Heated rear window

lancsclassics · Sep 30th, 2008, 20:37

Does anyone have experience of the old-fashioned stick-on heated window elements. These used to be quite popular in the 1970s before cars started having them fitted as standard.
My 121 Amazon has a plain rear screen and I would consider trying the stick on version rather than having to change the rear screen for one with the heater element already fitted. I know that some Amazons had these but I don't want to disturb the seal having just got it to stop leaking, fingers crossed!
A local car accessory shop has a couple of these kits in very dusty looking cardboard packages. He is asking £19. Is that a reasonable price, do you know any classic car parts suppliers that sell them.
Winter is approaching and my rear screen knows it!

capt jack · Sep 30th, 2008, 21:49

Oh yes - I remember these from the first time round! They do actually work very well, although you didn't leave them switched on for long as most cars of that era didn't really have the wherewithall to cope with the power consumption.

They used to say that Skoda owners would fit them because it was a good way to keep your hands warm as you pushed the car!

I recall fitting these to my Dad's Viva, then my Wolseley Hornet, then my Hillman Imp. After that I think that all my cars had factory fit hrws.

The stick-on variety with the thick elements do reduce rear visibility quite a bit but if it's an authentic 'period' look you are after there's nothing better.

I seem to remember that attempts were made to produce kits with thin wire elements, but these were much more expensive, although less obvious.

They did tend to come unstuck after a while, and I'm guessing that any remaining stock (which will be over 30 years old!) may have lost some of it's sticking power by now.

Don't know if £19 is reasonable - I'll bet they were no more than a couple of pounds at the time.

If you do fit one, make sure the glass is ultra clean and dry, and that you do it on a dry day. I guarantee that the double-sided sticky pads that you get to hold the electrical connectors to the glass will give up at an early stage, so you might want to give some thought to that. Over time the element will start to peel off, then condensation will get underneath and the glue will turn a dirty yellow colour, then you'll spend hours trying unsuccessfully to clean the whole mess off!

Maybe worth a punt until you can source a 'proper' heated glass?

Good luck!

Jack

Ron Kwas · Oct 1st, 2008, 01:44

lc;

I certainly remenber those stick-on kits...essentially a do-it-yourself version of the factory options...trouble was the same heat that they produce also cooks the glue which is supposed to adhere them to the glass (and which as other poster has pointed out, is likely compromised due to age already)...and if the are not adhered well to the glass, the element can't shed the heat which it produces (which is kinda the point), and so will do it's best impression of a fuse (blow open)...then that conductor no longer carries current to heat up, and the next weak area takes over and does the same trick...

Long story short: I don't wish to rain on your parade, but I would MUCH prefer blowing warmed air (either from the engine cooling/cabin heating system OR electrically) onto the back glass in the same manner that the factory did it on the 140s.

Personally, there are incredable thermal stresses within the glass caused by local conduction heating of a heating wire within (or glued onto) a glass pane and these scare the bejesus out of me...they make me fear for the glass that they are in. Pyrex glass (tempered) is apparently quite capable of putting up with these kind of stresses, but the last time I checked, only the side glass on vehicles was tempered. That is why I will never apply power to the heating element of the back glass of my ES...never!

Cheers

NI_Volvo_Nut · Oct 1st, 2008, 06:46

A pair of gloves would keep your hands warmer.....
I'll get my coat, and the door wont hit my a$$ on the way out.....

Alf ista · Oct 5th, 2008, 00:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsclassics

I know that some Amazons had these but I don't want to disturb the seal having just got it to stop leaking, fingers crossed!

I would be interested in finding out how you got your screen to stop leaking, as I may have the same problem with my front screen.
Sorry for gatecrashing the thread by the way...

Derek UK · Oct 5th, 2008, 13:44

I think I'd prefer to use Rain-X anti fog on the inside and the matching rain repellant on the outside. Crack open the quarter lights to try and get some air flow or drop the windows an inch. It's when you get extra bodies in the car that you get problems with steaming up! A cheap dashboard fan, the ones in a cage, can be tucked into the corner of the back shelf to flow air across the screen. Helps a bit. The old 4 door B16 Amazons had quarter lights at the back of the rear doors. They helped the air flow a lot. Pity they cut them from the spec.

druid · Oct 9th, 2008, 16:57

I fitted one of those in a VW and it was brilliant.
FYI the hand book say's open the 1/4 light and the back window (4 door) and that works a treat in the wet!.

Andrew (UK) · Oct 9th, 2008, 22:34

I've fitted a couple to 240s when the original one has given up the ghost. They're a bit ugly as they are thicker than the original ones and they don't last as long either. Having said that though, they do at least work. Well for a few years at any rate.

jimbo1593 · Oct 10th, 2008, 10:42

I bought a kit from Ratsport...utter crap! Waste of £30!
I have seen some amazons with ?factory fit? heated windscreens, they have really chunky elements though.
I believe one of the UK suppliers can provide new screens with elements for about £200...amazoncars maybe.
I got round the problem by fitting one of those dash mounted heaters aimed at the rear screen. I then hardwired it up with a relay as i didn't want to be swiching 10A. Works OK.

First thing would be to ensure there are no leaks in the cars letting in water. I would concur with the rain-ex suggestion also.

222s · Oct 10th, 2008, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo1593

I believe one of the UK suppliers can provide new screens with elements for about £200...amazoncars maybe.

Possibly, or Brookhouse. I've seen them too, including an estate one which is very tempting for when I get around to fitting the new top tailgate.

Sep 30th, 2008, 20:37	#1
lancsclassics Shed Member Last Online: Feb 5th, 2023 20:07 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chorley	Heated rear window Does anyone have experience of the old-fashioned stick-on heated window elements. These used to be quite popular in the 1970s before cars started having them fitted as standard. My 121 Amazon has a plain rear screen and I would consider trying the stick on version rather than having to change the rear screen for one with the heater element already fitted. I know that some Amazons had these but I don't want to disturb the seal having just got it to stop leaking, fingers crossed! A local car accessory shop has a couple of these kits in very dusty looking cardboard packages. He is asking £19. Is that a reasonable price, do you know any classic car parts suppliers that sell them. Winter is approaching and my rear screen knows it!

Oct 1st, 2008, 06:46	#4
NI_Volvo_Nut Volvologist Last Online: Dec 6th, 2023 11:13 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangor - Norn Iron View Photos By: NI_Volvo_Nut	A pair of gloves would keep your hands warmer..... I'll get my coat, and the door wont hit my a$$ on the way out..... __________________ What's the matter with the car I'm driving? Can't you tell that it's out of style? Should I get a set of white wall tires? Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile?

Oct 10th, 2008, 10:42	#9
jimbo1593 Master Member Last Online: Oct 1st, 2023 14:39 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: leics	No no no I bought a kit from Ratsport...utter crap! Waste of £30! I have seen some amazons with ?factory fit? heated windscreens, they have really chunky elements though. I believe one of the UK suppliers can provide new screens with elements for about £200...amazoncars maybe. I got round the problem by fitting one of those dash mounted heaters aimed at the rear screen. I then hardwired it up with a relay as i didn't want to be swiching 10A. Works OK. First thing would be to ensure there are no leaks in the cars letting in water. I would concur with the rain-ex suggestion also.

Sep 30th, 2008, 21:49	#2
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: May 3rd, 2024 22:08 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Oh yes - I remember these from the first time round! They do actually work very well, although you didn't leave them switched on for long as most cars of that era didn't really have the wherewithall to cope with the power consumption. They used to say that Skoda owners would fit them because it was a good way to keep your hands warm as you pushed the car! I recall fitting these to my Dad's Viva, then my Wolseley Hornet, then my Hillman Imp. After that I think that all my cars had factory fit hrws. The stick-on variety with the thick elements do reduce rear visibility quite a bit but if it's an authentic 'period' look you are after there's nothing better. I seem to remember that attempts were made to produce kits with thin wire elements, but these were much more expensive, although less obvious. They did tend to come unstuck after a while, and I'm guessing that any remaining stock (which will be over 30 years old!) may have lost some of it's sticking power by now. Don't know if £19 is reasonable - I'll bet they were no more than a couple of pounds at the time. If you do fit one, make sure the glass is ultra clean and dry, and that you do it on a dry day. I guarantee that the double-sided sticky pads that you get to hold the electrical connectors to the glass will give up at an early stage, so you might want to give some thought to that. Over time the element will start to peel off, then condensation will get underneath and the glue will turn a dirty yellow colour, then you'll spend hours trying unsuccessfully to clean the whole mess off! Maybe worth a punt until you can source a 'proper' heated glass? Good luck! Jack

Oct 1st, 2008, 01:44	#3
Ron Kwas Premier Member Last Online: Today 17:57 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut, USA	lc; I certainly remenber those stick-on kits...essentially a do-it-yourself version of the factory options...trouble was the same heat that they produce also cooks the glue which is supposed to adhere them to the glass (and which as other poster has pointed out, is likely compromised due to age already)...and if the are not adhered well to the glass, the element can't shed the heat which it produces (which is kinda the point), and so will do it's best impression of a fuse (blow open)...then that conductor no longer carries current to heat up, and the next weak area takes over and does the same trick... Long story short: I don't wish to rain on your parade, but I would MUCH prefer blowing warmed air (either from the engine cooling/cabin heating system OR electrically) onto the back glass in the same manner that the factory did it on the 140s. Personally, there are incredable thermal stresses within the glass caused by local conduction heating of a heating wire within (or glued onto) a glass pane and these scare the bejesus out of me...they make me fear for the glass that they are in. Pyrex glass (tempered) is apparently quite capable of putting up with these kind of stresses, but the last time I checked, only the side glass on vehicles was tempered. That is why I will never apply power to the heating element of the back glass of my ES...never! Cheers

Oct 5th, 2008, 13:44	#6
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 15:22 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	I think I'd prefer to use Rain-X anti fog on the inside and the matching rain repellant on the outside. Crack open the quarter lights to try and get some air flow or drop the windows an inch. It's when you get extra bodies in the car that you get problems with steaming up! A cheap dashboard fan, the ones in a cage, can be tucked into the corner of the back shelf to flow air across the screen. Helps a bit. The old 4 door B16 Amazons had quarter lights at the back of the rear doors. They helped the air flow a lot. Pity they cut them from the spec.

Oct 9th, 2008, 16:57	#7
druid V40 Owner Last Online: Dec 13th, 2020 01:28 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tonyrefail, Souh Wales. View Photos By: druid	I fitted one of those in a VW and it was brilliant. FYI the hand book say's open the 1/4 light and the back window (4 door) and that works a treat in the wet!.

Oct 9th, 2008, 22:34	#8
Andrew (UK) VOC Member Last Online: Dec 3rd, 2021 08:39 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Sutton, near Ely	I've fitted a couple to 240s when the original one has given up the ghost. They're a bit ugly as they are thicker than the original ones and they don't last as long either. Having said that though, they do at least work. Well for a few years at any rate.

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