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Rear defrost alternatives to working rear defrost grid.


Dudeland

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Good morning all

 

Has anyone come up with a good alternative to rear window defog/defrost. 

 

1)The aftermarket frost fighter solution doesn't stick. I tried and failed,  Just won't stick and looks weird with two unmatched sets of defrost strips. 

2) Yes something like Rainex works for a while, but then that goes away.

 

I got this thing, but when i plugged it in, there is a red glowing element,  I want to keep the sources of ignition out of the trunk, for obvious reasons.   Is there anything unobtrusive and factory looking other than trying to source a NOS rear window,  which may not be any better than what I have in terms of elements of the window. 

 

 

 

 

 

s-l1600.thumb.jpg.4a2a1d64dcc010d58f5545ae354dc53e.jpg

 

 

 

 

"Goosed" 1975 BMW 2002

 

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Yeah, I often wondered if some ducting and a powerful fan would help.

I mean, you could plum another heater core, box, fan, ducts etc etc but that's

a real project.  And a lotta plumbing!  I admit to looking at the rear defrost

units out of convertibles, but they're all designed into the rear bulkhead...

which is then designed around them.

 

From time to time, there have been 3rd party glass manufacturers who

had a gridded rear window available.  I don't know what's out there right now,

but anything produced in the last 20 years would far surpass the mediocre original.

 

all I got,

t

 

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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I have a heated rear glass that has a single scratch on the outside.  The heating grid checked out OK.  I was going to put it back in my car after the restoration but after the serious mission creep I just could not use the scratched glass with a clear conscience.  If you want to come down to Seattle I'll make you a hell of a deal.   

1970 1602 (purchased 12/1974)

1974 2002 Turbo

1988 M5

1986 Euro 325iC

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I used the Frost Fighter stick-on grid, but I cut it up and stuck each line directly over the original grid (after first scraping away what was left of the copper). I ordered the Frost Fighter in the same width and number of strips as the original grid. It looks stock and has worked great for Seattle conditions for 4 years now.

 

https://www.frostfighter.com/clear-view-defrosters-legacy.htm?gclid=CjwKCAiAyfvhBRBsEiwAe2t_i9klgJL-NSEtqAnPeIkc6InR9OcE70_KmolIGTaaCrkpQ3IBUyg2yBoCm5oQAvD_BwE

 

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@plape, are you planning on going to the 020202 event? I'd like to see your set up and talk about the install. I also have a dead grid that's been driving me crazy lately, mostly for the fog on the inside of the glass, not ice on the outside. 

 

Also, I believe replacement rear glass from BMW is running about $450 now. Ugh.

 

James

Edited by Teelinger

1987 Porsche 944 Turbo (sold)
1973 Mintgrun 2002 "Kermit" (sold)

1973 Inka 2002 "Ernie"

1986 VW Vanagon Syncro Weekender "Otto Van Gonzo"

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I grabbed one of these from a junkyard years ago. E30 convertible rear defrost fan. However, never got to use it so no clue if it would be effective.

 

1508581032_DefrostFan1.thumb.jpg.91e5ae9a030487eae8eb7a3262de0209.jpg

 

 

Les

'74 '02 - Jade Touring (RHD)

'76 '02 - Delk's "Da Beater"

FAQ Member #17

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3 hours ago, jgerock said:

IIRC, rear defroster was an option on the early cars.  My 69 2002 doesn't have one

 

FWIW, '69 was the year the rear defroster was introduced on the VW beetle.

 

32 minutes ago, 02Les said:

E30 convertible rear defrost fan

A fan back there makes some sense, but I'd not be pulling trunk air into the cabin on purpose.  I assume the ducting would have to recirculate cabin air, no?

 

Like James said, fog is more of a problem around here than frost.  I keep a spare wiper blade in the car as standard equipment.  One quick swipe of the windshield/windows and I can see clearly again.  I learned that trick driving foggy old VWs, whose windshield defroster had to blow air up from the back of the car, where it was sucked across the exhaust pipes to be heated, inside heater-box covers that usually got oil soaked.  (If you think these cars smell funny, try driving a vintage VW).

 

This style wiper blade makes the best defogger, imho.

Image result for bosch bar style wiper blade

 

     

 

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