Defroster Grid Repair Questions

Answers to frequently asked Frost Fighter defroster repair questions

Rear window defrosters can be easily repaired with the Frost Fighter repair solutions to avoid the high cost of glass replacement. The smallest break in the defroster grid can cause the element to fail. We offer solutions to every rear window defroster repair challenge.

Answers to the most frequently asked Frost Fighter questions as tracked by our Customer Service staff.

Top Defroster Tab Repair Questions

Do the grid repairs match the color of the defroster?

Yes. The grid repairs are color matched to the brownish defroster color for nearly invisible repairs. The tab repair kit is pure silver much like the factory original equipment.

Why isn't the silver adhesive conductive right away?

Iced over rear windowBoth the grid and tab repair kits require the material to be fully cured for maximum conductivity and adhesion. The curing process forces the tiny silver particles together resulting in improving electrical conductivity. Warming the repair with a hair dryer or heat gun is recommended.

How long a gap can I repair in my defroster grid?

The excellent conductivity of the Frost Fighter grid repair material allows 3 -5 inches of grid to be replaced.

Normally defroster grid damage is small at less than an inch in length.

How long does it take to complete a repair?

The grid repair can be done in under five minutes with the required drying time of thirty minutes. The tab repair can be done in just over five minutes with curing times of up 30 minutes with heat.

I removed a sticker from my window and my defroster stopped working.

While trying to a remove stickers/coatings/tint from the inside of the rear glass it is very common to damage the defroster. Use the Frost Fighter Grid Repair Kit to fix this damage!

See the Clear View Defroster Guide for more. To order see the Clear View Order Guide.

Other Questions

I have never repaired a defroster grid, is it hard?

Repairing defrosters is easy! Save the high cost and down time of glass replacement by repairing your defroster. Frost Fighter kits are shipped fast, come complete including step-by-step illustrated instructions and have been making defroster repairs a snap since 1986.

My vehicles defroster does not work, now what?

Iced over rear windowIf the defroster only partially works then it normally means you have a damaged defroster grid. This damage can be repaired with a Frost Fighter GRID Repair Kit. If the defroster does not work at all then it could be a separated main power tab. Use the Frost Fighter TAB Repair Kit to reattached these tabs.

To understand how to repair your defroster see the illustrated Frost Fighter Defroster Fix It Troubleshooting Guide.

Are Frost Fighter defroster repair kits expensive?

When compared to the cost of back glass replacement which starts at several hundred and goes to over a thousand dollars for SUV or Mini-Van glass, the Frost Fighter kits provide an excellent value – epically since most insurance does not cover glass.

Damage from window tinting application or removal

Tint is the bane of all defrosters as it sticks to both the glass and the defroster and if removed can pull off the conductive elements on the defroster, damaging it sometimes irreparably. See our Clear View Defroster FAQ for more.

Only a few defroster lines work now what?

This is a common problem normally indicating a scratch across the non-functional grids. These lines can quickly be repaired with the 2100 Grid Repair Kit. It may also be that your defroster is seeing the signs of advancing age (see above) and that a Clear View Kit may be needed.

In each and every case use the Frost Fighter Tab Bonding Kit to reattach a new tab from the Uni-Clip Kit to the defroster.

I used a Permatex Kit and my defroster still does not work. How is Frost Fighter better?

Lets just say we get a lot of customer calls with this question. Frost Fighter Kits use a very high silver loading for the best possible electrical properties. This means that your tab will bond to the defroster and make a good electrical connection in one operation.

I want to replace my entire defroster, do you have something?

Yes! The Clear View Kits are complete rear window heaters that are easy to install. These kits match the look and performance of factory installed defrosters, melting snow, ice and clearing mist in seconds for safe winter driving. These high performance defrosters melt snow and ice and clear mist instantly. See the Clear View Defrosters Made Easy.  

I want to replace my entire defroster, do you have something?

The shelf life of the Frost Fighter Grid and Tab defroster repair kits is one year unopened. Keeping these kits in a cool place like a refrigerator is a good idea and will extend their shelf life.

Why are the defroster lines two colors on the glass?

Damaged defroster grid Defrosters use a conductive coating to deliver the electrical properties needed for heating the glass. A pigment is typically added to the  material for the brownish red color typical of most defrosters.

When cured on the window the pigment leeches into the glass so even with the conductive material missing, a line of pigment shows in the glass where the heating element was. This vestige of a line is part of the glass and cannot normally be removed.

The dark area is where the conductor remains and the light area is where it is missing. The grid kit can replace these breaks.

See the Technical Bulletin that covers this (PDF).

How many repairs can I do with a kit?

Frost Fighter Kits are designed to deliver 3-5 repairs per kit but it depends on the extent of the damage.

See the Clear View Defroster Guide for more. To order see the Clear View Order Guide.

For more information on defroster repair see the Fit It Troubleshooting Guide. Looking for Tab and Grid FAQ or the Main FAQ? Defroster question? Ask Doctor Defroster