Winter Ice Removal Tips: How to Scrape Your Windshield Safely and Effectively
Winter weather can be tough on your car– especially your windshield and windows. Scraping snow and ice improperly can lead to scratches, cracks, and even safety hazards. TruFit knows how important it is to protect your glass. Here is the right way to do it:
STEP 1: Let your car warm up
- Start your vehicle and set your defroster to HIGH. Warm air helps loosen the snow and ice from the inside. This makes it much easier to remove from the outside.
- DO NOT pour hot water on your glass. The sudden temperature change can cause it to crack.
STEP 2: Use the proper tools
- Invest in a quality scraper with a plastic blade, and a snow brush with soft bristles.
- DO NOT use metal tools, spatulas, or credit cards. They will scratch your glass.
- DO NOT slam windshield wipers against the glass to break ice — it can damage both the wipers and windshield.
STEP 3: Clear snow before scraping
- Use your soft-bristled snow brush to wipe away loose snow from your windshield, side and back windows, mirrors, lights, and roof. This prevents re-freezing and low visibility when you are on the road.
STEP 4: Scrape at the correct angle
- Hold the scraper at a slight angle (about 30–45 degrees) and push in one direction. Don’t use a back-and-forth sawing motion — it increases the risk of scratches. Work from the edges toward the center, where ice is usually thickest.
WHEN SCRAPING IS NOT ENOUGH
- If your windshield is already cracked, scraping ice can make it worse. In that case, it’s safer to schedule a repair or replacement before the damage spreads.
- TruFit AutoGlass is here to help drivers in Louisville, Northern Kentucky, and Southern Indiana with windshield repair, replacement, and recalibration
