It amazes me how creative auto owners get when it comes to removing ice and snow from the windshield or for that matter any glass on their car. Last year's favorite I came across was the guy that used a mallet to break up the ice on his Kia windshield. It worked great on the ice but had one draw back, the windshield had huge stars all over it. At $650 to replace the windshield and it having to be ordered was an expensive lesson on what not to do. 

Over the years I've taken calls about repairing scratched windshields. I've heard of just about every possible way to remove ice and snow. Just as I say that I'm sure I'll get called and told of another inspired genius with yet a new way. Mind you I've read several articles in the last few months from other glass companies on what not to do.

Anyway yesterday I came across a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu with yes a badly scratched windshield caused by removing ice with something other than an ice scraper.

Looks pretty bad from a distance but the below close up really shows how bad it was.

This Malibu windshield had some very deep scratches and with replacement being $700 I hope the guy had deep pockets to pay for it.

Okay on closing here's a list of items that I've been told were used to clean off ice from a windshield with the results being scratched glass.

Awl

Chisel

De-Icer Can

Ice Pick

Key

Knife (pocket, kitchen, putty, utility)

Metal Kitchen Spatula

Pop Bottle (glass)

Pop Can

Sheet Metal

Shovel

Tire Iron

Of course hot water and hammers don't scratch they break glass.

I've been busy lately with a couple of projects, add to this is that with the improved weather it has become a great time to repair a windshield, many have taken advantage of it.

That said one of my projects has been working with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I'm putting together a walk team for MS here in Oklahoma City. A donation will be made from profits in windshield chip repair to this cause.

For those that don't know much about Multiple Sclerosis here is a brief description. Multiple Sclerosis, (MS) is an autoimmune disease, meaning for some unknown reason a body's defense system that protects you from infection suddenly attacks the body itself. In the case of MS it attacks and destroys the myelin coating around the nerves in the spine and brain. During this process nerves that provide the sense of feel, besides controlling muscles along with other body functions can be damaged.

Each person with MS is different but some of the common problems with Multiple Sclerosis include:

 Loss of the ability to walk.

Blurred vision or blindness.

Loss of memory.

The rate of progression also varies case by case.

Sadly at this point there is No Cure, however great advances in managing MS have taken place. A cure appears to be in reach.

By supporting the Glass Aid, Walk MS Team you'll be helping the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I understand much of the money stays here in Oklahoma and does much more than funding research. They also provide:

Support to those with MS and their family. This is important as some insurance companies won't pay for treatment and if a person has insurance from their employer but can no longer work due to the MS or loses a job due to these economic times they will need help. The basic cost to manage the disease can be $2000 a month. This doesn't include an MRI that might be needed that will cost several thousand dollars, blood tests or other medications that may be needed.

A Dream Doesn't Die, just because mom or dad has Multiple Sclerosis, the dream of sending a son or daughter to college doesn't end. The Multiple Sclerosis Society has a scholarship program.

Health professionals that treat MS also get support from the society as well. 

With all that said we invite all to donate to the cause or even better join our team. For more information you can visit a page on the Glass Aid windshield repair website; PreventCracks4MS.com. I've made it easy to get to our team page by pointing the domain PreventCracks.org at it. You can also click on the links in the left column for more information.

Below is a video I found on You Tube that gives more information but also shows just how devastating this disease is.

The Oklahoma City Walk MS is April 25, 2009 at the OKC Zoo. I challenge other auto glass shops and windshield repair companies to match or beat our donation amount and set up a team.