Since I DO seem to get this question a lot for some reason....
08-07-2001, 05:16 AM
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Since I DO seem to get this question a lot for some reason....
Here is the formula for the Audi windshield washer fluid, and the link.
<b>excerpt:</b>
<i>Posted by Bill Schulz on October 09, 1997 at 12:30:24:
OK, Guys 'n Gals,
Enough of you prodded me to look at this stuff in the lab that I did...turns out the formulation is pretty simple. I'd consider what I did "semi-quantitative" - didn't construct calibration curves, etc. to do a DETAILED quantitation. HOWEVER, for something "low tech" like washer solvent I'm sure I'm plenty close.
Not surprisingly, my "analytical nose" didn't fail me - the primary component is isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol; sometimes sold as rubbing alcohol - but denatured ethanol is also sold under this name). Secondary organic component is methanol (wood alcohol), the TYPICAL alcohol found in washer solvents. The approximate ratio of 2-propanol/methanol is 3/1 (by gas chromatography for those of you who care....).
The density of the solvent is 0.86 g/ml, and incorporating the densities of isopropyl alcohol, methanol, and water into a simple calculation one finds that the solvent is about 65% alcohols and 35% water. In these days of worrying about VOCs, I'm AMAZED that there's this much organic in the solvent! However, once you smell the stuff, you KNOW it's full of 2-propanol...
So, if you want to make a liter of washer solvent that looks, acts, and smells the same as the OEM stuff just mix 488 mL 2-propanol, 162 mL of methanol, and 350 mL of water (come within 20% of these and you'll be more than close enough, I'm sure). REMEMBER, I'm talking PURE materials here - if you buy rubbing alchohol that is 20% 2-propanol, you aren't going to be able to reproduce this formulation.
Anybody know the price for this solvent cocktail from a dealer? It's pretty unique as far as washer solvents go (although not "exotic" by any means)...I'll bet it's not cheap...
Happy formulating!
Bill
P.S. Had a REAL fun time taking a sample with the permanent filter on the washer solvent reservoir; had to CATCH solvent as I expelled it from the washer nozzles!!! "Typical" A4 owner, eh? ANYTHING for a bit more information.....
</i><ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/bbs/archive/970930/messages/966.html">https://www.audiworld.com/bbs/archive/970930/messages/966.html</a</li></ul>
<b>excerpt:</b>
<i>Posted by Bill Schulz on October 09, 1997 at 12:30:24:
OK, Guys 'n Gals,
Enough of you prodded me to look at this stuff in the lab that I did...turns out the formulation is pretty simple. I'd consider what I did "semi-quantitative" - didn't construct calibration curves, etc. to do a DETAILED quantitation. HOWEVER, for something "low tech" like washer solvent I'm sure I'm plenty close.
Not surprisingly, my "analytical nose" didn't fail me - the primary component is isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol; sometimes sold as rubbing alcohol - but denatured ethanol is also sold under this name). Secondary organic component is methanol (wood alcohol), the TYPICAL alcohol found in washer solvents. The approximate ratio of 2-propanol/methanol is 3/1 (by gas chromatography for those of you who care....).
The density of the solvent is 0.86 g/ml, and incorporating the densities of isopropyl alcohol, methanol, and water into a simple calculation one finds that the solvent is about 65% alcohols and 35% water. In these days of worrying about VOCs, I'm AMAZED that there's this much organic in the solvent! However, once you smell the stuff, you KNOW it's full of 2-propanol...
So, if you want to make a liter of washer solvent that looks, acts, and smells the same as the OEM stuff just mix 488 mL 2-propanol, 162 mL of methanol, and 350 mL of water (come within 20% of these and you'll be more than close enough, I'm sure). REMEMBER, I'm talking PURE materials here - if you buy rubbing alchohol that is 20% 2-propanol, you aren't going to be able to reproduce this formulation.
Anybody know the price for this solvent cocktail from a dealer? It's pretty unique as far as washer solvents go (although not "exotic" by any means)...I'll bet it's not cheap...
Happy formulating!
Bill
P.S. Had a REAL fun time taking a sample with the permanent filter on the washer solvent reservoir; had to CATCH solvent as I expelled it from the washer nozzles!!! "Typical" A4 owner, eh? ANYTHING for a bit more information.....
</i><ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/bbs/archive/970930/messages/966.html">https://www.audiworld.com/bbs/archive/970930/messages/966.html</a</li></ul>
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08-07-2001, 09:26 AM
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The benefit is...
satisfying that addiction to the smell.
The formula is actually pretty good - no freezing in cold weather, cuts thru the bug remnants, relatively streak-free, and more importantly, dyeless. It is hard to find the necessary products. to make it though.
Is it worth making up your own? Only to a die-hard enthusiast. Personally I shy away from dyed liquids, as you never know if it will stain, especially lighter colored cars.
The formula is actually pretty good - no freezing in cold weather, cuts thru the bug remnants, relatively streak-free, and more importantly, dyeless. It is hard to find the necessary products. to make it though.
Is it worth making up your own? Only to a die-hard enthusiast. Personally I shy away from dyed liquids, as you never know if it will stain, especially lighter colored cars.
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