Current Options for Rear Window Demisting?

[TomoHawk]

I don't think that I will be able to save or repair the rear window defroster grid on my 280Z, so I think I will need to either replace the entire grid or put in a fan of some kind to demist the rear window.

What options are out there?

thxZ

[beandip]

lower your window.

[sblake01]

Replace the rear window. That's what I did however I did it in 1997. I don't know if you can still find one or how much it would cost nowdays.

[dogma420]

Hawk--

There's no magic genie formula here.

Here's where you can get some conductive silver paint:

http://www.semicro.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2

Buy some, mask off your grid lines on your window, paint, let dry, remove the tape, and hook back up. Wolla! You have your defroster back, as good as new.

What I'm doing is, since my rear glass rubber is worn out anyways, and I want to add some very dark tint--to save some new white plastic panels I will be getting (my old ones are all brittle due to the Sun)--

I'm removing the rear glass...doing the grid lines with the window out, and once tested, taking the glass to the tint shop...in Portland, OR there's a shop that if I take the window into the tint shop, the cost to tint it is only $30. Then put it back in with a new rubber gasket--and it's as good as new!

Or, request a JC Whitney catalog--they have some pretty good defroster heaters w/ a fan that clip to something, like the hatch shock, or something like that. Pretty cheesy though, when you can re-paint the grid lines though.

[sblake01]

I just got off the phone with Russ at NissanParts.cc. He says that they're still available! 90301-E8800 is the part number and it's $247.22 + $29.67 shipping. That's less than I paid, or actually, Allstate paid for the windshield for my 810 coupe.

[dogma420]

why replace it? The grid is just going to wear out eventually on the one you purchase, so you'll have to refurbish it sooner or later... ? Is it going to match you paint?

[sblake01]

Is what going to match the paint? I replaced mine ten years ago and it still works fine.

[TomoHawk]

There was a topic like this abut a year or so ago. Somebody actually found a replacement defroster grid kit, but you couldn't trim the strips to fit your window- they were made to fit specific cars, and the one that would fit a Z window was an inch too wide.

I was hoping someone might know of a more reasonable solution than what I just said, but it looks like I'll (or we'll) need to comb the Internet for a more suitable replacement. It's too bad all the aftermarket stuff is geared for tuners, expensive customs or new cars...

thxZ

[hls30.com]

Harbor Freight sells a 12v ceramic heater with a fan for just such a use-around $6 on sale. I bought one for heating when I work in a car outside.

Will

[beandip]

Have you tried some anti-fog like the snow skiers use on goggles? It comes in a spray. I have used it on rifle scopes in the past with good results , but not on a car window. Just a thought. Gary

[TomoHawk]

I was thinking about attaching a heated fan like that to the end of a tube, then putting slots down the tube, so the air would blow on the window. It would need a couple of brackets on the ends. The problem is that I don't know how well the air would blow on the glass like that.

thxZ

[sblake01]

JMO but why not just replace the window while they're still available? Much less hassle. Like I said, I did that ten years ago and mine still works fine.