With the onset of cold weather, every driver faces the problem of glass fogging. This causes great inconvenience, and sometimes can become a serious problem. Deterioration of visibility through the front windows is not only a hindrance to the driver's long-range view, but also a real danger when driving. An anti-fog agent can help with this, which is easy to make with your own hands.
Cause of the phenomenon
Glass fogging is a phenomenon that occurs during periods of cold weather. This effect is observed due to the difference in temperature inside the car and outside. When there is high humidity outside the window, and the car remains dry, the air begins to cool in the closed cabin, causing the formation of condensation that accumulates on the car windows.
When a car sits outside for a long time, it becomes the same temperature as the street. Once it is activated, the motor and possibly the stove make the enclosed space warmer. Then you can observe the fogging effect. It also occurs due to wet clothes that are on the driver after the street. When it begins to dry, the resulting moisture settles on the coldest areas, that is, on the glass. Also among the sources of humidified air are the heater and the breath of passengers.
Defogging products
There are special formulations, and folk remedies are also often used. It’s better to choose one of the ready-made options, but if you don’t have anything at hand, you can get out of the situation using improvised methods; they are almost as effective in their effectiveness. The following types of combating condensation on glass are used:
- Special napkins. Wipe the surface without missing a single area; no additional work is required. This is convenient, the pack lasts a long time and you only need to process the coating from time to time, about once every 3 weeks or more often if the packaging recommends a different frequency.
- Sprays or liquids. The principle of their operation is similar to the first option. You need to purchase a microfiber cloth so that it is lint-free. In the case of an aerosol, spray evenly onto the glass, then wipe dry. Apply the liquid to a cloth and treat the surface with it, then walk with a dry cloth to remove any remaining product and stains.
- A solution of alcohol and glycerin mixed in a ratio of 20:1. Immediately after cooking, moisten the napkin and wipe the glass well, pass 2-3 times until a uniform film is formed and there are no untreated areas left. If marks are visible, it is best to use crumpled newspaper and rub the surface until it squeaks.
- Tobacco from a cigarette. A good option for solving a problem on the road. Moisten a small cloth, pour the contents of 1-2 cigarettes onto it in an even layer, let the tobacco soak for 1-2 minutes and thoroughly treat all the glass. Remove residues with a clean cloth, then use dry material or newspapers.
- Shaving foam or gel. Distribute a small amount in several places, then spread evenly. Rub until completely transparent, this usually takes 3 to 5 minutes. The glass turns out clean, moisture does not accumulate on it, but there is one drawback. When driving at night, the surface will glare, which is not very good.
- Special anti-fog film. It is glued on the inside, the protective effect lasts for years, and nothing needs to be done. It is not worth carrying out the work yourself; it is better to entrust it to specialists so as not to spoil the expensive coating. In terms of price, this option is much more expensive, but there is no need for processing.
Advice! Cars with heated glass do not have this problem; if your region often experiences cold and damp weather, choose models with this option.
Regardless of the option that will be used, you need to properly prepare the surface; you cannot treat it as is. It is first washed with a product, then wiped dry, all protective compounds are applied only after this. It is best to turn on the blower, finally dry and heat the glass, this will increase the work efficiency.
Deal with the problem
To solve the problem of foggy windows, you first need to keep the car itself clean. Often the driver brings with him a lot of snow, which remains on the rugs or clothes. Over time, it will begin to evaporate, settling as moisture. This also applies to the floor itself, onto which all the melt water flows. It is best to spread newspapers or any other material that absorbs moisture under the rugs.
Many car enthusiasts choose to install special air conditioners to solve this problem. When moisture begins to settle on the windows while the car is moving, this device will blow and dry their surface, removing fogging. Of course, you can simply open the window, but there is a possibility that a large amount of snow will be brought into the cabin in winter, and the temperature inside will drop sharply. It’s enough to just let the excess steam escape from the car, for which you don’t have to close the doors right away.
Another common solution is to treat glass with special means. Such anti-foggers can eliminate the formation of moisture. Of course, you first need to wipe the surface, otherwise there will be no desired effect. After application, an invisible coating is formed on the surface, which will create a barrier against evaporation. Rubbing with alcohol works in a similar way, but this is a short-term effect.
How to do it yourself
To avoid spending extra money, you can make your own defogging solution. To do this, you will need glycerin and alcohol, which are mixed into a single liquid. After application to the windshield, a dense film is created that not only repels impending moisture, but also dries it, providing an additional effect. It is important to apply the solution to dry glass so that it does not pool on the surface.
Also, you should not start your trip immediately after treatment, as a strong alcohol smell will remain. To do this, you need to ventilate the car for several minutes. In expensive cars, a climate control system is already built in. It allows you to use the functions of the air conditioner to move the dew point closer to zero, thereby reducing the formation of droplets. This technology can be purchased and installed autonomously in a car, but it will require the presence of air conditioning.
A similar effect can be achieved by rubbing the glass with tobacco from cigarettes. It contains substances that repel moisture, so the effect can last a long time. But such a product cannot always create the required result, because it has a significant drawback - the presence of a characteristic odor and contamination of the glass.
The right choice is the key to success
Among the assortment on the market, it is difficult to make a choice for any situation. You should not immediately pay attention to expensive and branded products; you should choose better quality products. Efficiency largely depends on proper surface preparation. If the manufacturer indicates the need to clean and dry the glass, this must be done. It is advisable to carry out such procedures with alcohol, because its high hydrophilicity will displace water.
Some anti-foggers are produced for specific car brands, so it is better to initially make a choice in their direction. It is also worth purchasing a special product for the inner or outer surface of glass, because there is no universal drug.
To prevent fogging, you can use both purchased products and homemade ones. They will only have the necessary effectiveness if you properly care for the car and the glass surface. It is important to ventilate the interior in cold weather to even out the temperature, and also to prevent snow from getting into the car.
Many motorists do not pay much attention to glass fogging, wiping off condensation with a regular napkin. But such actions do not solve the problem, they only postpone it. It will be much more effective to use anti-fog agents so that moisture does not distract you when driving your car.
Using napkins
When there are no means of protecting against glass fogging at hand, all that remains is to use improvised equipment. The most affordable and acceptable in terms of effectiveness is a napkin. In general, auto chemical manufacturers produce special microfiber products for such purposes, but an ordinary clean napkin can provide short-term results. To do this, you should moisten the cloth with water and, if possible, spray it with a light cleanser from what you have on hand. It is best if it is a special anti-fog agent for car windows, but for a quick effect, any composition that forms a coating will be enough for 1-2 hours. The main thing is that the resulting layer does not cause optical distortion. Next, you need to carefully and without unnecessary pressure wipe the surface with a napkin until the glass becomes transparent.
How to use glass defogger?
First of all, the surface of the glass is cleaned. Depending on the composition and manufacturer’s recommendations, it may be necessary to use special products that will prepare the basis for the further formation of a protective coating. The second stage involves direct application of the spray. Typically the base mass is laid down or sprayed, after which the user spreads it over the entire surface. For this purpose, the car window defogger is equipped with microfiber, which allows the composition to be optimally washed away without harm to the surface. The operation should be performed in a place where ventilation is provided and without direct exposure of the work area to sunlight.
Fighting with folk remedies
Even before installing air conditioning in a car, drivers struggled with fogging in several ways. Here are the most common ones.
- Apply a solution of glycerin and alcohol to the glass. It is important to maintain a proportion of 1 to 10, respectively, so that the glass does not become greasy and does not become covered with stains.
- Wipe car windows with newspapers. Newspapers contain printing ink, which creates a film on the glass. The principle of action of the paint is similar to the action of auto chemicals that can be purchased in the store.
- Some rub the windows with cigarette tobacco, but this method can cause an unpleasant odor in the interior.
Anti-fog film
One of the radical methods of combating fogging is to apply a special film to the car windows. A similar method is used for motorcycle helmets and optics. The material prevents fogging. The film is applied in the same way as the tint film, so it is better to contact specialized workshops for proper installation.
If the glass is fogged up, it is necessary to remove the accumulated condensation, even if the glass blower is already turned on. To remove, use clean, soft sponges or microfiber cloths. It is better to wipe the glass diagonally to prevent streaks.
Important! Do not use dirty rags or sponges to wipe the glass - this will lead to greasy stains and poor visibility.
Excellent visibility while driving is the main requirement for safe driving. It cannot be treated with disdain. Use the recommendations described to eliminate condensation and enjoy a safe ride.
