Ballast Homemade windshield washer fluid

[Deflexor]

I was talking with my wife about ballast and using washer fluid. After looking at prices she showed me a youtube video "Diy windshield washer fluid ".

The video indicates you only need water, rubbing alcohol, and Dawn dish detergent.
Researched and found out commercial fluid has methanol, where rubbing alcohol is isopropyl, both lower the freezing temp of the solution. Some indication of using ammonia in some diy recipes.

What prevents the water in windshield washer fluid from being corrosive? (The soap?)

Seems I could make my own washer fluid for less than a dollar a gallon. There must be some flaw in my thinking, can someone tell me what it is?

 

[fried1765]

I was talking with my wife about ballast and using washer fluid. After looking at prices she showed me a youtube video "Diy windshield washer fluid ".

The video indicates you only need water, rubbing alcohol, and Dawn dish detergent.
Researched and found out commercial fluid has methanol, where rubbing alcohol is isopropyl, both lower the freezing temp of the solution. Some indication of using ammonia in some diy recipes.

What prevents the water in windshield washer fluid from being corrosive? (The soap?)

Seems I could make my own washer fluid for less than a dollar a gallon. There must be some flaw in my thinking, can someone tell me what it is?

If you shop carefully, you can sometimes buy windshield washer fluid very inexpensively.
I bought 80 gallons of -20F fluid at an end of season sale for $1.20 per gal.

 

[shooterdon]

I bought mine on sale at Menard's. It was less then $1.25 a gallon but that was three years ago.

 

[k0ua]

To help answer your question about the corrosive ability of the water component of WW fluid or any mixture you would make up. The reason the water doesn't just rust out the rims right away is because of the low oxygen content inside the tire. And the fact you fill the tire so that the fluid is covering the rim. With the rim covered there is low oxygen content in the water and the rust process is starved for oxygen. Does some rusting happen? yes, but it is greatly slowed down.

 

[oosik]

Hi Deflexor. I made up a gallon of that stuff and am just now using up the last of it. Seems to work OK and I see no corrosive action anywhere. Corrosive action from the water - ??? What kind of water do you have there??? I have spring water - pretty high in dissolved minerals but it's left no "dry water spots" anywhere. I used the gallon in the windshield fluid tank on my truck.

If you are planning on using it in your rear tires - be careful. You want to be certain that whatever you make will go down to at least -20F or lower. Gets pretty cold in your neck of the woods.

Your 11.2x24 rear tires will take 24 gallons each to reach the 75% fill level.

 

[dusty3030]

For filling tires I buy it in bulk 55 gallon drums. You have to shop around but there will be a jobber / distributor somewhere near you that can order it in. Try your local NAPA. If you have a car repair shop or tire shop that you have a good relationship with get them to order you a drum the next time they buy some. Believe it or not the last time I got some the best price was at Grainger.

 

[3Lfarms]

I bought a 55 gallon drum of methanol and mixed it about 1:2.5 with water IIRC. Made about 130 gallons to fill my rears. Math says it should be good down to about -22f.

 

[PILOON]

For cheap WW fluid you might visit a car rental agency.
They buy fluid in 45 gal drums to service their rental fleet.
U can perhaps purchase from them.

 

[msb1766]

I bought 40 gallons of washer fluid from Walmart for .99 a gallon last year.

 

[aczlan]

I bought 40 gallons of washer fluid from Walmart for .99 a gallon last year.

I missed the windshield washer fluid when they had it for sale this spring, but I did buy 30 something gallons of RV antifreeze for a dollar a gallon.
It worked perfectly to load the tires in our project tractor.

Aaron Z

 

[redobbin]

What about beet juice for tire ballast on par per pound with calcium chloride and windshield washer fluid price wise, non-toxic, biodegradable, non-corrosive, and good to about -35? Real question...

 

[RoyKing]

Now that isopropyl is so expensive , but here was my recipe that works great on love bugs. Gallon of distilled, 3oz of isopropyl , teaspoon of simple green, five drops of dish soap mix let sit over nite.

 

[Old Shas]

Check for used oil buyers in your area. Many of them will sell used antifreeze by the barrel for a very reasonable price. I've never heard of rust or corrosion problems with it.

 

[JJT]

Check for used oil buyers in your area. Many of them will sell used antifreeze by the barrel for a very reasonable price. I've never heard of rust or corrosion problems with it.

Avoid used antifreeze, that's an environmental disaster should you spring a leak.

Beet juice is the way to go, if that's too expensive, windshield washer fluid or environmentally safe RV antifreeze are alternatives.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Wouldn't the alcohol eventually disipate and render the solution useless as an antifreeze? Not sure how it would escape, but I just imagine it wouldn't stay potent in the tires forever.

I'm guessing the soap is just to aid in cleaning the windscreen.

 

[ovrszd]

I've had WWF in my tires for 8 years. Park in an unheated Machine Shed. Haven't had any freezing problems.

 

[jimglassford]

If you look for a local source for the Methanol, you will find it is pretty expensive per drum due to the purity. Also, I have the feeling transporting a drum of flammable liquid violates the local DOT codes. A commercial manufacturer of Washer Fluid buys lower quality methanol in bulk. They add the soap or ammonia because some people actually us this liquid to clean their windshields. Watch for a sale and you can find gallon jugs fairly cheap. I purchased 110 one gallon jugs from Menards. The cashier never asked why. Beat Juice is the best product due to the weight of 11 pounds per gallon compared to washer fluid just over 8 pounds per gallon. However, since Rim Guard is a service, you will pay a lot per tire. Also, if you spring a leak, you lose your investment. I have done two tractors with washer fluid and I am happy with the results. As for corrosion, as other have pointed out, you need oxygen and places where the corrosion cell can concentrate salts. If the rims are clean and painted, they will be fine with washer fluid. If they are rusty to start, the rust will continue.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Rims are rusting out at the valve stems. I don't understand why no one has challenged the Rim Guard business? I was hoping that there would be some alternative by now. Could there be so little market for anyone to bother? Surprised that some of the bigger local tire shops only farm out the Rim Guard and are not a dealer themselves. High franchise fees possibly?

 

[Rebeldad1]

you can throw in a inner tube and fill it washer fluid

 

[ovrszd]

you can throw in a inner tube and fill it washer fluid

And that's why there aren't a bunch of alternatives advertised. Alternatives abound. And they are cheap.

Wouldn't you like to be the guy that pimped using Beet Juice (rimguard)??? He's sitting on a beach right now drinking one of those Fu-Fu drinks with an umbrella in it.....