Rear Defroster Ripped Off???

[Ponchonutty]

After buying 2 kits and trying to glue it on 3 times I gave up and bought a new piece of back glass from Safelite ($229). Expensive, but I don't like broken things on my truck. The tab just kept popping off with the glue. Even when it was on and I used the kit paint to repaint to get a connection, I was getting off readings with multimeter.

The rear glass is easy to install.

I've messed around with broken defrosters on numerous vehicles over the years. I have had great success with the paint for the lines. For reattaching the tabs, about 70%. You have to heat the glass with a heat gun in about a 1-2' area before soldering the tab. A very hot iron is a must. Can't overheat the area either.

Then again replacing the glass on these trucks for under $250 isn't a bad way to go either lol

 

[mattjones]

The repair wasn't covered under my carmax warranty and they wanted to charge labor for it, so I just bought the "kit" from them for $17 and did it myself. The "kit" is basically just a two part cement glue. Apply one liquid, then the other and attach.

You're supposed to let it sit for 24 hours. The first time I tried, I checked and the tab fell right off. I put more of the glue stuff on and let it sit for at least two days before I even tried touching it. I wasn't convinced it would stay there, but I reattached the cable to it and so far it's been about a month and it hasn't fallen off, and the defroster has worked. I'm still going to avoid touching it though. I think the key is to just be extremely careful and DO NOT touch it until you're sure it's completely bonded. The first time it fell off I thought the stuff was worthless and can see why a lot of people say it didn't work for them.

 

[abright52]

I am assuming that this is the stuff that you guys are talking about?

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/...r-electrically-conductive-tab-adhesive-detail

One of mine popped off a couple weeks ago...all by itself. Advance Auto didn't have anything to fix it...will have to look for it elsewhere...

 

[scottg918514]

Yes, but didn't work for me. I just got this kit: http://www.frostfighter.com/frost-fighter-order-information.htm

And, reinstalled a tab on a 1 month old new piece of back glass the weekend. This kit seems better. I'll try the defroster in a couple days and report if the tab stays on.


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[scottg918514]

Yes, but didn't work for me. I just got this kit: http://www.frostfighter.com/frost-fighter-order-information.htm

And, reinstalled a tab on a 1 month old new piece of back glass the weekend. This kit seems better. I'll try the defroster in a couple days and report if the tab stays on.


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Well, plugged it back in yesterday, sooner then I was hoping, but cold rain and snow and completely fogged up glass, so a good test.

It all worked great, tab still on (for now).




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[Ponchonutty]

I don't believe its really a problem with the solder on the glass but that the cables going to the glass become hard, brittle, and stiff causing too much force on that solder joint.

 

[scottg918514]

I don't believe its really a problem with the solder on the glass but that the cables going to the glass become hard, brittle, and stiff causing too much force on that solder joint.

Well, I stretched mine out before installing new glass in Feb. In March a tab popped off the new glass.



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[abright52]

Just got my kit today...will give it a go sometime this week.

 

[abright52]

Follow up:

So far the repair has been successful. This is what I used:
Loctite Rear Window Defogger - Tab Adhesive - 0.03/0.02-Fl Oz Kit
from:
http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Loctite/LT21351.html

I cleaned the area, applied the adhesive per instructions and held in place for a while. Then I left it disconnected for a couple days to ensure that it was cured. I stretched out both coils of wire to give some slack before reconnecting. Still holding after two months.

 

[powerhaulic]

I warmed my glass with heat gun.
put a dab of solder on tab and a dab on glass
Put the two together and heated just enough to bond
good to go

 

[Clean07Burb]

Yes, but didn't work for me. I just got this kit: http://www.frostfighter.com/frost-fighter-order-information.htm

And, reinstalled a tab on a 1 month old new piece of back glass the weekend. This kit seems better. I'll try the defroster in a couple days and report if the tab stays on.


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This kit looks better than the Permatex/Loctite branded kit I've already tried with no success. I'll order one and give it a go. Thanks for the link!

 

[joshcarl]

i soldered mine back on last week. i was initially concerned that i was going to heat the glass too much, but i didn't have any issues. one week and counting.

 

[Doubeleive]

one of my tabs came off the other day i bought the glass in april so there going to solder it at the dealer, once that is done im going to put some of this on it afterwards as a backup, hopefully this will help it hold

 

[ZACHBORIS]

one of my tabs came off the other day i bought the glass in april so there going to solder it at the dealer, once that is done im going to put some of this on it afterwards as a backup, hopefully this will help it hold
View attachment 189009

I have used the permatex twice. The first installation worked for about 9 months and then it popped off again. The second didnt work at all. I think because of the cold weather during installation.

is that epoxy just to hold the tab on after solder? So it wouldnt work without solder?

 

[Doubeleive]

I have used the permatex twice. The first installation worked for about 9 months and then it popped off again. The second didnt work at all. I think because of the cold weather during installation.

is that epoxy just to hold the tab on after solder? So it wouldnt work without solder?

no I bought it to put on afterwards as a additional coating (to keep it in place),not electrically conductive, but it's pretty heavy duty stuff, dry's clear and bonds to glass and is good for up to about 250deg, it was around $34 on amazon