Prestone Ice Shield De-Icer

longhaul747

New member
A few weeks ago I picked up a bottle of this stuff from my local auto parts store along with some other stuff. Even though its a rather basic formula I have not seen it around before. At least not in a conventional spray bottle. Finely we have some very cold and clear nights and with the humidity being the way it is we get a lot of frost on the cars.

As instructed I sprayed the product on my windows before going to bed. In theory its supposed to keep ice from ever forming on the windshield. Unfortunately in this regard it was mediocre at best. I woke up with plenty of ice on my windshield and it did not just wipe away when the wipers were activated as advertised. However where this product really shines is when you spray it on the windshield in the morning. Ice literally melts away on contact.

Out of curiosity I picked up the regular Prestone De-Icer product now available in the same type of spray bottle. It works pretty good but not as good as the Ice Shield formula and it takes considerably more product to make it work. I bet its much the same formula but the Ice Shield version is slightly darker yellow. This might mean its more concentrated is all. The Ice Shield version is about $1 more then the regular de-icer but you use more of the regular stuff so in all likely hood it might be a little cheaper to use the Ice Shield formula. Funny no place on the Ice Shield bottle says you can use it as an immediate de-icer but it works better then the regular de-icer...go figure!!

The cool thing about both products is you no longer have to scrape ice. The last thing I want to do is scrape ice when I get up at 7am to take my wife to school after working the night before. The not so cool thing about this stuff is it appears to be poisonous. So some caution is necessary and keep it away from children. Oh so important as it seems to have a hint of anti freeze and a slight sweet smell. When using it you start to wonder how it would taste making it a danger to children.

Interestingly you can make your own de-icer spray by mixing rubbing alcohol and vinegar with a few drops of dish soap mixed in the spray bottle. Likely products already in someones home. However I have not tried this home made formula. I notice these de-icer products tend to fly off the shelves when the cold hits in my market. So its likely at some point in the future I might be forced to try the home made formula. When I can't find any of the Prestone stuff.

Anyways just wanted to share my experience. BTW, its harmless to your vehicles finish. Something that makes me nervous with the home made recipe. Vinegar if strong enough could etch the paint...possibly maybe!!
 
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I just buy the whole gallon @ Wally for $2.99 plus if you look for the small tiny $1.00 (mail-in) rebate sticker, it ends up $1.99.
 
Lose the spray bottle and just pour it in you windsheild spray resevoir.

I also switched over to the Rain-X de-ice and the stuff has performed quite well in our sub zero temps this last week and will use it til spring.
 
Lose the spray bottle and just pour it in you windsheild spray resevoir.

I also switched over to the Rain-X de-ice and the stuff has performed quite well in our sub zero temps this last week and will use it til spring.

Having the spray bottle in hand is handy for doing the side windows. Getting a deicer in the windshield spray resevoir is a god send though. Unfortuntely I don't and mine are frozen up. Next time I stop by the auto parts store I am going to buy a deicing and antifreez additive for the resevior. Probably to late for this cold snap though.
 

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