How to make anti-freeze without alcohol at home with your own hands
How to make an antifreeze with your own hands? Just
Do-it-yourself anti-freeze at home
In winter, pouring water into the washer reservoir may not only be useless, but also unsafe. This can damage not only the tank itself, but also the flexible water supply hoses and the pump. But the worst thing is that at the most inopportune moment you will lose a full review, and this can end in disaster.
Buying washer fluid in a store will, of course, resolve this issue without any extra effort. If you travel once or twice during the winter, then this option is yours. But if your car is used very actively, in winter, then a do-it-yourself antifreeze is for you. At the same time, you can save a lot. Below we will tell you how to make anti-freeze at home.
It is quite easy to obtain a liquid of sufficiently good quality. You just need to purchase your favorite factory version from a car store and study the composition. Next, all that remains is to gather together the necessary ingredients and mix them together.
But in reality, everything is not so simple: the composition indicated on the package may, to put it mildly, be different, and not all components are available for retail sale.
You will now learn how to make an antifreeze with your own hands simply, using available components.
Alcohol-containing washer fluid
Winter washer fluids of this type are divided according to the type of alcohol they contain:
- Based on methyl alcohol. This category is prohibited by law, as it has increased toxicity and, as a result, is very dangerous to health. But, despite all this, it is often used by unscrupulous manufacturers due to the low cost of the main raw materials;
- Using ethyl. It is also the raw material for the production of the “famous” drink. Making anti-freeze bags from it is the most expensive and therefore occurs infrequently;
- Manufactured using isopropyl alcohol. The most common component used in the production of goods of this class. It has a pungent odor that resembles acetone. It has a negative effect on the human body only when ingested. Doesn't have a good effect on the car's finish.
Now we have gradually approached the question of how to make anti-freeze.
Based on all the positive and negative qualities of the liquids considered, we will not risk our health and the health of our passengers (children may be among them). And we will begin to make our windshield wiper from ethyl alcohol, familiar to everyone. I can disappoint those who love saving - this will not be the cheapest option. For this we need:
- Ethyl alcohol used in medicine. You can buy it in online stores with delivery straight to your door. And it is sold in various volumes, from small to twenty-liter canisters.
- Water. Distilled is better, but if you don’t have one, you can use water passed through an ordinary filter.
- Any detergent, for example, the one used for washing dishes. There are no restrictions here, you can use what you have available.
- Well, you can use a flavoring agent to add flavor.
Mix water and ethyl alcohol in the percentage required to obtain an antifreeze liquid to the temperature you need:
After mixing, add detergent at the rate of one tablespoon per three-liter bottle of the mixture and give it all a scent with a fragrance.
A few more recipes
All other recipes will be of interest to those who like to save money. Antifreeze based on methanol.
Be careful methanol is a strong poison. Therefore, when working with it, you must be careful and under no circumstances allow it to get into your respiratory tract or eyes.
To prepare this recipe you need nine parts water and one part methanol. Also, everything is mixed and scented soap is added.
Prepare using isopropyl alcohol. We fill twenty percent of the container with isopropyl alcohol, fill the rest with water, and forget about fragrance and soap.
You can also use any alcohol-containing window cleaner. We dilute it at the rate of two parts water and one part product and our mixture is ready for use.
How to make anti-freeze at home
Antifreeze without alcohol
Some may be interested in the question: is it possible to do it yourself without freezing alcohol? Yes it is possible. There are recipes without alcohol.
Do-it-yourself anti-freeze without alcohol
Do you have dishwashing liquid at home? Let's put him to work! You will need a three liter jar of water, one tablespoon of the product, mix, ready! But know that the quality of your mixture directly depends on the quality of the detergent used. Therefore, before “experiments”, check whether the soap you plan to use will not freeze (put it in the freezer or on the balcony).
You can use vinegar. But don’t forget - it can only be used from minus ten degrees. Otherwise, there will be a terrible smell in the car interior. To make this wash, you need to mix water and vinegar in equal proportions.
Manufactured using ammonia. For this recipe you need to mix three parts water and one part ammonia. Be careful not to allow foam to form when mixing. The resulting mixture is not recommended for use at very low temperatures.
Try to use distilled water for cooking. “For guaranteed results, test the liquid you prepare or purchase.” To do this, place a small volume in the freezer at a temperature slightly higher than that planned during operation of the car. If it is not frozen, you can safely pour it into your car.
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Source: http://legkoe-delo.ru/vkhod/obzory/100640-kak-sdelat-nezamerzajku-bez-spirta-v-domashnikh-usloviyakh-svoimi-rukami
How to make a do-it-yourself anti-freeze for a car? Basic rules and recipes | #OkayDrive
Anti-freeze is a liquid that allows you to keep your car glass in good condition during the winter season. If in summer you can get by with water poured into the washer reservoir, then in cold weather you should resort to special means to keep the glass in a condition suitable for driving.
The price of a common mediocre anti-freeze is quite low, and you can buy it not only in any car store, but also on the highways or in supermarkets.
However, as research shows, anti-freeze from an unknown manufacturer is not only ineffective, but can even be dangerous for the driver, passengers and the environment. You can buy a high-quality antifreeze, but it costs a lot of money, and over the entire winter period you will have to spend a considerable amount on washer fluid.
There is a third option - to make your own anti-freeze, the quality of which you can be sure of. There are several recipes for preparing washer fluid.
Do-it-yourself anti-freeze - basic cooking rules
Anyone can prepare anti-freeze at home from available materials without any problems and without spending a lot of time on work. In this case, the output will be a solution that is much better than most washer fluids sold in stores.
Despite the fact that the recipes below are perfectly verified, you should know a few basic rules for making anti-freeze with your own hands:
- For the anti-freeze composition, only well-purified water can be used. Since tap water is not always ideal, it is better to purchase drinking water in large bottles, otherwise there is a high probability that the homemade anti-freeze will leave streaks and salt accumulations on the glass;
- First of all, it is recommended to prepare “samples” of anti-freeze. Having prepared half a liter of solution according to one of the recipes, place it on the balcony or in the refrigerator overnight to test its ability to withstand frost;
- Before pouring anti-freeze into the tank “to the brim”, pour a little and check from inside the car to see if there are any extra streaks on the glass that could lead to an emergency;
- You should be careful about the smell of the antifreeze during testing. Since in many cars the aroma of anti-freeze enters the interior, it should not be allowed to be too tart.
If you bought an anti-freeze product on the highway or in a supermarket, all the tests described above will not interfere with it. Be sure to check the liquid before pouring it entirely into the washer barrel. This will minimize the possibility of problems arising due to poor-quality anti-freeze while driving.
Recipes for making antifreeze with your own hands
During the time that motorists have been using winter washer fluid, dozens of recipes have been invented for making anti-freeze with your own hands.
It is believed that in such liquids an indispensable ingredient is alcohol, which allows the solution not to freeze at sub-zero temperatures.
This is not at all true; you can prepare anti-freeze yourself, either using ethyl alcohol or without it.
Anti-freeze based on window cleaner
You can whip up washer fluid using window cleaner. The most important thing in this recipe is to choose the right window cleaner and maintain the proportions. Before creating an anti-freeze solution from a detergent, make sure it contains alcohol.
The liquid for the washer barrel must be mixed in the following proportions: 33% detergent and 67% distilled water.
Thus, if you need to prepare anti-freeze from a full 5-liter bottle of drinking water, you will need 2.5 liters of window cleaner, and in the end you will end up with 7.5 liters of ready-made solution.
Do-it-yourself anti-freeze made from ethyl alcohol
Preparing anti-freeze from medical alcohol can be considered a “classic” recipe that has been used for decades. For the solution you will need to take 3 liters of water and mix them with alcohol.
Depending on how pure the alcohol is, it is recommended to choose the following ratios: about 97% alcohol - 650 grams, 70% alcohol - 750 grams. If the alcohol is more diluted, it will not be difficult to calculate the ratio yourself, but do not forget to take into account the water that comes with the alcohol when calculating.
After mixing alcohol and water, add 1 tablespoon of washing powder to the solution, then dissolve it well in the resulting anti-freeze.
Antifreeze made from vinegar
A very controversial but effective recipe is a vinegar antifreeze. Its peculiarity is that it is recommended to use the ready-made solution only at outdoor temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius. This is due to the fact that anti-freeze made from vinegar has a pronounced unpleasant odor, which is “muffled” at low temperatures.
To prepare antifreeze from vinegar, you should mix the liquids in a ratio of 1 to 1. That is, if you want to get 2 liters of vinegar antifreeze, you need to mix 1 liter of table vinegar and 1 liter of clean water.
Antifreeze based on ammonia
Having access to large volumes of ammonia, you can prepare a good antifreeze based on it. For this, ammonia and water are taken on the basis that there should be 2 times more water.
For example, to prepare 3 liters of anti-freeze with ammonia you need: 2 liters of clean water, 1 liter of ammonia. Mix the ingredients together in a container where they can be stirred independently and not by shaking.
Under no circumstances should foam form when mixing the solution, which is why it is recommended to stir an anti-freeze product of this type with a spoon.
Antifreeze made from ammonia can be modified. When used in extreme cold conditions, it is recommended to add 100-150 grams of vinegar to it (for the volume indicated above).
If the smell of ammonia in the cabin seems too strong, you can try to improve it by using various fragrance products that contain a minimum amount of chemical elements that can react.
Anti-freeze from dishwashing detergent
When preparing a washer fluid based on dishwashing detergent, you need to choose it wisely. You need to use a concentrated product from a good manufacturer.
Fairy dishwashing detergent is perfect for such purposes. If you use another dishwashing liquid, you also need to make sure that it is resistant to cold.
Place the experimental sample on the balcony or in the freezer overnight.
Anti-freeze based on dishwashing detergent is one of the most budget-friendly options. To prepare 5 liters of solution you will need only 1.5 tablespoons of concentrated dishwashing detergent. If a diluted product is used, it is better to experiment with the proportions first.
As you can see, it’s not at all difficult to make an antifreeze with your own hands, and it will turn out clearly no worse than that of the hucksters who sell a similar product on the side of the road without permits or certificates.
You should buy the washer fluid in specialized car stores, but its price is very different from the cost of cheap solutions.
If you want to save money, it is better to prepare antifreeze yourself, at least this way you can be absolutely sure of its safety for human health.
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Source: https://okeydrive.ru/kak-sdelat-nezamerzajku-svoimi-rukami-dlya-avtomobilya-osnovnye-pravila-i-recepty/
Do-it-yourself anti-freeze: 4 recipes for anti-freeze liquid from improvised means - DRIVE2
With the onset of winter cold, motorists have more worries related to preparing their car for operation in difficult weather conditions. It is necessary to change the tires, fill up the oil and do a lot of other things to ensure that trips go as normal.
How to make your own antifreeze
A mandatory step is to replace the windshield washer fluid in accordance with the season.
The use of special liquids for glasses will ensure their cleanliness and good visibility for the driver while driving, which is the basis for safety.
Liquids purchased from a car dealership have the following properties: they remove dirt at low temperatures; after treatment, the glass remains clean, without streaks, stains; they do not have a harmful effect on the body coating; they are absolutely harmless to humans
So it’s almost impossible to do without this product in winter.
But there are times when the cold weather has already arrived, an urgent, long trip is ahead, and the driver did not have time to stock up on a special windshield washer.
In this case, you need to use available tools and proven recipes that will allow you to prepare antifreeze liquid at home.
There are several proven windshield washer formulations that will cope with the task and allow the driver to hit the road with clean windows.
Window washing liquid No. 1.
The composition of this liquid is very simple: 1 liter of table vinegar, 1 liter of distilled water, 200 g of dishwashing liquid or gel.
Mix everything and get a non-freezing soap liquid with a pleasant smell. Anti-freezing properties (even at -15 degrees) are provided by vinegar.
Window washer fluid No. 2.
The composition of this version of the fluid is even simpler: 3 liters of distilled water + 300 g of detergent. Mix everything until foaming. This product is effective at temperatures not lower than -5 degrees.
Windshield washer fluid No. 3.
This product is very effective even in cold weather of -25 degrees, but its composition contains more ingredients than the first ones.
You will need: 250 ml of 96% alcohol, 3 liters of water and 1 tablespoon of washing powder. First, mix alcohol and water. Next, dissolve 1 spoon of powder in half a glass of water. We filter the resulting composition and now mix all the ingredients.
Glass washer fluid No. 4.
For preparation you will need: 0.5 liters of vodka, 2 liters of water and lemon (lemon juice will be used).
Everything is mixed, left for a while and poured into the tank.
It should be noted that all fluids should be used only at low temperatures, otherwise the car will emit the smell of alcohol or vinegar. At the first opportunity, it is necessary to replace the homemade washer with a factory one.
Source: https://www.drive2.ru/b/2571270/
What and how to make anti-freeze at home in 5 minutes?
Even a schoolchild knows the physical properties of water, when at a temperature below 0°C it smoothly turns from a liquid state into a solid state, or, in simple terms, freezes.
And it’s simply unacceptable for motorists to ignore such facts; at the first frost, problems with the car’s windshield washer system can cost a pretty penny.
Therefore, experienced drivers fill the washer reservoir with antifreeze compounds in advance.
What is the composition of winter washer fluid for a car?
Regular operation of the machine in winter requires constant replenishment of a special mixture, which entails significant costs.
The second reason that can push a car enthusiast to make his own “anti-freeze” is the unsatisfactory quality of the industrial product.
A solution that freezes at low temperatures can cause cracks in the tank and hose, as well as failure of the pump.
Before making a wash at home , it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the main ingredients that are used in the factory composition. Structurally, the complex of main components looks like this:
- Surfactants.
- Water.
- Alcohol.
- Flavoring.
The domestic industry uses monohydric alcohol – isopropanol – as an alcohol-containing substance. Products based on it are inexpensive, but have a significant drawback, which is the presence of an extraneous odor. To get rid of it, manufacturers of antifreeze emulsions add flavorings to them, although judging by the reviews of motorists, this is of little use.
The best thermal modifier, which is part of the washer fluid, is considered to be ethyl alcohol, in simple terms – “food alcohol”. However, excise taxes on this product in Russia are so high that manufacturers have abandoned its use. Sometimes you can find “top” ethanol-based mixtures, but the price for a five-liter canister will immediately discourage you from purchasing it.
Another alcohol solution, methanol, is cheap, does not freeze down to -98°C and has no pronounced odor. It is quite widely used in EU countries, but in Russia it has been banned since 2007 due to “certain inclinations of certain segments of the population”, as well as the harmfulness of its fumes.
Thus, it turns out that the choice is not very large. On the one hand, isopropyl mixtures cost 400-700 rubles in dealer stores, and on the other, methanol emulsions cost 50-200 rubles on the highway.
In the first case, the integrity of the rubber bands and the solidification threshold are guaranteed, but you have to breathe a specific “lemon” or “pine”. In the second option there will be no smell, since the solution is methanol, however, there are no guarantees.
This is why many car owners “open their own production” of winter windshield fluid, and, believe me, there is nothing complicated about this technology. But the benefits are obvious.
Method 1: how to make a winter wash from isopropyl alcohol at home in 5 minutes?
To prepare the emulsion you need to stock up on the following components:
- Isopropyl alcohol.
- Dishwashing detergent (chlorine-free).
- Water.
Before making anti-freeze at home , let's decide on the container in which the ingredients will be mixed - traditionally this is a five-liter canister or a plastic bottle. From this we begin to “dance”:
- pour two liters of water into a container;
- add two liters of isopropyl;
- add one capful of detergent;
- close the lid of the canister and shake the mixture thoroughly.
The above recipe with a 50/50 concentration is quite suitable for cold weather down to -20°C. However, those who wish can prepare the solution specifically for certain weather conditions. In this case, there is a rule - the lower the temperature, the more alcohol needs to be added. Table of percentages to help:
Alcohol concentration, V% | Alcohol concentration, weight % | Freezing temperature, °C |
10 | 8 | -4 |
20 | 17 | -7 |
30 | 26 | -15 |
40 | 34 | -18 |
50 | 44 | -21 |
60 | 54 | -23 |
70 | 65 | -29 |
80 | 76 | -37 |
90 | 88 | -57 |
100 | 100 | -90 |
All that remains is to test the finished product, for which you should pour a little of the mixture into a container and place it in a place with a low temperature. If it freezes or thickens, it is necessary to increase the concentration of isopropyl.
Method 2: how to make high-quality anti-freeze from ethyl alcohol at home?
Some car owners do not like anti-freeze mixtures based on isopropyl alcohol, either legally produced or homemade. They are mainly irritated by a pungent odor that cannot be gotten rid of even by turning on recirculation. In such cases, a homemade ethanol-based mixture can help.
Let's prepare the components:
- Ethanol.
- Ethylene glycol or concentrated antifreeze.
- Essential oil.
- Distilled water.
Many who are interested in this method of how to make a winter wash at home will be surprised by the presence of ethylene glycol in the list. The explanation here is simple - in frosty weather, alcohol evaporates on the glass first, and the water remains and freezes. And ethylene glycol, soluble in water and alcohol, reduces the volatility of the solution.
On average, the solution is prepared in a ratio of 1:2, where 1 part is alcohol and 2 is water. Depending on the temperature at which you plan to use, the composition can be adjusted. The scheme for adding alcohol per 5-liter canister is as follows:
- -5°C – 0.6 l;
- -10°C – 1 l;
- -15°C – 1.25 l;
- -20°C – 1.65 l;
- -25°C – 2 l;
- -30°C – 2.5 l.
The second step is to add ethylene glycol to the container at the rate of 15 cm³ for each degree below zero. For example, for -20°C you need to add 300 grams of glycol.
The third stage is to get rid of the vodka smell; those who are not bothered by it can skip this step.
Here we could use food flavorings or gel “scent”, but we only need everything natural. Therefore, we will buy a bottle of essential oil with the desired aroma for 100 rubles - it should be enough for the whole winter.
Add 8-10 drops of oil to the canister and add water to the full volume, then mix the mixture thoroughly.
For those who are interested in the topic of how to make anti-freeze from ethyl alcohol at home, it will be useful to know one detail. To increase cleaning properties, you can add one tablespoon of washing powder. The resulting product is not cheap (about 250-300 rubles), but its quality is impeccable.
Alternative: what else can you use to make your own anti-freeze liquid for glass?
Bottles with a blue composition, which are often found in markets or on highways, are mostly made from methanol, which is why they are cheap. The quality of this product, although illegal, is quite acceptable. But recently they began to “encrypt” it as legal, adding isopropanol for smell. And this is unacceptable for many.
If the two methods discussed above do not suit you, then there are alternative options.
- Using methanol - 1 part methyl alcohol is mixed with 9 parts water. To improve glass cleaning, you can add a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent. During the cooking process, it is important to prevent methanol from getting into the respiratory tract and eyes!
- Using vinegar - the component is mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio. It is important to know that this emulsion is used at temperatures above -10°C, otherwise the “aroma” of vinegar will be present in the cabin.
- Using ammonia , the solution is prepared in proportions of 1:3, where 1 part is ammonia and 3 is water. When mixing, do not allow foam to form. The mixture is not suitable at ambient temperatures above -10°C. The question arises: how to make a winter wash at home so that if this value is exceeded, the solution does not harden? It's simple - add vinegar in an amount of 10% of the total weight.
In all cases, you can optionally add a natural or synthetic flavor. On average, 8-10 drops are enough for a five-liter container; in particular cases, the amount is determined experimentally.
conclusions
When making your own antifreeze liquid, it is highly advisable to use distilled water. This measure will protect the nozzles and washer pump from deposits of mineral salts.
The most effective are mixtures based on isopropyl or ethyl alcohol when produced in-house. Although the total cost of our own product is somewhat high, its quality is an order of magnitude higher than its factory counterparts.
It is imperative to check the resistance of the liquid to low temperatures by testing a small amount of the finished emulsion. In case of freezing or thickening, you need to boost its properties by adding an alcohol-containing substance. Labeled canisters must be stored out of the reach of children and animals.
Source: http://autobann.su/kak-sdelat-omyvaiku-v-domashnich-usloviyach.html
Do-it-yourself anti-freeze for cars
Timely cleaning of the windshield from dust and dirt is a factor that determines the safety and efficiency of maneuvering.
In summer, water can be poured into the washer reservoir, but when winter , special anti-freeze compounds are required.
This washer does not freeze at sub-zero temperatures, which eliminates the possibility of damage to the reservoir, hoses, and other components.
If you need to constantly purchase high-quality washer fluid, considerable expenses are expected. But there is a way out - a do-it-yourself anti-freeze solution for your car. It doesn’t take much time to make such a liquid; all the ingredients are available.
What can you make a washer from?
The desire to make your own antifreeze liquid may arise not only because of the cost of the product. Poor quality compounds are often noted, which begin to freeze at higher temperatures. Unscrupulous manufacturers may use prohibited bases, the fumes of which harm the driver, passengers, the environment and even the car’s coating.
When thinking about how to make anti-freeze at home, you need to prepare materials and not forget about safety precautions. All manipulations should be carried out with gloves.
Often the washer uses a base in the form of alcohol or alcohol-containing substances.
Here you can use:
- isopropyl alcohol is the most popular base, characterized by optimal cost and safety (it is actively used in the production of anti-freeze products);
- ethyl is the most expensive option; this alcohol is used in medicine (the choice of such a base is not economically feasible);
- Methyl alcohols are the most accessible, but they should not be used, since the evaporation products can harm humans.
To do the work yourself you need to prepare:
- plastic bottle;
- measuring container;
- gloves;
- basis;
- water is needed .
Depending on the chosen recipe, you may additionally need:
- powder, dishwashing detergent;
- fragrance to improve smell;
- blue, dye;
When performing all work, do not forget about safety precautions.
How to make your own non-freezing liquid?
The recipe for preparing a composition based on isopropyl alcohol is very simple. You need to take the alcohol itself, water and detergent, mixing them in the optimal proportion.
Main stages of work:
- Prepare a plastic bottle or a canister of suitable volume. 2 liters of water, preferably distilled, are poured into it.
- The next step is to add isopropyl alcohol in the same volume (2 liters). The resulting liquid can work effectively at temperatures down to -21 -23 degrees. If you need to increase frost resistance, increase the amount of alcohol in the washer. For example, with only 35% water content, the anti-freeze will retain its beneficial properties even at -29.
- Adding a detergent will improve the performance of the product. One cap is enough for the whole bottle. You should not overdo it, otherwise foaming will increase, which will affect the quality of the system - the glass will be less cleaned.
- The final stage is to thoroughly shake and mix all components.
With the right approach, manufacturing the product will not take much time. When studying the composition of antifreeze for cars and the proportions of components, it is worth noting that the quality of the constituent products also matters.
Attention:
Using ordinary water to prepare washer is dangerous due to the formation of deposits and the appearance of traces of rust. This causes damage to the tank, nozzles, and other components of the system (if there is no distilled water, you can take regular water, but it must be passed through a household filter and allowed to settle). The detergent must be of high quality; the presence of chlorine is not permissible.
Other methods of making anti-freeze
Also popular among car owners are other ways to make anti-freeze yourself. Just choose the appropriate recipe and get to work.
What can be used to prepare the washer:
- Window cleaner. This product usually contains alcohol. Therefore, preparation involves adding one part of the product and two parts of water (preferably distilled).
- Dishwashing liquid. This product is also suitable for work, but you need to choose only high-quality formulations from proven brands, because this determines the final characteristics. For 3.25 liters of water, add a spoonful of concentrate.
- Vinegar is used as a raw material. To obtain a working fluid, you need to combine vinegar and water. Take the same proportions of the components. We must not forget that such a product is designed to work in severe frosts, from -10. At higher levels, the entire car will be filled with a sharp, unpleasant odor .
- Using ammonia, it is enough to take one part, adding 3 parts of water, but you need to mix the composition carefully so that foam does not form. This option is not suitable for severe frosts, but you can increase its performance and frost resistance by adding 50–100 grams of vinegar.
- Ethanol, the same medical ethyl alcohol, is rarely used due to its higher price. The proportions depend on the characteristics of the base - when choosing 70% alcohol, you need to take 750 grams of the product and add 10 300 gram glasses of water. If there is 96.6% alcohol, take 650 grams. After mixing the ingredients, add a spoonful of powder (if actively used in the machine, a clear smell of alcohol may be felt).
- Methanol is a dangerous and prohibited substance because it is odorless and undetectable in high concentrations. It is not worth working with such a foundation on your own. And yet, to obtain an anti-freeze agent, they mix part of the methanol and 9 times more water, adding dyes and a spoonful of dishwashing detergent.
Having studied the recipes and proportions, every car enthusiast will understand how to make anti-freeze quickly and efficiently without harm to health.
How to check washer fluid?
You should not pour the solution into the system without first checking it. It’s easy to verify the quality of the prepared composition - you need to pour it into a container and leave it in the cold. If after several hours the initial characteristics have not changed, you can safely use the antifreeze. Sometimes the liquid becomes gel-like and freezes, which means you need to add more isopropanol.
When buying a composition for cleaning car glass, you want to choose a quality product. But, as before, there are counterfeit formulations made on the basis of methanol. With a large amount of vapor of the substance, the driver and passengers feel nausea and dizziness. But how to determine methanol in an anti-freeze solution?
Verification methods:
- You need to take copper wire. Using a lighter, it is heated and lowered into the liquid. If it contains methanol, it will smell like vinegar.
- Soda - its addition to products with methanol is accompanied by complete dissolution. Whereas in other cases, soda precipitates.
- The smell is also different. Isopropyl has a pungent odor, while methanol contains no unpleasant odors.
When using non-freezing liquid, it is necessary to ensure proper storage conditions, excluding access for animals and children.
Source: http://auto-sovets.ru/svoimi-rukami/nezamerzajka-svoimi-rukami-dlya-avto-prosto-i-bystro.html
Do-it-yourself: making an anti-freeze solution for a car
During the cold season, there are situations when the temperature quickly drops below zero, and the garage has run out of windshield washer fluid. In this case, you can quickly make an antifreeze with your own hands for a car of any brand. Let's consider the most popular folk recipes for preparing the composition, their advantages and disadvantages.
Making a vodka-based solution
For anti-freeze from vodka, it is extremely important to use “fire” from ethyl alcohol
One of the most basic options for providing yourself with a windshield remover is a vodka solution. Any vodka (not “scorched”) based on ethyl alcohol is suitable.
The hot drink does not freeze in cold temperatures down to the mercury level of -25ºC, and as a supplement, prepared and purified water is used, which does not leave a stain and does not contain solid impurities. In principle, vodka itself is suitable for pouring into the washer reservoir.
If you expect light frosts, you can play with the proportions of water/alcohol by adding distillate to the container. If, for example, you dilute the contents of a bottle with water in a ratio of 40/60 (40 – vodka, 60 – water), then the resulting glass can successfully resist crystallization in the range from -5 to -10ºC.
An important addition is a dirt-soluble element or detergent, in other words. Both car shampoo for the body and non-aggressive detergent compositions for dishes, fleecy coverings, as well as liquid soap are suitable.
A teaspoon of product will be enough for 1 liter of solution, otherwise, if you overdo it, foaming will reach a critical level, and while driving the car will be covered with a layer of soap bubbles. Also, you should not use strong chemical cleaners that are intended for washing utility lines, drains, heating systems, etc.
Even automatic washing powder can cause an undesirable reaction on chrome moldings, rubber seals and varnish surfaces of a car.
Advantages:
- vodka is available always and everywhere, often in kitchen supplies;
- The product is non-toxic and does not cause chemical burns.
Flaws:
- an alcoholic drink, taking into account state excise taxes and relatively expensive glass containers, is not cheap;
- it is impossible to achieve a condition that can withstand severe frosts.
Video recipe for making anti-freeze from vodka
The above recipe is not bad, but in your search for cheap vodka, you can run into “bodyagi” that is dangerous in its composition. In this case, many look much more favorably towards homemade moonshine. It is noticeably cheaper than factory analogues, and in terms of strength it can significantly exceed the latter.
Thus, from the same volume, almost twice as much finished windshield washer product can be achieved. In addition, pure moonshine will do an excellent job of wiping the “lobovukha” in severe frosts, without leaving streaks or efflorescence.
True, this is true exclusively for high-quality moonshine.
Advantages:
- reasonable price, possibility of making at home;
- You can provide the washer fluid with a liquid that does not freeze down to -40ºC.
Flaws:
- If the moonshine is of poor quality, then oily stains may appear on the glass, and the liquid itself will have a sharp, unpleasant odor.
Winter glass from ethanol: proportions, pouring into the heating system
Both vodka and moonshine as glass cleaners are valuable for their high content of ethyl alcohol, which can be freely purchased at a pharmacy or household chemicals store in almost pure form. The alcohol content according to GOST is 96%, which makes it possible to make aqueous mixtures of various saturations:
- 1:9 – -5ºC;
- 1:4 – -10ºC;
- 1:2 – -23ºC;
- 1:1 – -35ºC, etc.
Advantages:
- neutral odor, no toxic fumes;
- when using distilled water there are no impurities;
- high cleaning characteristics;
- no negative impact on paintwork, rubber, plastic, chrome;
- Ethyl alcohol is available in every pharmacy.
Flaws:
- Pharmaceutical alcohol is expensive, which is why factories never use it to make antifreeze liquids.
Winter glass cleaner made from pharmaceutical alcohol is good because it cleans perfectly and does not damage car parts.
In addition to cleaning glass, ethanol does a good job of dissipating heat in water heating systems. Unlike other alcohols, it is non-toxic and does not damage rubber seals or aluminum parts. And most importantly, after a couple of frosty nights, the batteries will not greet the owner with bursts from frozen water.
Production of homemade anti-freeze without ethyl alcohol
Methanol can be used instead of ethyl alcohol. It is much cheaper, but is very toxic. Just a glass of concentrate can cause death, and inhalation of methyl alcohol vapor leads to severe intoxication, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness.
Therefore, if you work with methanol, do so in a ventilated area, wearing a respirator. It is undesirable for the composition to come into contact with the skin.
Otherwise, the work on preparing the antifreeze is identical to the situation with ethanol - the base is diluted with distilled water with the addition of detergent in a ratio of 1 to 9.
Advantages:
- cheap;
- effective in severe frost (if the appropriate alcohol concentration is selected).
Flaws:
- methanol is dangerous; if it leaks into the cabin, its vapor can intoxicate the driver;
- It may be difficult to find alcohol for public sale (the product is banned in a number of countries).
Option using isopropyl alcohol
Isopropanol seems to be the “golden mean” in the world of alcohol-containing antifreezes - not as toxic as methanol, but not as expensive as ethyl alcohol. 2-propanol is widely used in solvents and paints and varnishes, which indicates its aggressive nature towards automobile varnishes and enamels.
However, a moderate amount of isopropyl alcohol is considered quite acceptable as an active component of factory glass cleaner. Mass production uses an approach in which the alcohol is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 4, supplemented with detergent and an aromatic fragrance designed to eliminate the pungent odor of isopropanol.
To prevent the liquid from crystallizing at minus 35-40, the ratio of alcohol to water should be 1:1.
Advantages:
- You can easily buy it in the household chemicals department or order it online;
- alcohol is not much more toxic than ethyl alcohol - health problems arise only with internal use;
- Isopropanol has long been considered the standard in the field of glass cleaners for winter use.
Flaws:
- high concentrations have a negative effect on paintwork.
In not very severe frosts, you can completely do without ethyl alcohol, and alcohol in general. For example, a 50/50 water-vinegar solution will allow you to confidently combat ice and liquid dirt on the windshield at temperatures around -15ºC.
But using a tandem in warmer weather is not recommended due to increased evaporation and the penetration of a pungent odor into the cabin. Another “homemade” recipe uses ammonia, which is carefully dissolved in water based on a 1:2 ratio.
Advantages:
- such products do not pose a risk to human health;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- both vinegar and ammonia have a pungent, unpleasant odor;
- The aggressiveness of the products towards paint and chrome should be taken into account.
Household glass cleaning composition
Another way to obtain a safe mixture for cleaning car glass in cold weather involves using a household alcohol-containing window cleaner at home.
The composition of such products includes ammonia, which dissolves fat deposits well and resists frost.
But the effectiveness of “Mr. Muscle” against the backdrop of automotive realities is low, so it is better not to dissolve it with more than two parts of water. But in this case the cleaning effect will be ensured.
A glass cleaner mixture has an excellent cleaning effect and is safe to use.
A glass cleaner mixture has an excellent cleaning effect and is safe to use.
Advantages:
- cleans glass well;
- the manufacturer usually adds flavoring;
- the product is not toxic.
Flaws:
- not suitable for severe frosts.
- If there is a heated washer reservoir
If you use a washer fluid heating system on your car, there is little point in messing around with acids and alcohols.
You just need to buy a high-quality dishwashing detergent and dilute it with distilled water in the ratio of one glass (50 ml) per three-liter jar.
Cheap and cheerful: factory additives will prevent the water from turning into a block of ice, and heating the tank will ensure a liquid solution with high cleaning characteristics.
Source: http://AvtoMotoSpec.ru/test-drive/nezamerzajka-svoimi-rukami.html