I'm thinking of getting a cover for the windscreen of my g/f's car (VW Polo) so as to reduce the amount of effort needed to de-ice it on frosty mornings. Just wondering if anyone has one that they'd recommend? I was thinking of just a windscreen cover to start but then I'm wondering if a half car cover would make more sense as it protects all the windows from frost, not just the windoscreen.

 

There's a ton of them on Amazon and many of them have glittering reviews (as usual! 🙄)...but it's difficult to know how good they are without trying them. Some look OK but others look very flimsy. And some of them have the flaps you trap in the doors to stop it blowing away, but I have read these can sometimes lead to water ingress...? Don't know how bad that actually is though. 

 

Main requirements are that it's easy to fit (don't want to start having to pass straps under the car), it doesn't blow away if it's windy and it actually stops the windows icing up!

I use one for the windscreen only, it's the quilted, dual-purpose type with reflective silver one side for use in sun. Certainly keep the screen clear. Never had an issue with water ingress where it traps inside the front doors.

Full car cap could be useful if not needed to be secured under vehicle. 

Edited 21 November, 20241 yr by Warrior193
added information

Amazon isn't the only 'retailer' in the world and not always the best prices.

 

My wife was given a Halfords quilted windscreen cover for Xmas a couple of years back used a lot as we don't have a garage, it does the job very well and no need to put the windscreen wipers in "service" position as it covers them, held on by the front doors closing on to it and mirror mitts plus three magnets at bottom that hold the bottom edge on to the bonnet.

 

Downsides, it's quite big and bulky but can be folded into its bag, normally we through it on the back seats or hang it in the bathroom to dry the outer side.  The magnets are powerful and have put some minor scratches on the bonnet so I have thought about removing them and tucking the front edge under the bonnet but its quite windy where we live and I've yet to bother really looking into this.

 

I've had top covers before and I think (don't know) you might need quite a bulky one to keep the frost off.

 

Not related to frost but we also use a couple of Pingi dehumidifier bags as my wife's Fabia Mk3 gets an enormous amount of condensation on the inside of windscreen on occasions and it can be many minutes to clear the clear to is kept in the car to cause or add to this issue, never had such a problem with other cars.

 

1 hour ago, nta16 said:

Amazon isn't the only 'retailer' in the world and not always the best prices.

 

My wife was given a Halfords quilted windscreen cover for Xmas a couple of years back used a lot as we don't have a garage, it does the job very well and no need to put the windscreen wipers in "service" position as it covers them, held on by the front doors closing on to it and mirror mitts plus three magnets at bottom that hold the bottom edge on to the bonnet.

 

Downsides, it's quite big and bulky but can be folded into its bag, normally we through it on the back seats or hang it in the bathroom to dry the outer side.  The magnets are powerful and have put some minor scratches on the bonnet so I have thought about removing them and tucking the front edge under the bonnet but its quite windy where we live and I've yet to bother really looking into this.

 

I've had top covers before and I think (don't know) you might need quite a bulky one to keep the frost off.

 

Not related to frost but we also use a couple of Pingi dehumidifier bags as my wife's Fabia Mk3 gets an enormous amount of condensation on the inside of windscreen on occasions and it can be many minutes to clear the clear to is kept in the car to cause or add to this issue, never had such a problem with other cars.

 

Removing the magnets and using the wipers in service position to hold the cover down is probably a better position. 

3 hours ago, slicendice said:

to reduce the amount of effort needed to de-ice it on frosty mornings.

keep open doors for one minute before leave car to make interior temperature closer to outside

1 hour ago, Warrior193 said:

Removing the magnets and using the wipers in service position to hold the cover down is probably a better position. 

I'll have a look at that.  It may be that the cover is too long from top to bottom for it to comfortably sit under the wiper but my wife has a sewing machine - but the cover and the car are hers so it's what she wants and when.  ETA: for the scratches, I've not been into cleaning the whole car for years so not that bothered about minor scratches, they can go when the car does.  I used to do two-day cleaning, removing wheels and seats but those days are long passed since then as long as the lights, windows and reflective number plates are clean the rest can wait (a very long time for the Fabia).  We used to have our clubs stand near the AutoGlym and later Meguiars competition stands at the NEC so I've seen cars literally in bubble wrap and decades of other shows.

  

Edited 21 November, 20241 yr by nta16
ETA:

17 minutes ago, MartiniB said:

keep open doors for one minute before leave car to make interior temperature closer to outside

Doors are let open for a minute when putting the Halfords cover on my wife's car whilst its put into position.

 

@slicendice

One biggie (imo) to consider, is where to put it when you take it off ...... 

 

taking into consideration not only that you want to keep it clean for the next time's use but that also ideally it needs to be dry ...... as possibly dependant on the material, if water gets underneath or it is already wet when you put it in place, it could freeze to the screen.

 

If you store it in the car then I would assume it will cause damp or / and condensation issues.

 

I would think they are good to use for the nights that are dry, but just get moisture freezing from the air, and maybe snow, but if it rains and then freezes with the cover already in place, maybe not so good.

Storage certainly is a consideration, depends on how long the journey is and if it is to be used at the other end.  With the one my wife uses, such as today at 7 am she took it off the car hanged it up in the bathroom.  Never seen it stick to the windscreen as it is quitted and outer surface of a material that has water run of it but it still can hold some water/moisture in the pattern of the cover if nowhere else but this has never been a concern with her use of this cover.  It's horses for courses.

 

With part/top/hood covers many may wick through unless lined or of a material that may not allow this or not be durable.  I expect you could spray them with the tent cover sort of stuff perhaps but that depends on the material they're made of.

 

ETA; My wife has said about the Halford quilted windscreen cover she has "it's lovely, it's the best cover I've ever had" and she said it's no problem with rain and frost and has never stuck to the screen at all.

 

I use one for the OH's car, bought it from Costco years back and it's branded 'Frostblocker' and it does what it says.

 

Throw it over the windscreen and attach it to the mirrors with elastic straps, covers the wipers too.

 

I've actually got two but I never use the other one because, well, heated windscreen