Rear Window Defogger Grid Line Repair
- Disconnect negative battery cable. Disconnect rear window defogger electrical connector. Inspect rear window defogger grid lines. Mark grid line break on outside of glass with a wax pencil or a crayon. Buff grid lines that are to be repaired with steel wool. Wipe lines clean using a cloth dampened with alcohol. Buff and clean about 6 mm (0.25 ") beyond each side of break in grid line.
- Attach a grid line repair decal or two strips of tape above and below repair areas. A repair decal or tape must be used in order to control width of repair areas. If a decal is used, die-cut metered slot must be same width as grid line.
- Apply grid repair material to repair area using a small wooden stick or a spatula. Grid repair material should be at room temperature. Carefully remove decal or tape. See Fig 1
.NOTE: The grid line repair material must be cured with heat. In order to avoid heat damage to interior trim, protect trim near repair area where heat will be applied. See Fig 2 .
- Heat repair area for 1 to 2 minutes. Hold heat gun nozzle 25 mm (1") from surface. A minimum temperature of 149°C (300°F) is required. Heat repair area for 1 to 2 minutes. Hold heat gun nozzle 25 mm (1") from surface. A minimum temperature of 149°C (300°F) is required. Heat repair area for 1 to 2 minutes. Hold heat gun nozzle 25 mm (1") from surface. A minimum temperature of 149° C (300°F) is required.
- Inspect grid line repair area. If repair appears discolored, apply a coating of tincture of iodine to area using a pipe cleaner or a line brush. Allow iodine to dry for about 30 seconds. Carefully wipe off excess iodine with a lint-free cloth. Test operation of rear window defogger in order to verify that repair was successful.CAUTION: At least 24 hours is required for complete curing of repair materials. Repair area should not be physically disturbed until after that time.