MrG4Life

iTrader: (1)

Anyone had a problem with the rear defroster not fully clearing the glass? I got the car last November and I cannot remember if the problem existed before I got the windows tinted or after. I dealt with it over the winter but I cannot go any longer with a defroster that is not fully clearing the windows. I'm going back to the tint installer so that they can remove the tint and then I will use a product from Permatex that claims to repair damaged rear defroster grids and tabs. Hopefully this kit resolves the issue and then I'll have the rear glass tinted again. I may go to a different installer because I also have this problem where I hear static when the defroster is turned on. It didn't bother me much at all since I hardly listen to the radio while in the car so I've put it off.

Here's the link for the kit made by Permatex:
Professional Repair Systems : Permatex® Complete Rear Window Defogger Repair Kit

jonp2005RL

Mine is just really slow. Which is a pain when you have to rush to get to work.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

sounds like the tinter may have damage the defroster.

oo7spy

Installing tint seems unlikely to me. However, my tint shop claims three days to remove tint from a defroster grid without damaging it. Maybe someone did it wrong before you bought it.

Nersh7

3 days!?! I get that it probably requires a fair amount of attention and care but 24 hours worth of care and attention?

I'm not calling BS but that's crazy

MrG4Life

iTrader: (1)

This morning there was condensation on the rear window and this is how it looked like after having the defroster on after 10 minutes:

MrG4Life

iTrader: (1)

Well I visited my tint installer and the issue with my rear defroster is worse than I originally thought. While holding a light over the rear glass, he showed me how messed up the grid lines for the defroster are. I suspect that damage was there already prior to me getting the windows tinted. My tint installer has tinted the windows on two prior vehicles and I have no issues at all. I mentioned the defroster repair kit to him and he said that it'll be a waste because of the amount of damage and also it being difficult to reach since most of the damage is at the bottom. He suggested getting a used rear glass instead (with good defroster grid lines) and tinting it. Salvage shop not too far away had one from an '05 who was selling it for $150. I kinda prefer one from a later model but I'll shop around first.

oo7spy

Sucks, man. Good luck finding a used window.


I should have noted that was 2004. I'm not claiming any current accuracy, nor am I claiming they weren't full of .

thewrangler99

@ MrG4Life I had been through this same situation. When I had first got the tint installed, tint guy damaged the defrost lines. After a year or so, I removed all the tint from the car and used the permatex defrost repair kit which got the defrost working. The glass would heat up more where the repair is done due to more conductor paint. If you lay the tint over the repaired spot it won't stick and will look bad.
Your best bet is to get the new window as used one's are not guaranteed to work because these fine grid lines can easily get damaged. I hope this helps.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Break it
Call ins co
Defroster fixed

oo7spy

But a used one is less than my deductible.

MrG4Life

iTrader: (1)

I ended up getting that used rear glass for a couple of reasons. Obviously it was the price considering that I saw all sorts of prices when I was searching. Most of the glass were from 2005's and averaged between $250 and $300. The other reason is that there are not a lot of RL's in my area so I felt the need to jump on this. I think it was luck that the salvage yard actually had one considering that the four others down the road had none. The grid lines on the glass are intact and will get the glass installed in the coming weeks.

MrG4Life

iTrader: (1)

Exactly

$150 for the glass and was recommended to go to a shop that'll install it for $75... yeah definitely less than my deductible.