Bingster Posted February 21, 2011 Report Posted February 21, 2011 Hi all! We've had an ice storm here for about 24 hours and my car (not my Desoto) is encased in ice. In my younger days I tried the hot water routine and did some damage. Any tips on how to remove the ice without damaging the paint? Quote
greg g Posted February 21, 2011 Report Posted February 21, 2011 room temp water will work to get a door open. Above freezing but not a huge temp difference Quote
pflaming Posted February 21, 2011 Report Posted February 21, 2011 In Omaha, I used to have a small electric heater in my car with the cord hanging outside. In about an hour the car would be warm and clean. Eventually I put a timer on it and used it every morning. Try to open a door, the put an electric heater in it. Good Luck Quote
thrashingcows Posted February 21, 2011 Report Posted February 21, 2011 Use the tepid water to free up one of the doors. Then if you don't have a small electric fan fan I would put a hair dryer on High/hot, then put it on a small piece of plywood and put it on the drivers floor pointing towards the pedals. Then wait..... Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted February 21, 2011 Report Posted February 21, 2011 I would try to use the warm (not hot) water, and perhaps a rubber mallet (gently) to crack off enough ice to open a door. Then I start the car and turn on heater & defroster.....let it sit and run for however long it takes. I try to keep the gas tank full in bad weather to allow for longer idling time. Quote
MarkAubuchon Posted February 21, 2011 Report Posted February 21, 2011 A 5 pound sledge works best Quote
55 Fargo Posted February 21, 2011 Report Posted February 21, 2011 The sun should work wonders, get all removeable snow and ice off car, place car in sun, and not shade. Even up here in Canada, on sub-zero days the sun starts to melt snow and ice off the cars. Use rubber mallet or something to gently tap on the ice, it should break free. Or best yet, pull or tow to car wash or warm building and thaw.... Quote
PatS.... Posted February 22, 2011 Report Posted February 22, 2011 I put straight antifreeze in a spray bottle around the opening on the rubber gasket to open the door and then just run it for a while with the defroster on full. Takes care of most of it. You can also put windshield washer fluid in a spray bottle and spray the windows. Takes a bit to clear ice but does work without damaging anything. Quote
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