Best Snow Brush

So, it's that time of year. When we're all spending that quality time, out in the snow, clearing off our cars, with those flimsy plastic snow scrapers that we paid next-to-nothing for, and have proven themselves worth what we paid for them.

Time to brush off our I'ble spirit, and make ourselves a decent snow brush for our cars.

Step 1: Parts

Parts are simple. You'll need:

1. A telescoping paint roller extension pole. Most paint stores, home stores, and many hardware stores will carry these. They're intended to screw into paint rollers to aid in painting tall walls, but they end with a standard broom handle thread.
2. A broom head. Most home stores and hardware stores will carry a variety of these. I prefer small heads with soft bristles. They're intended, so far as I can tell, for window washing - so they won't scratch the finish on your car.

Step 2: Assembly

Come on, now, you don't really need me to tell you how to put these together...

Step 3: Use

1. Wait for it to snow
2. Extend the pole
3. Sweep off the snow

Comments

[RexP9]

In northern Maine I just use one of the sponge mops to push and pull show in one easy swipe. Of course, I find moving 6" of snow twice is a lot easier than moving 12" snow once.

[Somethingtotallyrandom]

Hey, great idea.

Can I suggest a real healthy squirt of Loctite 271 thread locker (the heavy-duty one) as you screw on the brush ? I personally find brush heads always start loosening when it is least convenient time.

[jdege]

I've never used Loctite on plastic threads. Does it work?

[Somethingtotallyrandom]

Yep. It'll lock up anything. I first used it to secure adjustable internal ferrite cores inside tuning coils.

It's used on all sorts of small electronic components subject to being thrown out of adjustment by vibration. It you look inside many older items with some sort of tuning circuitry, you'll probably find some that are short, squat, metal-bound squares having a plastic adjusting screw in the middle. Those often have a daub of thread sealant on them to secure them from movement after factory tuning.

In a pinch, I've used the really cheap red enamel nail polish. LOL, I've even bought it in Hong Kong after we ran out of real Loctite. I wouldn't use for a safety of flight component, but around the shop on our test benches? Sure thing! Works a treat, too. Cheap polish is always cheaper than Loctite ;-)

I suggested the 271 since it'll take more abuse that the one.

[tinaciousz]

Enter this in the Winterize Contest! https://www.instructables.com/contest/winterizechallenge/

[jdege]

Just did.

Thanks.

[livichris]

once watched a guy take the snow off his car with a metal garden rake. paint totally wrecked

[havealife]

Awesome idea going to make for this winter. thanks

[mikecs]

This is what anyone who owns a tall vehicle should have. Jeeps,vans, suv etc.

[caitlinsdad]

With wet snow, the brush gets loaded up and you are pushing a wet brick. I got one of those foam blade kinds which is like a giant rigid/non scratching squeegee which works a whole lot better.

[jdege]

I agree. The best head might differ depending on the type of snow. Perhaps a squeegee, or one of those brushes with fat, rubber fingers.

I'm in Minnesota, and the soft-bristled brushes have always worked well for me.

[caitlinsdad]

You guys get the nice fluffy snow. In NYC, we get the the slushy dirty kind. Maybe you should make an ible on how you dig your car out. We leave ours parked out on the street to hibernate for the winter after the snowplows bury them under.

[hedgesci]

nice instructable, and I agree with seamster. I should have thought about this years ago myself. its kinda like a "duh" moment when I saw this. thank you for the ble.

[seamster]

I'm sure several people (along with me) will kick themselves for not making a brush like this years ago! I'm so sick of sweeping snow off my car with my sleeve, or trying to use a regular broom.

This is an excellent, simple solution.