# Windshield Washer fluid alternative

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluid-alternative/68511>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** windshields, fluids\
**Created:** [October 10, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluid-alternative/68511 "2011-10-10T04:05:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluid-alternative/68511/21 "2011-10-12T01:34:00Z")

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no no…oily mess on windshield

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**Author:** ![StrongDreamsWaitHere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/strongdreamswaithere/32/2014_2.png) [@StrongDreamsWaitHere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/StrongDreamsWaitHere)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluid-alternative/68511/22 "2011-10-12T02:00:29Z")

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I would avoid hardware store denatured alcohol. It’s about 90% ethanol but to make it non-drinkable they add things like methyl ketone and acetone, which could damage your paint. Look for methanol or isopropyl alcohol. You probably want somewhere between 50% and 70% methanol or isopropyl with the balance being water and maybe a drop of detergent. Or take commercial -40 windshield washer fluid and dilute it 1 to 1 with 90% isopropyl or methanol.

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**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 9:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluid-alternative/68511/23 "2011-10-12T09:23:32Z")

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Isopropyl works the best, we used to use it as a washer fluid booster on trucks when venturing into 40 below territory. A 12 ounce bottle to a gallon of 25 below washer fluid.

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**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluid-alternative/68511/24 "2011-10-12T15:28:23Z")

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Nice…Thanks Oldtimer

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