Foggy windows

[NEK®]

We have a problem with our racingcar.
Like many other racingcars it's get verry hot inside, and when it rains the front window gets foggy.

what can I do about it?

[COLIN STUBBS]

when i raced a car with no heater I used to carry a small piece of bamboo cane with a rag taped to the end and gave the window a wipe. Or some drivers have a fresh air hose aimed at the windscreen. I now have a car with a heater.Why loose a little weight whe you cant see where you are goingh!!

[coln72]

we have the same problem, but being human powered we dont have the luxury of a heater Haven't really found a solution either.

[Jeff 8]

You can get anti fog wipes, just like RainX but for the inside. Failing that use spit, I have used it on visors and goggles, it helps and it's free.

I use one of those stick on visor things, like a Fog City but a different brand, as my visor fogs in the wet and I lost a very important race due to fogging. I bought it almost immediately after.


Jeff

[terence]

Most importantly,make sure you keep the water out of the car because with the exhaust running underneath,the water sitting in the car creates a sauna effect.Check the wheel arches/floor pans for holes and seal them off.You can always run some small bore tubing from outside onto the screen.FOG CITY will help,it what bikers use on thier visors but on long distance events it does tend to give up after a while.

[Slippy Diff]

I fitted a heated windscreen, very trick and it worked.

[GORDON STREETER]

NEK Check back on my threads as you will find we have been there before.
I still haven't found the answer apart from a heated screen.
But getting plenty of air to the screen helps .

[trikesrule]

The V8 supercars over here use heated screens. I have seen kits available for a screen demister like on your rear window demister........trikes

[phoenix]

I had a car that had a very small cockpit and also suffered from leaks. As a result misting was a huge problem.

As I had no heater and there was no heated front screen option, I used a three pronged attack:

1) Dry the car out inside before racing. I used a fan heater which produces a rapid drying effect - but you must have the windows open somewhat and be careful where the heat is directed. I found pointing at the passenger footwell gave the best and was also the safest option.

2) Apply Holts Antimist. This is a product available in the UK but it, or similar products, must be available elsewhere. Try a motorcycle shop, as products like this are often applied to the inside of visors to prevent fogging.

3) Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. Fresh air blowing on the screen always helps - fan assiatnce can also help. There must also be a way for air to leave the car, so opening windows or vents in the side windows, or a special vent at the rear of the cabin into a low pressure area will help get rid of damp air. Don't forget that the driver puts out a huge amount of damp air, through breathing and perspiration.

Good luck!

[Al Weyman]

RainEx or similar defogger product will work as I have read will simple washing up liquid spead on the screen although I have not tried this,I have however fitted a small electric heater available in accessory shops to one of my cars in theplace originally occupied by the demister vent and have not used it in anger yet but by the look of the weather forcast for Monday at castle Combe I may well get opportunity and will report back here how it went!

[greenamex2]

I use a couple of small electric fan heaters.

They work fine as long as you can keep the revs up (10 amps each!) but weigh less than 1Kg.

[Al Weyman]

We may well need them Monday Dennis!

[COLIN STUBBS]

I keep looking at metcheck and it seems to be getting drier for monday.....Must try and remember not to set the car rock hard after we forgot to take the soft stuff to Mallory.Kept getting reminded aboout 2/3 of the way round Gerrards each lap....Wehey!!

[Al Weyman]

looks lovely for Tuesday, same old story.

[Notso Swift]

Originally Posted by Jeff 8

You can get anti fog wipes, just like RainX but for the inside. Failing that use spit, I have used it on visors and goggles, it helps and it's free.

FogX (made by RainX) is made for the job and comes in the same type of bottle as RainX, I have had it for 6 years and it is still half full, all for AU$5. Just re-apply if you think you are going to use it (like RainX)
And have air blowing on as well.
Living where I do this is not an uncommon problem and I have happily made up bulk positions due to a little preperation.

[NEK®]

Ik will check of i can get some of that RainX, i've heard of it before.
Because we have a race over 3 weeks in Spa, and the weather there is always tricky.

[JohnD]

Replacing the hose that feeds the windscreen demist vent cured mine.
Just takes ram air from outside, below the windscreen- no heat.
But make sure that it won't collect water - arrange a drain in fron tof the bulkhead, or use the original.
John

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by JohnD

Replacing the hose that feeds the windscreen demist vent cured mine.
Just takes ram air from outside, below the windscreen- no heat.
But make sure that it won't collect water - arrange a drain in fron tof the bulkhead, or use the original.
John

Plus maybe a small computer fan on a switch in that hose to blow air onto the windscreen

[Al Weyman]

Oh nearly forgot to report back, the small 12v heater worked a treat in the damp at Combe on Monday that plus a treatment of rain-ex Defogger and I had a beautiful clear screen.

[StockHatch782]

I'm sure there are no magic solutions to this problem, other than a heater which will inevitably add quite a lot of weight.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a perspex screen? The usual sprays etc. don't seem to have any effect, although the temperature difference probably means perspex will not steam up so quickly.

Incidentally, the steaming up of rear and side windows stops you from looking in your mirrors, allowing you to concentrate on what's in front of you!

[Al Weyman]

The little electric heater I am talking about weighs very little also if you are cunning you could make it quickly removableif conditions are good.

[Chris Y]

Got a link to the product, Al? Or where you got it, or the full name of it?

[speedsense]

A very simple and Cheap solution that works very well, especially if your in a jam, is Dove Dishwashing soap. Works wonders, squirt it into a cloth and wipe it on, wipe with a dry towel but don't take it all off. Pesto, clear windshield.

[Al Weyman]

I picked it up off the shelf at a Macess trade store. It was dead cheap but I think many good motorshops should stock them, it is designed to plug into the cigar lighter.

[grichie87]

12 volt heater from Ebay works ok