# Those people that just clear a little circle of snow from their windshield **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 17, 2008, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546 "2008-12-17T13:04:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/1 "2008-12-17T13:04:35Z")
…should die slowly in firey wrecks. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/2 "2008-12-17T13:08:47Z")
I was going to post just this rant yesterday and forgot. Yesterday I was behind a man who had cleared about a square foot of his rear windshield, and had a tiny little space in the front windshield that he was actively enlarging by sticking his hand with scraper out of the window and scraping at every stop light. It wasn’t working. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/3 "2008-12-17T13:34:32Z")
I find it fairly surprising that there’s not a commonly used product on the market that you could spray/wipe on windshields beforehand that would prevent or at least compromise the hold snow and ice have, allowing easy removal afterward. I see RainX claims to offer some protection. Is it actually effective? If so I sure don’t hear much mention of its use. Or, Winston, are some people so cheap they just use it in one tiny circle? ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/4 "2008-12-17T13:35:08Z")
I would prefer they be crushed by a floe off the roof of the car in front. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/5 "2008-12-17T13:41:07Z")
I remember seeing ads on AFN while I was living in Germany featuring soldiers driving around in the snow with only teeny tiny sections of the windows with that clear little circle of snow. Apparently this is a problem that has plagued mankind since the early 80s at the very least. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/6 "2008-12-17T13:49:04Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I find it fairly surprising that there’s not a commonly used product on the market that you could spray/wipe on windshields beforehand that would prevent or at least compromise the hold snow and ice have, allowing easy removal afterward. They say a vinegar solution works well, but I’ve never tried that. I’m not keen on spreading acids on metal objects as a general rule. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/7 "2008-12-17T13:55:11Z")
How ironic. It would allow you to see and drive better but actually increase the “douche bag” comments. ---
**Author:** ![MovingTarget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@MovingTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovingTarget)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/8 "2008-12-17T13:59:52Z")
Yeah, these people should be smacked violently, along with the bastards who leave a huge amount of snow and ice on the tops of their cars. I don’t know how many fucking times I’ve been smacked by crap blowing off the tops of SUV’s and minivans. And yes, I do stay back a safe distance, but sometimes those big chunks of ice and snow can get some serious air time. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/9 "2008-12-17T14:20:21Z")
> [@Winston\_Smith](#): > > …should die slowly in firey wrecks. > > That is all. That’d remove the rest of the snow. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/10 "2008-12-17T14:25:49Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I remember seeing ads on AFN while I was living in Germany featuring soldiers driving around in the snow with only teeny tiny sections of the windows with that clear little circle of snow. Apparently this is a problem that has plagued mankind since the early 80s at the very least. Uh-uh. According to Wikipedia, this phenomenon first manifested in 2001. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/11 "2008-12-17T14:27:37Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I find it fairly surprising that there’s not a commonly used product on the market that you could spray/wipe on windshields beforehand that would prevent or at least compromise the hold snow and ice have, allowing easy removal afterward. I see RainX claims to offer some protection. Is it actually effective? If so I sure don’t hear much mention of its use. > > Or, Winston, are some people so cheap they just use it in one tiny circle? I use RainX. It helps tremendously, but only after you’ve cleared the snow off. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/12 "2008-12-17T14:28:11Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I find it fairly surprising that there’s not a commonly used product on the market that you could spray/wipe on windshields beforehand that would prevent or at least compromise the hold snow and ice have, allowing easy removal afterward. It’s called cardboard. And you don’t even have to spray it on. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/13 "2008-12-17T14:42:04Z")
Sure, if no wind will be accompanying the weather event and you have access to it beforehand and a way to properly dispose of it afterwards. That’s a given. Still, something easy to carry and that you could actually, you know, see through would I’d think be far more preferable. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/14 "2008-12-17T14:42:24Z")
> [@MovingTarget](#): > > Yeah, these people should be smacked violently, along with the bastards who leave a huge amount of snow and ice on the tops of their cars. I don’t know how many fucking times I’ve been smacked by crap blowing off the tops of SUV’s and minivans. And yes, I do stay back a safe distance, but sometimes those big chunks of ice and snow can get some serious air time. Back in another life I drove trucks for a living. I was on the highway one snowy morning when a gust of wind lifted a HUGE sheet of snow (probably the size of a couple sheets of plywood and several inches thick) off the roof of my truck. I felt it come up and off, and watched in the rear-view (side) mirrors as it rose up and majestically rolled in the air, then came down almost completely in tact and buried the car behind me. I’m surprised the guy didn’t go off the road. Anyways, he followed me to my next stop. But that’s another story altogether. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/15 "2008-12-17T14:44:53Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > It’s called cardboard. And you don’t even have to spray it on. I don’t know how easy wet, frozen cardboard beneath a few inches of snow/slush/ice would be to remove. I think what you’re thinking of is actually called a _garage_, **lieu** ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/16 "2008-12-17T14:49:11Z")
Heh, yes, if only every hotel, mall, workplace, sporting venue and destination in general had one. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/17 "2008-12-17T14:49:12Z")
**Those people that just clear a little circle of snow from their windshield** are the same (or related) to the people who can’t bring themselves to use windshield wipers until the rain reaches downpour status. “I can see fine! What’s _your_ problem?” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/18 "2008-12-17T14:50:35Z")
Ah, is it time for this thread again? :: counting down until the first asshole comes in to brag that he never clears his entire car (cuz the snow is just gonna blow off, don’tcha know) and we’re all a bunch of pussies :: ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/19 "2008-12-17T14:51:42Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Sure, if no wind will be accompanying the weather event Just slip it behind the windshield wipers. > [@](#): > > and you have access to it beforehand You would need the spray stuff beforehand, right? > [@](#): > > and a way to properly dispose of it afterwards. Trashcan? I mean, since there isn’t such a product as you describe, a little planning always helps. Or, you can carry around a can of [windshield de-icer.](http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=42) ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546/20 "2008-12-17T14:55:20Z")
> [@MovingTarget](#): > > Yeah, these people should be smacked violently, along with the bastards who leave a huge amount of snow and ice on the tops of their cars. I don’t know how many fucking times I’ve been smacked by crap blowing off the tops of SUV’s and minivans. And yes, I do stay back a safe distance, but sometimes those big chunks of ice and snow can get some serious air time. Oh, for the love of OG, lets not get this one going again! FTR I too hate them and they suck - but we don’t need to rehash this discusion. As far as the card board thing. Wouldn’t it just be easier to cary one of [THESE](http://www.amazon.com/SubZero-Snow-Brush-Ice-Scraper/dp/B0002JM9DU) around? I can clear all my windows in less than a minute. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-people-that-just-clear-a-little-circle-of-snow-from-their-windshield/477546.md?page=2)