Cleaning Oily Windscreens Presents Baffling Problem

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 12

Cleaning Oily Windscreens Presents Baffling Problem

(New Zealand Hresi Association)

AUCKLAND, February 17. Serious scientific research has failed to solve the problem of how to remove oily film from windscreens. Old motorists* stand-bys such as using a piece of apple, half a potato, or a sheet of newspaper to rub down the windscreen have been suggested by the Auckland Metropolitan Road Safety Council. Today the council received a report from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research which has been investigating for a year the problem of removing the film.

The use of muddy water, says the department, is “undoubtedly sound,” as mud absorbs some oily constituents and has a slight abrasive action.

Inquiries overseas by the department failed to produce any solution. All the Road Research Laboratory of the United Kingdom could offer was to renew wiper blades every two years. Mr D. M. Robinson, chairman of the council, said he had found tobacco useful, and grass “gathered from the roadside” was excellent? “But anything—even detergents —is only effective for two or three hours,’’ he said.

The department summed up its report by saying it thought frequent application of commercial detergent whs probably best

“The newspaper will do me,” said' Mr J. H. Skow, a member of the council