r/whatisthisthing • u/Important_Rate_5285 • 3d ago
Solved ! Black silky fabric thing, about 5 feet long, found in our car. No memory of what it could be. Irregular but symmetrical shape. Has little weights/ magnets sewn in at several parts of the edge. Includes a drawstring bag. Could it go with a hammock or some other camping equipment?
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u/llamadiorama99 3d ago
Windscreen cover held on by magnets to help avoid winter frosts?
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u/unintentionalfat 3d ago
This is the correct answer. The flaps on the edge tuck into the doors. The magnets adhere to the roof and hood.
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u/trashlikeyourmom 2d ago
I have a similar one, but mine has little pockets for my side mirrors (almost like little attached shower caps)
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u/namastaynaughti 2d ago
Does it work?
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u/trashlikeyourmom 2d ago
Yeah it's terrific! I've had mine since before the pandemic and it's great. I don't have a garage, only an outdoor parking space and its great for winter bc if it snows overnight I just tug this thing off and not have to worry about scraping snow or ice off my windshield.
It only takes like a minute to put on, but sometimes it's a teeeeeny bit difficult to make sure there's no air bubbles that rain/snow can get into because it kinda puffs up when I close the door on the dangling edges that go inside the car to keep it in place
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u/WildYarnDreams 2d ago
If it's only thin black it could also be to black out the window for sleeping in the car, but definitely one of these things, yeah
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u/NorahGretz 2d ago
The second picture on that page is hilarious, because it looks like it only covers about two-thirds of the window.
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u/Icooktoo 2d ago
Go look again. It's folded back to show you the clean windshield under the cover. Not hilarious. Now, the fact that you couldn't tell that was what was happening - that's hilarious.
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u/CaptPieLover 2d ago
Mark it solved OP. This is your answer. I have two of these myself. Keeps the ice and snow off a car's windshield in the winter.
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u/tchotchony 2d ago
Mine has a reflective side, which makes it also great for keeping my car somewhat cooler in summer when I couldn't park it in the shade.
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u/Drenlin 3d ago
It keeps your windshield from getting frosty. Really helpful if you don't park in a garage.
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u/wildone74 3d ago
Can also be used to keep leaves from gathering at the base of your windscreen (and gunking up your filters) if you park under trees.
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u/LesliAnd1 3d ago
Snow cover for the windshield. Makes winter a little bit better with less scraping on the windows.
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u/Wundawuzi 3d ago
Pretty sure it is a windscreen cover to avoid frosting while parked. You put it on the windscreen and the triangular flaps are put inside the car and jammed by shutting the door. This avoids it being blown away.
I used them for a while until I realised they created a bridge that allowed moisture to enter my car. No more freezing outside but instead it froze on the inside.
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u/Select-Belt-ou812 2d ago
probably lots of magnets or similar system is the best solution then, 'cause they're definitely useful
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u/PeterNinkimpoop 3d ago
Is windscreen a regional term? I’ve never heard it and always called it a windshield
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u/Wundawuzi 2d ago
I think thats just my non-native English, haha.
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u/NaturalHistory5436 2d ago
Windscreen is correct in England. I think windshield is the American term (and your English is excellent)
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2d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Wundawuzi 2d ago
Dont worry I absolutely didnt feel picked on haha. If anything I'm glad when I'm being corrected as this helps to improve 💪
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u/notPyanfar 2d ago
Nah, both windscreen and windshield are correct, but like footpath and sidewalk, or rubbish bin and trash can, or mobile phone and cell phone, different regions or different English speaking nations use different variations.
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u/blackcurrantcat 3d ago
Is it a thing to go over the windscreen when you’re parked on hot sunny days?
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u/traydee09 2d ago
you could absolutely use one for the summer as well. might want a different fabric/color for that purpose however. keeping heat and damaging solar rays out would be very beneficial.
also newer vehicles often have sensors and cameras attached to the rear view mirror under the windscreen that can be damaged by heat, especially when using inside sunshades that will just collect and reflect heat directly onto the sensitive electronics.
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u/RogueThneed 2d ago
? My sunshade goes between windshield and rear-view. So the sun isn't hitting the electronics. Is this not the norm?
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/RogueThneed 2d ago
Okay, makes sense. My car is old enough that it doesn't have any of this stuff, and I haven't done aftermarket gear.
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u/Important_Rate_5285 2d ago
SOLVED, I think! Must be for keeping frost/ ice/ snow off the windshield (aka windscreen). I live in a rather snowly climate and have seen people use them before but thought the material would have been tougher/ heavier. I've found a brush usually works fine for snow but if this would help me avoid scraping or chipping ice off the windshield, it could be.quite handy. I don't think it would be good for use in summer, given the black colour. Thanks all!!!
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u/wizzerstinker 3d ago
Windshield blanket. If you live in a blizzard prone area like me (Buffalo NY), it's a great thing to have if you rent and don't have a garage space to park in. Keeps ice from forming on the windshield and makes it wayyyy easier to shovel off. And I mean SHOVEL. A snow brush or ice scraper doesn't cut it in our neck of the woods. All of my neighbors have large push brooms to get the snow off of the top and the hood of their car. Also wooden boards for getting out of snowbanks. Cat litter just doesn't cut it here.
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u/DadBodMetalGod 2d ago
I grew up in Alaska… we used kitty litter, snow brushes, and ice scrapers- in 15’ of snow and ice (feet not inches, not a typo). Maybe it’s that our longer winters gave us more practice with weaker tools, but anyone brooming off their car woulda been the clown of the town where I grew up.
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u/JRockPSU 2d ago
Just don’t use a metal shovel!
https://reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/kf8c1v/i_scratched_my_2daysold_tesla_everywhere_using/
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u/portonsly 3d ago
Is it a BBQ cover?
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u/DraconionDev 3d ago
Same thought. It looks bbq grill cover shaped but everyone is pretty confident of the windshield cover.
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u/Important_Rate_5285 3d ago
My title describes the thing. No labels or printing on it, no holes or cords for attaching it to anything. I tried Google lens and tried googling "hammock cover" but did not come up with anything.
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u/TheDarthWarlock 3d ago
Could be a cover for working on a car, to prevent scrathes and such from leaning on it, I know I have a few though have never used them
Edit: called fender covers apparently
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u/chriskzoo 2d ago
Windshield cover to prevent frosting in the morning. The flaps on the side you close in the door so it stays in place.
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u/WitchyMae13 2d ago
Ice front windshield cover. Flaps go in the doors so it doesn’t fly away in the wind. They actually work pretty good if it’s flat
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u/Odd_Geologist_9065 2d ago
Correct I have it for my windshield in winter, I don’t have to scrape car off in morning
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u/offwhiteandcordless 2d ago
Is it single layered like a tarp or is it double layered with one side opening up like a bag? If the latter, I’m pretty sure it’s a grill cover. The shape is to hug the side trays and the weights are to keep it from blowing off from any weather that might do so.
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u/Initial_Wolverine77 2d ago
Windshield snow / frost cover. The flaps tuck until the door. I use it as an emergency layer for hail if I’m not near cover.
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u/Old_Statement_4896 3d ago
I am originally from Buffalo, NY but moved south to avoid what another poster described. The drawstring makes me think it is not used to prevent frost on a windshield. I think it is grill or fire pit cover. More for a grill than fire pit if I go by how mine look
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