So, like most of my bussed brethren, I have a knob over in front of my passenger which lights up in a most satisfying way when I pull it out -- providing the illusion that its going to make a lick of difference to the fog or frost on the rear window. (The other green knob which promises heat to those blessed with working BA6's DOES work)
I was looking for some kind of heater blower to wire into the green knob circuit, the wires on the rear window must be long dead. This is sort of what I had in mind: http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jhtml? ... 39&BQ=jcw2
But saw this as well, a kit which promises to replace the wires retaining a 'factory' look. Tantalizing, but does it work? How big a pain in the ass is the install? Other issues? : http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jhtml? ... 56&BQ=jcw2
So, has anyone had any experience with this kind of thing? I remember my dad sticking some really ugly fat wired thing in the back of my sisters 68 autoshift bug years ago. This kit actually looks like it would look acceptable. thanks in advance....
Rear Window Defrost ...
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- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2001 12:01 am
Rear Window Defrost ...
Yes...the film wire kit works, but not quite as well as the factory...unless you leave those fat film wire widths. They also will be gone in about two years or so. Check around for new replacement glass with the defroster. Its worth it. The key to getting them to survive longer is to occasionally dry the rear window so it does not spend weeks wet. The water corrodes out the metals that were baked into the glass. The original manufacturing method was to screen print metallic inks in the base lines, then yellow orange, or red enamel over the top. These were then put into a kiln to "fuse" the metallic low fire inks. Many of the pieces of glass were also shaped over molds while being heated, as they were printed flat. I having been toying with the idea of masking thin lines on the glass, then bead blasting trenches about .020 wide and about .005 deep in the glass. String across .002 diameter nickle chrome wire, carefully spray high temp epoxy, colored enamel on top to give a factory finish and to adhere the wires into the grooves. You will need a resistor on the end to keep the wires from becoming incandescent or overheating...but it should work. Ray
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- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2001 12:01 am
Rear Window Defrost ...
gents,
i have used the repair kits with some success. there is a kit made by loctite or permatex, i forget which, it is widely available, and consists of a conductive paint used to "splice" the corroded wires.
you need to be very meticulous with finding the breaks with an ohmeter, marking them and then cleaning and masking the glass to apply the paint. but it does work. you can toss out the masking provided in the kit and make your own with electrical tape. i did one on my volvo 240 which worked amazingly well for a few years: all the breaks were repaired. i did another one and it didn't work at all - only one or two of the wires worked - go figure.
we in the great white north really need these things to work properly, and factory is best. the repair kit is worth the effort, i think. oh yes, you really need to remove the window from the van to do it properly. this is simple on a van rear window.
scott lyons
i have used the repair kits with some success. there is a kit made by loctite or permatex, i forget which, it is widely available, and consists of a conductive paint used to "splice" the corroded wires.
you need to be very meticulous with finding the breaks with an ohmeter, marking them and then cleaning and masking the glass to apply the paint. but it does work. you can toss out the masking provided in the kit and make your own with electrical tape. i did one on my volvo 240 which worked amazingly well for a few years: all the breaks were repaired. i did another one and it didn't work at all - only one or two of the wires worked - go figure.
we in the great white north really need these things to work properly, and factory is best. the repair kit is worth the effort, i think. oh yes, you really need to remove the window from the van to do it properly. this is simple on a van rear window.
scott lyons
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- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2001 1:01 am
Rear Window Defrost ...
I did have a look at the wires with a tester, seems to me to be overall failure .. likely corrosion .. not a break here and there which is why I was looking at full replacement.
Anyone have a source for factory replacement glass with the wires? I understood I was looking at a no longer available part.
Thanks guys for the input. Ray, as usual, the human encyclopedia on all things VW. I'm going to have to point a question about space shuttle repair to stump Ray.
Anyone have a source for factory replacement glass with the wires? I understood I was looking at a no longer available part.
Thanks guys for the input. Ray, as usual, the human encyclopedia on all things VW. I'm going to have to point a question about space shuttle repair to stump Ray.
- Zen
- Posts: 387
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2001 12:01 am
Rear Window Defrost ...
I'm pretty sure that the glass is still available somewhere. I know that a month or so back there was a discussion about the same thing for Bugs on another forum and someone said that they had bought a new rear window with the grid . . . and it seems like they bought it from their local VW Dealership. Since VW is still making air cooled Type 2's in Brasil, OEM glass should still be available somewhere.
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Zen Hendricks
"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra
Scenic City Volks Folks, Chattanooga, TN -- Where Air Meets Water! http://www.volksfolks.org
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Zen Hendricks
"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra
Scenic City Volks Folks, Chattanooga, TN -- Where Air Meets Water! http://www.volksfolks.org
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- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2001 12:01 am
Rear Window Defrost ...
Ok...Dang...I don't want to reveal my glass source just yet. What year and what model is the rear wimdow for the bus. If they have it...or can get it...I'll forward them to you. This company is a wholesale auto glass company that supplys one of the largest commercial auto glass replacement companies. They were able to provide NOS in the box front and rear glass for my 412 fastback...with factory front top tint and rear defrost. The glass had never seen the light of day...and still had dealer tags on them. I am reluctant to cause a stampede...lest they quit dealing with me....so tell me what you need. I will also ask their policy to see if they mind a bunch of calls. If they don't...I'll post the #. Ray
- Zen
- Posts: 387
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2001 12:01 am
Rear Window Defrost ...
I called Al Johnson's VW in Dalton, Ga today . . . they love dealing with air cooled stuff! In fact, they STOCK piston/cylinder sets, heads, carbs, alternators, etc. for 1600s. If it's availble through VW they can order it and have it there in a day or two. I was sure that they would be able to get the glass . . . but they can't. They said their last price on it was just over $200, but it's obsolete through VW now.
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Zen Hendricks
"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra
Scenic City Volks Folks, Chattanooga, TN -- Where Air Meets Water! http://www.volksfolks.org
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Zen Hendricks
"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra
Scenic City Volks Folks, Chattanooga, TN -- Where Air Meets Water! http://www.volksfolks.org
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- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2001 12:01 am
Rear Window Defrost ...
I got my front windshield in the dealer box for 78 bucks minus shipping...and the rear in the box for 68 bucks...last year...for a 412! Its out there...just have to find it. What year rear window do you need? Ray