Rear window heating elements, warranty denied, touch up kit?

[mwingnut7]

I put in a warranty claim to my dealer on my ST due to a section of the rear window not being able to defrost when needed. Turns out that three different ”lines” have a short in them. Warranty was denied due to owner usage…I do put my fat bike in the SUV to bike in the winter and the big tires may have rubbed the bottom portion off in the pic but the two others have a break in them not caused by the tire. I have not had this happen in any other car I have owned in my life since they usually are embedded in the glass.

Long story short, dealer is willing to buy a “repair” kit to close the lines again so they heat the windshield. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thoughts?

 

[Cruising68]

I have used one many moons ago. It worked for a long time before I sold it. I’m sure the kits have improved in 30 years


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[GearHead_1]

I've used these many times, we'd offer it to customers that didn't want to replace the glass. Can't remember ever having one of those come back.

Assuming you can get at it, piece of cake to repair. For lack of a better description, it's basically a copper infused paint. Permatex made an inexpensive kit for the repair.

 

[mwingnut7]

I've used these many times, we'd offer it to customers that didn't want to replace the glass. Can't remember ever having one of those come back.

Assuming you can get at it, piece of cake to repair. For lack of a better description, it's basically a copper infused paint. Permatex made an inexpensive kit for the repair.

Is this something I can do myself or have the dealer do it once the repair kit comes in? Sounds like you need a steady hand?!?! Let me know.

 

[GearHead_1]

I'd think anyone that read the instructions and can reach the window could do this. The kits are about $20 for a single repair from Permatex or Locktite as an example, they've got a little video at that link.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/34502427-EE64-4EBF-9954-1BAE48C9134F/search?lp_asin=B000ALBZJY&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto&terms=defroster paint

I'd have no idea if Ford makes a kit and what theirs might cost. Make sure you don't tape the template to the stripes closest to the actual repair, or you'll lift those up, removing the template. It truly is not difficult.

You can do this.

 

[hbalek]

This was a common problem on my 2020 and I had the rear glass replaced under warranty. The new glass was peeling out of the box so they ordered a second one. It has been fine ever since. This happened early on during the 3/36 bumper to bumper warranty.

I posted about this 4 years ago!

Show your service advisor this thread:

(260) Rear defroster peeling off | Explorer ST Forum

 

[mwingnut7]

I'd think anyone that read the instructions and can reach the window could do this. The kits are about $20 for a single repair from Permatex or Locktite as an example, they've got a little video at that link.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/34502427-EE64-4EBF-9954-1BAE48C9134F/search?lp_asin=B000ALBZJY&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto&terms=defroster paint

I'd have no idea if Ford makes a kit and what theirs might cost. Make sure you don't tape the template to the stripes closest to the actual repair, or you'll lift those up, removing the template. It truly is not difficult.

You can do this.

Could you send me that link again? Seems to have gone away. Thanks.

 

[Dale5403]

Could you send me that link again? Seems to have gone away. Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=defroste...efroster+reapair+kit,aps,174&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

 

[GearHead_1]

It disappeared on Amazon. Different vendor, same kit.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...P?product_channel=local&store=4069&adtype=pla

 

[GearHead_1]

Make sure you don't get the Permatex Tab Kit and Defogger kit mixed up. One of the brands had kits that were good for both repairs, but it wasn't Permatex.

There are quite a few different kits on Amazon at a bunch of different prices, some were literally bottles of the copper paint, a brush and some tape for the lines. That one was only about $10. I have a hard time thinking they would be much different.

 

[mwingnut7]

My dealer received a “kit” in to redo some of the lines on my rear window defroster. Attached is their attempt at it. Not pretty!!! Once spring hits, does anyone have any ideas to using a straight edge to cut in those lines a little better? Use a razor blade to “cut them in”? Suggestions?

 

[GearHead_1]

That's just sad. Never had one of mine turn out like that. It looks like they did it free hand and didn't use any type of template or even masking tape. It just isn't that hard.

That said, your defroster probably works.

 

[Dale5403]

Here are some videos showing the repair.
https://www.google.com/search?q=how...TAuOMgHiAGACAA&sclient=gws-wiz-modeless-video

 

[GearHead_1]

Thanks @Dale5403. This video is a good one.

Done right, one should hardly notice the repair unless you're looking for it. Don't get me wrong you can see it, but it doesn't jump out and say here I am.