Degreaser mixed in with washer fluid?

[stefcio007]

Is this a bad idea long term?

Works wonders at cleaning my windscreen and ensuring a clean glide for my wipers.

My Google foo mustn't be very good because I can't find anything about specifically putting degreaser as part of washer fluid mix.

P.S It's food grade (safe) degreaser that comes in those big 5L containers.

[Itsme]

I've seen some degreasers stain paint work if not washed off in time, personally I would not use it no matter how diluted.

[stefcio007]

Food grade degreaser is pH neutral so that should make it ok for paint right?

Regular degreaser is probably not safe.

[Sabantien]

I have to think at the very least it would strip the wax off your paint.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by stefcio007

Is this a bad idea long term?

Works wonders at cleaning my windscreen and ensuring a clean glide for my wipers.

My Google foo mustn't be very good because I can't find anything about specifically putting degreaser as part of washer fluid mix.

P.S It's food grade (safe) degreaser that comes in those big 5L containers.

Try to find the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for the product and see what precautions or ingredient list it states including the pH of the product.
Just because something states it's food grade doesn't automatically mean it's completely safe, in it's neat state (product in the container) it could be more harsh then you realise until diluted down to the "At Use" concentration.
Maybe tell us the product's name and I'll look at at (I'm an industrial chemist).
Many window cleaners use a water base with Isopropyl alcohol and a small amonut of surfactant and solvent like a glycol ethers, these are usually fine but again it's not much effort to find out exactly. Some degreasers on hot paint can damage the surface.

[stefcio007]

I was originally going to post the product but couldn’t remember what it was exactly. Here’s the safety data sheet https://www.globalspill.com.au/wp-co...rganic_202.pdf

Appreciate the analysis in advance.

[Crazy Dazz]

Have to admit, when I read the title, I thought you were nuts.
But yeah, calling this stuff degreaser, is a bit of a stretch.

As a very general rule, I would keep anything with ethanol away from your wipers, but even at full strength this stuff is weaker than a lot of beers.

[Fed]

I sprayed my windscreen with windex and the over spray took the polish off the front of the roof.

[bungarra]

If your water is hard water (High Calcium) the potassium citrate may cause the calcium to crystallize and block your spray jets and/or lines.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by stefcio007

I was originally going to post the product but couldn’t remember what it was exactly. Here’s the safety data sheet https://www.globalspill.com.au/wp-co...rganic_202.pdf

Appreciate the analysis in advance.

I have to say stating "No data" for the pH in Section 9. in the SDS is pi55 poor considering it's one of the most simple things to measure with a basic test strip.
I'm assuming the product is alkaline and has a pH above 7, how high cannot say.
As mentioned by others, to call this product a "degreaser" is stretching it a bit by the supplier/manufacturer however if you are diluting the product into your washer reservoir than I can't see too much issue with paint damage.
Crazy Dazz and Bungarra make good points.
Let's assume all ingredieants are at the max. range of the SDS then when diluting even 1:4 with water which would be 1 litre of this product in a 5 lt reservoir topped with water then the Ethanol level is around 1.5% and if you made it 1:10 with water,...well it's not worth worrying about it.
I've used things from window cleaner in my cars to pH neutral dishwashing liquid...the window cleaner was ok, while the dishwashing liquid foamed too much....then again I used my own stuff, was mucking around and wasn't exactly taking too much care with the dilution...

[stefcio007]

Yeah, I’m not straight using it. About 100mL per 4L reservoir.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by stefcio007

Yeah, I’m not straight using it. About 100mL per 4L reservoir.

I guess the most important question after potential risk...I forgot to ask ..how does it work...?

[happy1]

Hi,
I always use a squirt of dishwashing liquid to mix with tap water when I fill up the window washer reservoir. I pre-mix the dishwashing liquid with water in an empty container before I fill it into the reservoir. It works very well, and I have never clogged up the nozzles.

Cheers,