Post by: samuria on December 03, 2020, 10:59:16 AM
has anyone here fix ones on any of there cars with that silver stuff which is like
nail varnish? and was it any good? :tiphat
Post by: oilstain on December 03, 2020, 11:30:25 AM
(its easy to scratch)
Post by: Wittsend on December 03, 2020, 11:39:07 AM
I think it was more than just silver paint. Just because something has "silver" in it won't conduct electricity.
It's the same with copper grease. Test it - it's an insulator :shakeinghead
The other thing is then closely examining the heating elements for a break - using a multimeter might help track (sic) the break down as it could be microscopic.
These days the heating elements are cast into the glass and less likely to break.
:RHD
Post by: samuria on December 03, 2020, 11:39:20 AM
Post by: Wittsend on December 03, 2020, 11:43:45 AM
Heated rear window repair kits (https://www.amazon.co.uk/heated-rear-window-repair-kit/s?k=heated+rear+window+repair+kit)
Which are the sort of thing I had in mind.
Post by: Manxcat on December 03, 2020, 11:53:10 AM
What I have used is similar to this
auction: #223724530574The stuff I have have is Tandy brand and I have had it for years.
I've got some of the modern stuff and it is much runnier.
I use a volt meter to find where the break in the screen elements are, put masking tape parallel to the track and paint as thick as possible.
If it is a long break I use a single strand from a piece of tinned wire glued on with the paint to bulk up.
Clean the glass before you start as when you clean it after you have repaired the elements you will end up repairing them again.
HTH
Post by: samuria on December 03, 2020, 12:06:32 PM
will try the paint kit first :wine3
Post by: oilstain on December 03, 2020, 12:06:46 PM
Post by: samuria on December 03, 2020, 12:08:25 PM
Post by: Formerlyjeremy on December 03, 2020, 02:24:29 PM
Seems the early type with the embedded element is (was) still made as my Focus has a front one. One day I'll have to have a go at its back screen which has several broken printed bars.
Post by: Robin on December 03, 2020, 02:54:58 PM
I remember fitting one to a Fiat 500 (1960), my first car - it was basically a tinfoil element on a backing sheet - carefully stick it onto the screen then peel off the backing, hopefully leaving the elements intact on the glass!
I remember the elements were quite wide and visible - probably so they were less likely to tear when fitting it.
There was even a sticky label to fit to the outside of the glass to cover the terminal block area.
I can't remember the make, but pretty sure it was one of the common electrical accessory makers at the time.
The kit included a toggle switch and indicator lamp on a bracket, as far as I remember.
Post by: Manxcat on December 03, 2020, 04:15:49 PM
<snip>
There was even a sticky label to fit to the outside of the glass to cover the terminal block area.
I can't remember the make, but pretty sure it was one of the common electrical accessory makers at the time.
<snip>
Smiths Industries used to do them in various sizes,
just as you describe with a shuggley bracket, switch, wire, stick on element and the all important sticker over the contact block.
They did them is a size that you could have one on each back window of a Mini Clubman Estate! and another size that did the whole back window of a Mk 3 Cortina Estate.
There was another type that you cut to length and then vainly hoped to get an electrical contact between the three self adhesive parts. :stars
Post by: Wittsend on December 03, 2020, 04:43:43 PM
It's interesting as to how many "add on" aftermarket accessories became standard fittings on cars by the end of the '70s.
Now enshrined in law and some are MoT tested.
Things like:-
Heaters
Screen washers
Door mirrors
Kenlowe fan replacing the mechanical fan
Rear screen heater/demister
Rear fog lights
Front fog lights
Reversing lights
High level brake lights
Hazard warning lights
Tinted screens
Radios
Alarm/immobilisers
etc. etc.
Very recently we have seen sat nav systems built in and the next "big thing" will be dash cams.
:santa3
Post by: oilstain on December 03, 2020, 04:50:13 PM
Post by: oilstain on December 03, 2020, 04:58:49 PM
Smiths Industries used to do them in various sizes,as said, Lucas as well (I must have a throw out as it lookspast its best :stars)
just as you describe with a shuggley bracket, switch, wire, stick on element and the all important sticker over the contact block.
They did them is a size that you could have one on each back window of a Mini Clubman Estate! and another size that did the whole back window of a Mk 3 Cortina Estate.
There was another type that you cut to length and then vainly hoped to get an electrical contact between the three self adhesive parts. :stars
Post by: Manxcat on December 03, 2020, 06:07:41 PM
electrical rear screen demister that is similar to the Desmo ClearView Panel in Witz's advert.
It is a bare wire heating element that sits between a glass panel that suction cups onto the rear screen.
Some military aircraft used a similar system and it was quite effective.
Post by: samuria on December 03, 2020, 08:22:13 PM
looked like a old electric fire porcelain element.....
Post by: Manxcat on December 03, 2020, 09:25:57 PM
Post by: samuria on December 03, 2020, 09:32:04 PM
^ Sort of but no porcelain, if it comes to hand soon I'll do some photos. :tiphat
that would be nice to see one. :tiphat
Post by: lightweightles on December 03, 2020, 10:34:27 PM
Post by: samuria on December 03, 2020, 10:37:18 PM
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lucas-vintage-heated-rear-screen-heater-defroster/114507102706?hash=item1aa927b9f2:g:AVsAAOSwH~RfqCPh
Post by: Manxcat on December 04, 2020, 09:40:22 AM
(They are available in 6 or 12 volt so if buying at an Autojumble ...)
I used one of the ones like this to help with the rear screen in the Discovery while sorting out the HRW element.
They are surprisingly good once they have a chance to heat up.
I think RomahomePete uses on on his series.
Post by: Herald1360 on December 05, 2020, 11:26:47 PM
Post by: Manxcat on December 06, 2020, 11:12:09 AM
Or
https://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/products/ca1384-container-windscreen-demister (https://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/products/ca1384-container-windscreen-demister)
(They are available in 6 or 12 volt so if buying at an Autojumble ...)
I used one of the ones like this to help with the rear screen in the Discovery while sorting out the HRW element.
They are surprisingly good once they have a chance to heat up.
I think RomahomePete uses on on his series.
:thud Woops, fixed now
Post by: 22900013A on December 06, 2020, 08:51:33 PM
Post by: Dentman on December 06, 2020, 10:43:59 PM