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Windshield wiper fluid is all fine and good. Except that: 1 - it is expensive for water with a tiny amount of detergent 2- you often run out 3- wiper fluid really does not cut that grimy greasy crap very well. What is needed is something which is an excellent solvent to cut thru crud, dries fast,
and is always in the car.
Obviously, the answer is gasoline. I propose a line from the tank which would administer gas onto the windshield. The gas may need to be delivered from the wiper itself to prevent loss to the air before the blades come by. The wiper blades would need to be gas-resistant rubber. Advantages: better cleaning power, better evaporating power, and if you run out, you have worse problems than a dirty windshield.
My inspiration.
http://www.halfbake...20Windscreen_20Wash [bungston, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]
Lipid extraction methods
http://www.lipid.co...res/topics/extract/ [hazel, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
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Annotation:
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What I would prefer is a system for spraying gasoline on other cars. Like two little flamethrowers coming out of the windshield wash nozzles. |
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[DeathNinja] that's baked in South Africa, as an anti car-jacking device.. |
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Warning: Do not activate windshield washer in convertible models while smoking. |
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Most windscreen washes contain an alcohol, such as methanol, and an antifreeze like ethylene glycol. Alcohols are good solvents for sticky goo. The advantage of methanol is that it's miscible with water, whereas gasoline isn't. You could just up the alcohol content or perhaps try isopropyl alcohol (my favourite solvent due to it's more lemony smell). Alternatively, since bugs insides are largely lipids, use a standard lipid extraction mixture like the Bligh-Dyer with water, methanol and chloroform, though watch the paintwork. And the environment. And your lungs. |
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Funny [hazel], I never would have taken you for a gas huffer. |
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On reflection [snarf], I can see how that last anno could make me seem to be rather over fond of sniffing solvents in an attempt to find excitement. Sadly I'm not that interesting! I'm afraid it's merely a professional interest resulting from too many hours at the lab bench and a couple of years working in the flavour industry. I've developed a (probably unhealthy) fascination with how things smell. Anyway, solvents don't half make the day go quicker ;-) |
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Wow, theres such a thing as the "flavour industry"? The things you learn on this web site... |
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Uhhh, I'd be real careful to not take everything your read on this site as fact... |
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for instance [DeathNinja]'s comment. |
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