Is vinegar safe for paint and rubber?

[Eric H]

This seems to be the best place to answer this question.

I read on a non car wash site that spraying car windows with a spritz of vinegar and water at night will keep them from getting frosted. I want to try it but am concerned about how the acidic vinegar may affect the paint, wax, door seals, and wipers.

 

[Waxman]

Not sure I'd spray vinegar on w/out rinsing.

The acidity would worry me, too.

Stop being so lazy. You don't even have an IBA to frustrate you yet!!!

 

[jfmoran]

Vinegar is not all that acidic by volume, unless you are using the pickling kind. It should not damage the glass, paint or anything else. It might etch paint or glass if you were to spray it on in direct sunlight and high heat and let it sit for a long time. You have heard of ice scrapers right?

 

[Waxman]

I asked my smartest friend your question and he said "won't it just evaporate?".

Anyhow, did you try it and if so what resulted?

I can try it on my plow truck if I remember.

 

[buda]

My sources at Heinz tell me that you can prevent icing on a windshield by applying a solution of three parts white or apple cider vinegar to one part water.

Seems they would not go on record advising such a remedy if it caused damage to glass.

Just some well intentioned thoughts.

Bud A