Is it possible to DIY-fix the rear window defrost strips if only a few of them are working? The reason I ask is that I would for all of them to work for when my rear window fogs up or freezes up in the cool/cold weather, especially since I want to tint the windows and won't be able to access them after the tint job. If I can't do it myself are there companies who can? I'd rather replace the whole back window, but if that's the only way to fix it then I might just have to get the tint and forget the defroster.

Speaking of tint, I heard the legal darkness for tint here in FL is 30% front windows and 15% on the rear and rear side windows. Has anyone gone darker in FL and have you had any problems? Thanks.

 

it is possible to do it.
1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px5WY...eature=related
2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-ZzY...eature=related
3:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkD08...eature=related
4:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0B-L...eature=related
5:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSPdfjCbHX8
6:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iafZz...eature=related

mine is tinted, and it would cost more to have the tint removed, and reinstalled (not to mention, all the damage to the defroster grid that would need fixed...) than It would just to go and get a new rear window.

 

That's why I want to fix my rear defroster grid before I install tint. Thanks for the youtube instructional links. That should make it pretty easy to do once I get the repair kit.

 

Sure is expensive though. Last time I went to Napa to get a repair kit, it was $12.50 to fix one strip.

 

that doesn't sound quite right. one little tube should be able to fix two or three spots on a grid, at least.
and unless you have been really abusive to your rear window (or the previous owners, anyway), then there usually aren't more than that.

 

im taking all the old tint off of mine...replacing it with 5% all around....f the popo....

 

You found one in a tube? I found it in a replacement strip that would adhere over the break like a sticker. There was only one little one for the replacement. Where would you find that stuff?

 

most part stores will have it.

 

The kit Internetauto shows is the exact kit I bought at AutoZone and used. I had the bright idea years ago I would remove my own rear tint which was beginning to bubble. Yeah, getting the tint off was easy....getting the glue off with a rear defrost....UUUURRRGGHHG! Ended up damaging about 6-8 points across the entire system. I thought the defrost repair kit was reasonably priced. However, compared to time and pain in removing the tint, glue, and having to repair the defrost....I would have paid the $80-100 the tint shop wanted to remove it...anyday!

Regarding our defrost strips on the rear. In this kit, you get a tube with a brush. There is also a stencil. However, both the brush and stencil are wider than our defrost strips. So, you'll have two options. First, make your own stencil using electrical or masking tape. Or, you can just brush the dielectric repair paint on as best/thin as possible and then use a razor blade after it dries, to scrape off the excess. You may end up having to do a bit of both to get it as clean as possible. DO make sure you have a volt meter that can measure resistance. You will need that in order to ensure you have found all the broken points. I also suggest taking an overhead or dry erase marker and circling the brake points so you can check the entire board, then go back and repair the identified points. Just make sure as you work across, your arms/hands don't erase what you've already marked! Been there, done that!

FYI: If you tint over broken defrost lines or if someone misses a break in doing a repair, it is possible (depending on where the break is) that it will create a "hot spot" on the system which can/will burn you if you touch that point on the glass, inside or outside. When my defrost grid had broke spots, I touched the glass one winter day while scraping the back glass and got a nice burn. Everyone can laugh now!