SlushBusters Work!

ATeam · Jan 29, 2009

Diane and I put a set of SlushBusters on our truck for the first time a few weeks ago and put them to the test on Tuesday. They work!

SlushBusters keep snow and ice from building up on your windshield wipers. They are inexpensive, no-moving-parts, plastic strips that you afix to your windshield.

The test was two hours of driving through the ice storm that recently hit Dallas. The photo below shows the ice that built up on the wiper arms as we drove (as well as the rest of the truck, top, sides and bottom).

The SlushBusters kept the wiper blades clean. Visibility was good throughout the storm. No stops were needed to clean the wipers. Having had snow and ice build up on the wipers before, we believe it would have happened again in this storm, if not for SlushBusters.

A SlushBuster is shown in the photo. It is the plastic strip pasted (peel and stick) onto the windshield on the outside. The wiper was stopped at an angle to photograph the ice. When the wipers are parked, the SlushBusters sit just above the blades. They are installed not parallel to the blades but at a slight angle.

If memory serves, it was TeamCaffee that first introduced SlushBusters to Open Forum readers. Diane and I are glad they did. Thank you, TeamCaffee, for sharing this driving safety and quality-of-life item. SlushBusters rule!

ihamner · Jan 29, 2009

Phil, thanks for adding the picture. It is perfect for folks to see how it really works. One other thing I would add, though, they need to be attached to a warm windshield so you'll need to either wait for summer or attach them while you are in Phoenix.

mjolnir131 · Jan 29, 2009

Does Slushbusters have a really cool theme song by Ray Parker Jr. as well?

pelicn · Jan 29, 2009

I love our Slushbusters! No more getting out and breaking ice off the windshield wipers. Phil, glad to hear you made it through that ice storm unscathed.

OntarioVanMan · Jan 29, 2009

ATeam....did the Airtabs keep the back doors from snow build up??

TeamCaffee · Jan 29, 2009

India that is true you need to put them on a warm windshield or they will not adhere well. They are awesome when you get into an ice storm. Good Picture!

bigjoep89 · Jan 29, 2009

A Team nice pic! I am the kind of person that needs proof before I add it to our truck. If we put everything on our truck that is endorsed by radio talk host that get paid to promote products we should get 30 mpg and the truck would weigh 1000 lbs more. Your pic says it all! I am going to order ours tonight. Thanks for sharing. Joe

cheri1122 · Jan 29, 2009

By the time I get to SW Pa to pick mine up, I bet the windshield will be nice & warm, sigh.....

Great photo, Phil, thanks for sharing.

ATeam · Jan 30, 2009

OntarioVanMan said:
ATeam....did the Airtabs keep the back doors from snow build up??

This was an ice storm. There was no snow. We are disappointed to find the Airtabs have not kept snow off the back of the truck as we hoped they would. The buildup is the same as it was before Airtabs were installed.

I don't know what to make of it. Airtabs made a positive difference with dust in the summer. The dust that used to build up in the lower corners by the rear door mostly disappeared after Airtabs were installed. But for whatever reason, the snow continues to build. We have not driven in enough snow (yes!) to do a full study. Maybe if the snow is the light, fluffy variety the Airtabs will keep it off. They have no effect on the heavy, wet, dirty slop -- mixed in with a healthy dose of road spray -- that we have encountered so far this winter.

OntarioVanMan · Jan 30, 2009

ATeam said:
This was an ice storm. There was no snow. We are disappointed to find the Airtabs have not kept snow off the back of the truck as we hoped they would. The buildup is the same as it was before Airtabs were installed.

I don't know what to make of it. Airtabs made a positive difference with dust in the summer. The dust that used to build up in the lower corners by the rear door mostly disappeared after Airtabs were installed. But for whatever reason, the snow continues to build. We have not driven in enough snow (yes!) to do a full study. Maybe if the snow is the light, fluffy variety the Airtabs will keep it off. They have no effect on the heavy, wet, dirty slop -- mixed in with a healthy dose of road spray -- that we have encountered so far this winter.

The Sprinter has a square back end...I noticed as well the welt slop sticks to the rear, BUT I've been thru the fluffy stuff and even cars had it stuck to thier trunks... I did NOT.....clear as a bell..no build up.

ATeam · Jan 30, 2009

OntarioVanMan said:
The Sprinter has a square back end...I noticed as well the welt slop sticks to the rear, BUT I've been thru the fluffy stuff and even cars had it stuck to thier trunks... I did NOT.....clear as a bell..no build up.

So, perhaps the working theory is that heavy, wet snow and slop has the mass and inertia needed to overcome the air flow created by the Airtabs that directs lighter, drier snowflakes and dust away from the back doors.

OntarioVanMan · Jan 30, 2009

ATeam said:
So, perhaps the working theory is that heavy, wet snow and slop has the mass and inertia needed to overcome the air flow created by the Airtabs that directs lighter, drier snowflakes and dust away from the back doors.

That would be my conclusion as well.....

2czykats · Jan 30, 2009

pelicn said:
I love our Slushbusters! No more getting out and breaking ice off the windshield wipers. Phil, glad to hear you made it through that ice storm unscathed.

Can these Slushbusters be put on the windshields of cars and pickups and if so where can they be bought at?

Thanks.

jaminjim · Jan 30, 2009

2czykats said:
Can these Slushbusters be put on the windshields of cars and pickups and if so where can they be bought at?

Thanks.

Unfortunately State law prohibits their use on non regulated vehicles. Can only be used on trucks greater than 26,000 Lbs.

davekc · Jan 30, 2009

Maybe a stupid question?

Does one leave these on permanently, or are they removable say in the summer? Or....if you had to replace a windshield, are they transferable to another piece of glass?

OntarioVanMan · Jan 30, 2009

jaminjim said:
Unfortunately State law prohibits their use on non regulated vehicles. Can only be used on trucks greater than 26,000 Lbs.

Who's state? Its no worse then putting a safety sticker on window...
Where is that documented?

jaminjim · Jan 30, 2009

OntarioVanMan said:
Who's state? Its no worse then putting a safety sticker on window...
Where is that documented?

Oh my I knew someone would fall for that... but the OVM.

Shame on you.

Jack_Berry · Jan 30, 2009

Automobile, Truck & Motorcycle: Parts & Accessories

here ya go. all your questions are a phone call away

OntarioVanMan · Jan 30, 2009

jaminjim said:
Oh my I knew someone would fall for that... but the OVM.

Shame on you.

Well just call me FISH...you baited the hook and caught yourself an OVM...
I am not always the sharpest knife in the drawer....*LOL*

dhalltoyo · Jan 30, 2009

I have always believed that these devices would place adverse operational forces on the wiper system.

Before making a purchase I sent my service manager a picture of this device.

His reply, "If you come in for warranty work on the wiper system with those installed on your truck, you will be paying the repair bill out of your pocket."

He also believes they place too much stress on the motor and mechanical components.

Think about it...you drive your truck back and forth across a speed bump over and over and over again. How good is that for the suspension system?

Whrrrr...thump....Whrrrr....thump.....Whrrrr.....thump

Rain X Lattitude Wiper Blades and Rain X -30 Degree Windshield Washer Fluid works very well.

Moreover, who drives in ice storms?

Oh yeah, Super Truckers. I forgot.