Rear window defrost/repair question

[Chris Pomares]

I had the rear window on a 69 going to media blast removed. The defrost wires weren't connected and we found the prongs missing. Does someone sell replacements and can they be soldered back on?
Chris

[Chris Pomares]

Does anyone sell the prongs that are missing on the rear glass? Has anyone had success soldering them back on?
I looked at a 70/71 rear window and it had 3 connections per side. This car is a 69 and has one continuous piece on each side.
Chris

[tom1394racing]

Hi Chris

You might check the heating elements for continuity before you have the tabs soldered back on. I found that almost all of the elements on most of the early single windows I checked were damaged and did not conduct. No easy fix for that as best I know.

[Chris Pomares]

Good idea thanks.

[71gold]

Also when checking for continuity use a piece of tin foil as the sharp points on the meter tester will damage the fragile horizontal lines . They can be easily broken and damaged .
There is a company that sells repair liquid with high silver content.
Lines can be masked and painted with their material.
I bought some but have not tried it yet.
You might need to buy another cheap window to get the tabs.
Obviously the 3 contacts is for a 2 stage defroster and the 2 contacts is for the single stage.
This will also need to pair up with the relay ...either single or 2 stage.

[71gold]

Also took a good look at your horizontal defrost lines, they look pretty broken and deteriorated .
Don’t think you will get good conductivity.
Let us know and hope for the best.
Frank

[Orange71S]

About 18 years ago, I bought a kit at Auto Zone to repair weak/broken defroster lines. The kit had tape, a cardboard pattern with a long line in it, some sort of paint that conducted electricity and a small brush.
I used it to repair the rear defroster on a Saab 9000 I had at the time. The kit actually worked and I had a working defroster. But, the lines looked kinda sloppy and were noticeably bigger than original. Maybe with the glass out of the car, it might be easier to be neater.
So, there is a kit out there.....somewhere.....
Good luck!
Jay

[911kiwi]

Hi Chris,
I used this to reattach one of my rear window defrost terminals.
Wasn't having much success with the soldering iron and was concerned that the concentrated heat might crack my older glass. Worked fine. Sets hard and conducts current well.
Made in MA. Most electronics stores should stock it.

Gary

[ejboyd5]

40+ years with my car and I don't ever remember turning on the rear window defogger. Is the effort of repair really worth it to you?

[Chris Pomares]

40+ years with my car and I don't ever remember turning on the rear window defogger. Is the effort of repair really worth it to you?

I'll have to ask the owner of the car.

Thanks guys you are a great help.
I just hope I can find some tabs without buying a whole window.
Chris