De-icing

[PuntoSS]

Hi folks,

Recently (with all the snow etc) the door locks on my car have been freezing over, making it impossible for the key to go into the lock.

Got some "Lock De-icer" from Halfords for £1.50 the other day and I have to say it is great but it takes a while before it starts to de-freeze the locks, leaving me, stood shivering by the door!
Any ideas to speed up the process?

Also, my car doors are getting stuck because of the ice - i.e. once unlocked and I pull them open, they are stuck and need a real tug to open them - anyone got any ideas that will prevent them sticking?

 

[TJ07]

Try taking a bottle of water with you and pour it around the frame of the door before you try opening it, that usually un-sticks it for me. As for locks you could try the old technique of carefully warming the key with a lighter before putting it in the lock.

 

[SeanW]

Try taking a bottle of water with you and pour it around the frame of the door before you try opening it, that usually un-sticks it for me. As for locks you could try the old technique of carefully warming the key with a lighter before putting it in the lock.

Yeah, just don't leave the lighter in the glovebox thinking "Ahh, can't lose it then"

(No prizes for guessing which bright spark did that...lol)

 

[Andy Monty]

(No prizes for guessing which bright spark did that...lol)

as for the doors sticking shut give them a liberal coating of bumper care jell (i use autoglym) or dash board shine and do not buff off

 

[Ninja59]

i find AG vinyl and rubber works best for me to stop the door sticking on the punto....

 

[paulyev]

I also use the AG Vinyl 7 Rubber on the seals. It does help a lot and is cheap.

 

[karbineftw]

Try taking a bottle of water with you and pour it around the frame of the door before you try opening it, that usually un-sticks it for me. As for locks you could try the old technique of carefully warming the key with a lighter before putting it in the lock.

Ahh the pro's of remote central locking are coming into play this winter for me! haha
Good idea though lol

 

[TomSwindellMK3Punto]

Someone told me at work a think layer of vaseline stops your doors stickin

 

[Jai]

Someone told me at work a think layer of vaseline stops your doors stickin

whilst i admit to loving my car, the thought of "lubing up" an entry point is a step too far......

 

[MiG]

Ahh the pro's of remote central locking are coming into play this winter for me! haha
Good idea though lol

Remote central locking hasn't helped me. Still struggle getting in the car....

 

[chrizzlephaa]

whilst i admit to loving my car, the thought of "lubing up" an entry point is a step too far......

:slayer:

 

[PuntoSS]

Dunno if it's any good, but ordered some "Night Before De-Icer" from Halfords and picked up at my local store today. Hope it does what it says on the tin - and stops it from icing up overnight!

 

[mehstg]

I also use the AG Vinyl 7 Rubber on the seals. It does help a lot and is cheap.

Loctite also works a treat

 

[billy440]

Dunno if it's any good, but ordered some "Night Before De-Icer" from Halfords and picked up at my local store today. Hope it does what it says on the tin - and stops it from icing up overnight!

let me know how it works for you, recon that stuff will work inside the locks and the other windows?

 

[PuntoSS]

I've just sprayed some on now as it was starting to ice over, so we'll see the result in the morning, I guess!
I put it on all of the windows, not sure about the locks yet.

 

[maddogmorg]

Dunno if it's any good, but ordered some "Night Before De-Icer" from Halfords and picked up at my local store today. Hope it does what it says on the tin - and stops it from icing up overnight!

tried that before, didn't think much of it though.

spray WD40 into the lock, will repel moisture and hopefully prevent the ice from forming in the lock.

my drivers door was frozen shut today, had to get in via the back door. put some vaseline round the seals tonight, should stop it from happening again.

 

[Andy Monty]

Vaseline will knacker the rubber seals...

 

[karbineftw]

Remote central locking hasn't helped me. Still struggle getting in the car....

Just whip out 'guns and pull!

 

[PuntoSS]

Interestingly enough ... in fact I won't tempt fate. I'll see tommorow morning!

Anyone got any ideas on how to stop the windscreen washer hoses from getting blocked and also how to stop the windscreen washer from icing up and melting into clear water?
Someone told me methanated spirits works (prevents the windscreen washer from freezing over), but I'm not sure.

What you guys think???

 

[SeanW]

Yeah, I'd also be interested in knowing.

Whilst waiting for my Mum to finish in the Hospital I decided that I should probably de-clog my washer jets. I'd expected that they'd move a little whilst de-clogging, so gave it a squirt to check...I was right, offside one had moved...straight into myface, and yes, the screenwash tastes bloody awful!! (Still a tad better than the coffee from the Hospital cafe :yuck