DIY "bug & grime clean" fluid for car window washer

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › DIY "bug & grime clean" fluid for car window washer

Batman

Mad Scientist
30012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#179156 29-Aug-2015 10:44

Instead of buying the $10 bottle bugs and grime window washing liquid, can i use something else that does not harm the system?

What about armourall "new car" washing liquid (new car is more gentle and less harsh compared to heavy duty i presume)?

Thanks

RunningMan

9186 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4838

#1376024 29-Aug-2015 11:12

I've seen Bars Bugs in 10 or 20L containers at a far more economical price - might have been SuperCheap?

RunningMan

9186 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4838

#1376044 29-Aug-2015 11:20

Here you go

http://www.bindons.co.nz/itemdetails/Bars-Bugs-10-Ltr/40406.aspx

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10209

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1376045 29-Aug-2015 11:20

How much do you use the squirter that the cost of the bars bugs is really an issue? I bought 2 bottles ages ago and still have one and a half left.

Richard rich.ms

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 373

#1376046 29-Aug-2015 11:22

I treat windscreen with rain-x and ever only use plain water 7n washer reservoir

Make it harder for bugs to stick rather than easier to remove :P

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

#1376070 29-Aug-2015 12:25

Looking at formulas for windscreen wash products, all the ones I could find were very simple, inexpensive, and really not much different from regular domestic window cleaning spray:

Water (up to 95% of course, but less in "concentrates")
Alcohol (methanol/ethanol/iso-propanol) as solvent.
Butyl glycol ether - an inexpensive solvent with detergent/surfactant properties - used in normal window cleaner and "spray and wipe" type products.
Sometimes a trace of ammonia
A trace of dyestuff.

At ready to use concentration it wouldn't cost more than a few cents a litre to make. Problem is that retail price for small quantities of solvents is at least 10x bulk price, and you'd have to hunt around to find a supplier of glycol ether. Methanol is pretty toxic - I guess they use it in US windscreen wash as it's also a good de-icer. I'd use isopropanol in NZ, but if you go to buy it in bulk, an assumption may be made that you're Walter White in disguise.

Bulk packs from Supercheap auto seems like a lot less hassle.

Rainex make a cleaner which is a little different - containing a little bit of silicone/siloxanes similar to their normal Rainex repellent. Don't know if it's available in NZ but it seems like a good idea.

Don't use detergent/carwash etc - the window wash formula is (close to) 100% volatile - cleaning detergents will contain mainly non-volatile ingredients (apart from the water) which will leave smears.
Never use dishwashing detergent on your car. It contains lots of salt. It's also based on the wrong type of surfactant for dispersing dirt, road grime etc from paintwork (anionic vs cationic).

Jase2985

13731 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6202

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1376074 29-Aug-2015 12:29

joker97: Instead of buying the $10 bottle bugs and grime window washing liquid, can i use something else that does not harm the system?

What about armourall "new car" washing liquid (new car is more gentle and less harsh compared to heavy duty i presume)?

Thanks

where are you buying it from? on special at repco its under $5 for a bottle that can be used for 3 fill ups

one fill up generally last me about 6 weeks

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Batman

Mad Scientist
30012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1376088 29-Aug-2015 12:58

RunningMan: Here you go

http://www.bindons.co.nz/itemdetails/Bars-Bugs-10-Ltr/40406.aspx

thanks heaps! can start my own business! ;p

Batman

Mad Scientist
30012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1376089 29-Aug-2015 12:59

richms: How much do you use the squirter that the cost of the bars bugs is really an issue? I bought 2 bottles ages ago and still have one and a half left.

umm ... i don't. have always had really old cars and I put heavy duty car wash (diluted of course).

but when I service my newer cars they charge $15+gst for their bug liquid and i was quite cheesed off.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10209

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1376093 29-Aug-2015 13:02

So ask them not to do it. I also ask them not to wipe inside down with stinky cleaning products since I can't stand them.

Richard rich.ms

mudguard

2327 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1250

#1376120 29-Aug-2015 15:17

I actually tipped window cleaner in mine. It was in the car as I'd cleaned the inside of the glass (I can never understand how it gets so grubby).
Works nicely. But probably not the most economical as the washer container is enormous. The petrol tank is 50L and yet I'll often never beat the pump while I'm filling the washer reservoir with water.