you saying that If I can get 91% at $10 a gallon. That’s the way to go? 'Cuz that’s the case here. If you’re serious you should to to the pharmacy in Walmart, that’s where I get mine. It was around $2.50 a quart last time I bought it.
I’ll check on the Iso as I use it to keep the water in my wfp backpack from freezing and the would be a great price for Iso.
I get Methanol for $3.50 a gallon so it’s cheaper to use for traditional methods. If you have any local guys that do racing you might check to see if you can buy some Methanol off them.
