Recommended washer bottle additives?

Keith · 3rd November 2006, 15:18

It seems the right time of year to ask this.
I tend to avoid the copious supplies of blue washer bottle top up fluid that begins to stock pile on garage forecourts at this time of year.

I have been led to believe the contents are not always good for the paintwork
I also found it used to jam the bi directional valve on my Picasso so ended up sticking with just ordinary water.

What is a paint friendly brand do you use?

GreyGhost · 3rd November 2006, 15:31

I would tend to do a fill of plain water every now and again to help flush away the sticky residue that can build up in the bottom of the washer bottle and clog the filter.
I have not personally found the cheapo Halfords 2 for 1 ready mixed stuff to be a problem for paintwork and have been using it for many years.
I would however, be interested to hear other views, especially with regard to which ones to avoid.

MGM

Phil · 5th November 2006, 15:01

I always use plain water, never had a problem, even in winter. I've found the water even with additives freezes as soon as it hits the screen so I stopped bothering.

Tatts · 5th November 2006, 17:09

Whatever one uses, it always freezes up.

So, I put a drop of washing up liquid in, if it's good for cutting through my catering grease, it'll cut through road grease!

Phil · 5th November 2006, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatts

Whatever one uses, it always freezes up.

So, I put a drop of washing up liquid in, if it's good for cutting through my catering grease, it'll cut through road grease!

Doesn't that mess up the paintwork and block the pipes?

Keith · 5th November 2006, 18:54

I have heated washer jets (very easy to retrofit) and really need something to stop the washer bottle freezing without breaking the bank as most that I have tried don't seem to be much good

anglaslt · 5th November 2006, 19:51

From now on I'll be topping up with neat washer fluid down to -25. Problem is once the washer bottle freezes not only might it split open but it's devil of a job to get it unfrozen again.
Never had a problem with paintwork and as soon a spring returns I top up with summer wash.
Tom

driverjgp · 5th November 2006, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

I always use plain water, never had a problem, even in winter. I've found the water even with additives freezes as soon as it hits the screen so I stopped bothering.

I agree, but I use the mix coz i find it is better on greasy and dirty screens than just water.

Tatts · 5th November 2006, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

Doesn't that mess up the paintwork and block the pipes?

Not messed my paintwork up yet, and as for blocking the pipes, never had any problem in all the years I've been using it!

Neil Coupland · 6th November 2006, 12:34

Iv'e always used additives, never had a problem with the paint or with the pipes getting blocked, although had this problem with the wife's Zafira. The pump was gunged up, apparantly Vauxhall state that only their own additive should be used, which implies that some are different to others?

Keith, with the heated washers, in icy weather, does the warm water freeze when it hits the screen, or does it retain sufficient heat to clear the glass?:lol:

3rd November 2006, 15:18	#1
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Recommended washer bottle additives? It seems the right time of year to ask this. I tend to avoid the copious supplies of blue washer bottle top up fluid that begins to stock pile on garage forecourts at this time of year. I have been led to believe the contents are not always good for the paintwork I also found it used to jam the bi directional valve on my Picasso so ended up sticking with just ordinary water. What is a paint friendly brand do you use?

5th November 2006, 15:01	#3
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	I always use plain water, never had a problem, even in winter. I've found the water even with additives freezes as soon as it hits the screen so I stopped bothering. __________________

3rd November 2006, 15:31	#2
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	I would tend to do a fill of plain water every now and again to help flush away the sticky residue that can build up in the bottom of the washer bottle and clog the filter. I have not personally found the cheapo Halfords 2 for 1 ready mixed stuff to be a problem for paintwork and have been using it for many years. I would however, be interested to hear other views, especially with regard to which ones to avoid. MGM

5th November 2006, 17:09	#4
Tatts This is my second home MG6 TL Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tarn Posts: 5,269 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 37 Posts	Whatever one uses, it always freezes up. So, I put a drop of washing up liquid in, if it's good for cutting through my catering grease, it'll cut through road grease!

5th November 2006, 18:54	#6
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	I have heated washer jets (very easy to retrofit) and really need something to stop the washer bottle freezing without breaking the bank as most that I have tried don't seem to be much good

5th November 2006, 19:51	#7
anglaslt Loves to post R75 V8 and XPower SV-R Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vilnius Posts: 278 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	From now on I'll be topping up with neat washer fluid down to -25. Problem is once the washer bottle freezes not only might it split open but it's devil of a job to get it unfrozen again. Never had a problem with paintwork and as soon a spring returns I top up with summer wash. Tom

6th November 2006, 12:34	#10
Neil Coupland Gets stuck in Range Rover Sport, MG TF 160 Aubergine Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nottingham Posts: 693 Thanks: 21 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Iv'e always used additives, never had a problem with the paint or with the pipes getting blocked, although had this problem with the wife's Zafira. The pump was gunged up, apparantly Vauxhall state that only their own additive should be used, which implies that some are different to others? Keith, with the heated washers, in icy weather, does the warm water freeze when it hits the screen, or does it retain sufficient heat to clear the glass?:lol: