Replacing Rear Defroster

[mbboy]

My rear defroster is shot, apparently because the grid in the window is broken. So I'd like to replace it with one of the stick-on kits from frostfighter.com using my existing wires, which run and along the bottom of the window.

I was therefore wondering if anybody has ever removed the metal plate that covers those wires? As far as I can tell, you have to remove 1) several small screws, 2) the clips that hold the rubber molding in place, 3) the rotating things that fasten the window to the car, and 4) the screws holding the exterior chrome molding on. However, I can't tell whether there are any other hidden fasteners. So any help would be appreciated before I end up opening another can of worms.

Thanks in advance.

[Gilly]

Year, model???

[mbboy]

Sorry. 81 380sl.

[Gilly]

I know I did this once, quite a while ago, and I think you have it nailed; I don't remember any big can of worms problem developing.

[Gilly]

I remember doing it for some guy who wanted the car stripped of everything possible for a repaint. It came to our shop then to a body shop, very meticulous type of owner.
But the hard top had to be brought in by truck. His wife backed in to the hard top on it's roller stand in the garage! So had to strip that of trim as well. I think it was bad enough that the rear window broke. It was to the point where I personally would have tried finding a used hard top that wasn't damaged. But the owner had his own ideas......

[mbboy]

Originally Posted by Gilly

I know I did this once, quite a while ago, and I think you have it nailed; I don't remember any big can of worms problem developing.

Thanks, Gilly. I guess I'll give it a shot.