Reattaching tab on rear defogger

Tiny
WHITE BEARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 398,889 MILES
One of my tabs on my rear window defogger let go. Wondering what's the best way to reattach it? It appears to be soldered. Thanks in advance for any help given, Russ
Saturday, January 26th, 2019 AT 4:05 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,443 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.
They are soldered to the grid before it is attached to the glass. The hard part is usually getting the parts clean as the pad on the glass is very thin. I use a brass brush and gently clean the glass tab. Then scrape the connector to clean it. Next apply some extra non-acid flux. Then heat the tab and tin it with rosin core solder. The next step is to hold the tab in place on the glass and heat it only until the solder melts and sticks. Don't hold the iron on any longer than needed and don't use a low power iron, you want it to get hot fast, melt and then get the heat off to avoid damaging the rest of the track.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2019 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
WHITE BEARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello Steve. Highly appreciate your schooling with my rear defogger problem. She's all fixed and works like a champ. I sorta thought that would be the way it should be done, bit wasn't positive. I was a little nervous due to a mishap about 46 years ago as a young car enthusiast. I went to transfer a sticker from one vehicle to another. A friend said use a blow dryer, did not have one, so used a heat gun (bad choice) a valuable lesson learned. Crime doesn't pay, it actually cost, in more ways than one. Lol Thanks again, White Beard
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Saturday, January 26th, 2019 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,443 POSTS
You are welcome. Localized heat can do some interesting things to glass. In this case a low power iron can heat the glass more than it should, then you buy new glass. Glad to hear you got it fixed. Please return anytime with your automotive questions, we are here to help.
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Saturday, January 26th, 2019 AT 7:37 PM

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