Windscreen

[bluetoon]

Hi scraped frost off windscreen this morning. When I got in the car to start up realised I had made scratches over my windscreen.can I get it replaced through insurance or is that only for chips and cracks. Or is there a way to clear scratches that windscreen company's can do thanks

[bluetoon]

Tonyav yes it's in zone a but reading the link you gave me it says light scratching is not a mot fail

[jomifl]

/Using warm water is probably the worst idea mentioned so far! /

Enlighten me please ...It has worked for me for 40 years.

[jomifl]

Prudie, warm water is quicker than a scraper and surpisingly scratch free.

[tonyav]

Tonyav yes it's in zone a but reading the link you gave me it says light scratching is not a mot fail


Maybe you'll be lucky then, bluetoon.

[Canary42]

///It has worked for me for 40 years///

Ditto, except 50 years.

[hc4361]

I saw this happen to my neighbour just the other day - warm water on windscreen, windscreen shattered.

".... hot water brings a real risk of damaging a screen. Sudden expansion caused by hot water followed by contraction as it cools can cause the glass to crack, especially if it already has chips or small cracks.
On very cold days this method is ineffective, as the hot water will rapidly cool and almost instantly turn to ice. Worse, it will accumulate on the wipers and freeze them to the screen, risking damage to the wiper motor or ripping off the rubber if you switch them on."

http://www.theaa.com/newsroom/news-2012/defrosting-your-car-aa-autowindshields-advice.html

The run off water also creates a skid pad to help the postman reach your letterbox that bit quicker.

[Old_Geezer]

Years ago I used a credit card to scrape a windscreen and could see marks afterwards. Flabbergasted. They must coat some windscreens with something that can be marked easily.

[EDDIE51]

^^ It dos not have to be hot or even warm water. Room temperature water is perfect for defrosting and much less likely to shatter the windscreen.

[bhg481]

That's the stuff, Eddie. I used to leave a watering can by the front door ready for frosty mornings. A watering can helps you pour it steadily just where you want it and, provided you use the whole 2 gallons/10 litres, it won't refreeze or let your breath freeze up on the inside.

[Maydup]

Yes the can is at the ready this morning. I use luke warm water, but plenty of it.

Personally I'd live with the scratches for a bit and get the screen replaced once you have a couple of stone chips. If you want some of those sooner than later, come over to Norfolk for a couple of days before spring while the roads are busy with tractors and lorries chucking up muck!

[TWR]

That scraper you used should not have caused that much damage Blue otherwise there would be claims going out, get a Good Windscreen Cleaner.

[mrblear]

I've owned a car (no, not the same one ) since 1960 and have always used the warm water method without mishap.

[mrblear]

In this mucky weather it's a good idea to use your wipers with plenty of screenwash as you approach home, leaving a nice clean screen for the morning.

[grasscarp]

This morning I went out on the road and cleaned a near neighbours car of all frost. She comes out with 3 little children around this time to take them somewhere and was very grateful recently when I cleaned all her windows. I wanted to give her a nice surprise. She hasn't come out. Just realised it is half term. Doh!

[mrblear]

Forgot to finish post....If you use even a plastic scraper on a gritty screen you may scratch the glass.

[bluetoon]

Hi thanks to all who responded to my question. Did't realise it would raise so many issues regarding the clearing of frost off the windscreen. Never used the water method before as always thought it would crack the windscreen. But it seems a popular idea on here. Just my luck to try it and the windscreen would crack.lol

[jomifl]

/On very cold days this method is ineffective, as the hot water will rapidly cool and almost instantly turn to ice./
complete rubbish, If you switch on your wipers when the ice has melted there will be no water left to freeze.