Heated rear screen repair.

[Tetleysmooth]

The Saab convertible I bought has only one element working in the entire heated rear screen.

Has anyone ever successfully repaired a rear screen using that conductive paint?

Is there any other method of repair?

If anyone could point me towards appropriate products, I'd be eternally grateful.

Thanks in advance.

[DVee8]

When did you get a SAAB?

Did you swap for the Volvo?  Any photo's or have i missed something.

[Simonsays]

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMPLY-XTREME-DEMISTER-ELEMENT-REPAIR-KIT-Heated-Car-Rear-Window-Screen-XRDR1/323079431103?hash=item4b3908e3bf:g:ySEAAOSwEW9ahwvV

 

I used something very like this a few years ago to repair a single broken element. Seemed to work okay.

 

Got to be worth a punt at the price

[Pillock]

I've had it work on a few tracks, the trick is to use a little scouring pad to rough up the ends of the broken track so it electrically connects to the paint. Is there a common point that's stopping them all working? You want to use as little as possible as it's so conductive you won't get any demisting from the painted bits.

[fordperv]

I've used it on 2 or 3 broken tracks on a focus to good effect, worked for the 3 years he had it but i don't know what happened after that

[Tetleysmooth]

When did you get a SAAB?

Did you swap for the Volvo?  Any photo's or have i missed something.

 

I sold the Volvo to a new member on here who has not made himself known yet. Two weeks ago today. I bought the Saab the day after. You probably know this already, but the Saab belonged to a work colleague. It's an 05 plate 1.8t Linear. It was a total dog when I got it. A good wash and a coat of Mer polish, and it's looking quite respectable now. I had to do the wheels lightly with a Brillo pad. It had an airbag light on when I got it, but I found the fault and fixed it. Lots of little jobs to do, but I'll get there.

I really don't like the manual box though. I've really found out that driving in west Essex, on the edge of London, you really need an auto.

Once all the little jobs are done - plugs, air filter rear discs and pads, front pads, and maybe more, I would happily swap this for a similar model in auto, or a Volvo C70 auto.

All that said, it's a nice car. Very quiet and quick when needed. Everything works on it, including the one bar in the HRW.

It needs another light wash now, but I'll get some pics up if there's any interest.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[DSdriver]

There used to be a chap based in Essex who advertised in the Citroen Car Club mag repairs for heated rear screens. I have been meaning to contact him for years but never got around to it. The ad is no longer there but someone on here may have more details.

[PhilA]

If the scratch breaking the original printed lines is wider than that of a knife cut I've found that conductive paint to be a bit crappy.

 

When it gives out there first time round the tiny little fireworks that occur are quite pretty though.

 

If they're small scratches, go for it but I would strongly recommend buying some painter's fine line tape like you do pinstripes with, and mask off the glass with it, you can make the stores match well with it rather than having a big glob of paint.

 

Phil

[Tetleysmooth]

If the scratch breaking the original printed lines is wider than that of a knife cut I've found that conductive paint to be a bit crappy.

 

 

 

Phil

 

I think the breaks are much wider than that, so not very hopeful.

[PhilA]

Give it a try. Worst that'll happen is it just won't work.

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

I had this problem with the Discovery of Doom, multiple breaks in multiple elements.

I used silver conductive paint I bought off e-bay and a bottle I found in my electronics tool box of Tandy PCB track repair paint that must be 30+ years old.

I degreased the screen with thinners and used my voltmeter to find where the breaks where. Masking tape either side of the elements and built up a number of layers of paint.

Long breaks I took a single strand of tinned wire out of some flex, taped it along the line of the element and "glued" it with the paint.

 

I found that letting the e-bay paint dry a bit before attempting to use it - it was over thinned - suprise surprise! - helped build up the layers.

 

HTH

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silver-Conductive-Paint-5g-Bottle-RS-Pro-186-3593-New-And-Sealed/372392957116?epid=1423784848&hash=item56b45994bc:g:FT4AAOSwGotbaEiL

 

Try this not the kit above.