Purple Ice vs. Water Wetter

Old Henry

Old Henry

Well-known member
Is there any difference between Purple Ice and Water Wetter? I've always used Water Wetter but see alot on here about Purple Ice. They look pretty much the same. Anyone know of any real difference? They both claim to reduce surface tension to increase the water's thermal conductivity.
 
I should have done my research before I asked the question.
Now that I have, it looks like, to me, that the main difference between the two is nothing more than the color, and, in some cases, the price. Purple Ice seems to be generally more expensive. Other than that, you pick the color you like best, Purple or Hot Pink and put it in, if you want to put anything in at all in addition to anti-freeze. It looks like Purple Ice and Water Wetter are essentially the same glycol that's in anti-freeze, just in a more concentrated form. The independent tests I read showed the most temperature reduction when added to plain water in engines that don't run any antifreeze. The tests when added to water with anti-freeze in it showed very little reduction in temperature since it's pretty much like adding more anti-freeze to anti-freeze. That explains why anti-freeze actually increases the cooling capacity of water in addition to keeping it from freezing.

So, pink or purple, whichever color you like, but really only if you don't run antifreeze.

(I welcome contrasting points of view from responsible individuals.)
 
On the tests I ran when I saw the temperature change from 229 to 207 it was with Purple Ice with 2 gallons of long life perminate anti-freeze. I have used Water Wetter a few times and got results which I didn't record. I like the spec sheet on PI but don't agree that it works better with plain water. If you get down to needing a few degrees improvement you better get to the real problem and fix it. I'll take the other advantages of anti- freeze over 2 degrees if it is even that. G.M.
 
Old Henry said:
Is there any difference between Purple Ice and Water Wetter? I've always used Water Wetter but see alot on here about Purple Ice. They look pretty much the same. Anyone know of any real difference? They both claim to reduce surface tension to increase the water's thermal conductivity.
Click to expand...

No difference between the two. Both are snake oil.
 
Lawson Cox said:
No difference between the two. Both are snake oil.
Click to expand...

Basically, they both are mainly detergent and some additives. The detergent helps to reduce the surface tension of the water which aids in heat transfer.

I am involved in Vintage Road Racing. We can not use Anti-Freeze as it is too hard to clean up if we dump any on the track.

I started using Water Wetter and felt it did help cooling and also contained anti corrosive agents. About ten years ago, I started using Purple Ice because It seems to stay in solution better then the Water Wetter.

Here in Southern California, We do not need Anti-Freeze so I use Distilled Water and Purple Ice in my Old Fords and Vintage Race Cars. I find the cooling systems stay nice and clean with no rust or corrosion. Both of these products are very good at preventing corrosion in aluminum components.

My Experience.

Chris
 
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