As drivers across the Milford, OH, region prepare for the winter, defrosters that have been mostly dormant for the summer and fall will be relied on once again. Having these car parts work as intended is crucial to driving safely during the snowy and icy season. Like most other mechanisms on a vehicle, however, defrosters can break when you need them most. Fortunately, fixing them can be quite simple.

Instead of using warm air vents to heat up glass like many front windshield defrosters, rear defrosters use electricity to melt frost and snow. These car parts typically consist of electrical tabs and a series of conductive paint lines across the window, both of which can become damaged over the course of normal vehicle use. When either of these components are damaged, you may notice sections of your rear window that remain icy even after the defroster has been on for some time. This is usually caused by disconnected tabs and scratched paint lines.

Thankfully, both of these problems are easy and inexpensive to solve. To troubleshoot your rear defroster issues, first check if the electrical tabs are secured to the window. If not, use a simple adhesive to reattach the tab after cleaning the area on the window with rubbing alcohol.

Once you’re sure the electrical tabs are secure, check each of the paint lines running across the window. Any breaks can interfere with the defrosting process and should be filled in. To do so, you’ll need to purchase a small amount of conductive paint (usually available in a specialized repair kit for rear defrosters) and fill in the missing sections. Repair kits usually have a stencil you can use to make sure the new paint is straight and perfectly connected to the original lines.

When both of these tasks are complete, wait 24 hours for the tab adhesive and new paint to dry before using the defroster. The repairs to these car parts should restore the defroster to working condition, allowing it to melt away ice and snow and making for a much safer and unobstructed drive.

Trester Used Auto Parts has been the trusted name in car parts in Milford, OH, for more than 60 years. From engine components to auto glass, the company’s talented and passionate team will help you find the high-quality parts you need to get your vehicle back in shape. For more information, visit the website today.