Aluminium defrost vents vs plastic

[Jake_rorx7]

As per title, which are better at defogging the glass in this winter cold? My current plastic ones are all brittle and broken up which leads to frustrating fog issues at the moment.

 

[Satoshi-FD3]

Easy way is to clean the glass properly and then apply some RAINEX Anti-Fog, and then apply, let cure, buff off and you should be good for winter.

 

[Jake_rorx7]

Easy way is to clean the glass properly and then apply some RAINEX Anti-Fog, and then apply, let cure, buff off and you should be good for winter.

Usually I'm a stickler for clean glass with a brand new microfiber, I never use products in the past because it always leaves streaks... But if you reccomend it then I'll give it a shot.

If I use the 7 for a few days in a row, usually there is no fog at all. If I use it after the weekend though, its pretty misted, even with a big dry bag inside doing some heavy lifting. I probably still need to get working front vents to clear the screen even with coatings and such.

 

[JonFD]

I can't see there being much difference in the amount of air they let out, the stock ones do look like they have more vent holes tho. I think the ally ones are more for looks/cracked oem.

Had oem plastic on my old car, my current one has the ally vents and I don't think they sit as flush as stock. The ally ones (or the set on my car) are basically flat so don't fit too well at the far ends, kinda lifts and doesn't follow the dash properly..

Clears the screen as well/badly as the old car's stock did from my experience tho lol.

 

[Jake_rorx7]

Thanks, cheaper too to just rebuy uncracked stock vents 45 quid on ebay, sorted

 

[jack.am]

I have some of those metal ones, they're shit. Fit shit, look pretty shit, will be replacing them with OEM plastic at some point.

 

[AlexG]

I have some of those metal ones, they're shit. Fit shit, look pretty shit, will be replacing them with OEM plastic at some point.

I concur, utter ba$tard to fit but I think they look OK once they're in.

I had the dash out to get it flocked so it made it a bit easier. It'd be a nightmare to fit in-situ.

AL.

 

[Jake_rorx7]

I concur, utter ba$tard to fit but I think they look OK once they're in.

I had the dash out to get it flocked so it made it a bit easier. It'd be a nightmare to fit in-situ.

AL.

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Nice dash though! Whats the deal with the bolts, is that how the metal ones fit? Do you have to drill bolt holes?

 

[giryan]

There are metal clips on the dash that it screws into, at least originally. the aluminium vent I have is (mostly) just attached to them. except for where the plastic on the dash is broken

 

[AlexG]

Nice dash though! Whats the deal with the bolts, is that how the metal ones fit? Do you have to drill bolt holes?

Cheers, the flocking also stops the standard fit squeaks installed in all 90's jap cars

As giryan says above, there's little metal clips that sit under the vent and you screw into them from above. I upgraded the bolts to make them look a bit better, with cup washers and all anodized stuff.

If I remember correctly, they were all pre drilled. It's a few years since I fitted them but I vaguely remember having to open out some of the holes and making it fit was a bit of a pain in the arse.

It sits ok in the dash now but it was a ball-ache and I would have set fire to it if I had to try and fit it with the dash in the car.

I would guess fitting oem vents would be a lot easier.

AL.

 

[JoeLanger]

Cheers, the flocking also stops the standard fit squeaks installed in all 90's jap cars

As giryan says above, there's little metal clips that sit under the vent and you screw into them from above. I upgraded the bolts to make them look a bit better, with cup washers and all anodized stuff.

If I remember correctly, they were all pre drilled. It's a few years since I fitted them but I vaguely remember having to open out some of the holes and making it fit was a bit of a pain in the arse.

It sits ok in the dash now but it was a ball-ache and I would have set fire to it if I had to try and fit it with the dash in the car.

I would guess fitting oem vents would be a lot easier.

AL.

How did you put the centre bolt in the dash there? When re fitting the dash.

Looks great though looks like you drilled more fixing holes but I'm not sure what it looks like now

I got some black domed bolts, pretty sleek

 

[AlexG]

How did you put the centre bolt in the dash there? When re fitting the dash.

Looks great though looks like you drilled more fixing holes but I'm not sure what it looks like now

I got some black domed bolts, pretty sleek

Now that you mention it I do have a vague memory of grappling with the bolt underneath.

I think I got it to fit as best I could to the dash when it was out of the car and again, I have a vague memory of adding more fixing holes. Then installing it loosely enough to allow access to the bolt underneath and then tightening everything down when I had all the dash fixings sorted out.

I remember it being difficult and having to get a chopped down allen key to get in the gap between bolt head and windscreen.

It's never coming out...ever.....

The only photos I've got don't really show the fitment but it sits flush and looks decently oem now.

AL.

 

[Jake_rorx7]

Now that you mention it I do have a vague memory of grappling with the bolt underneath.

I think I got it to fit as best I could to the dash when it was out of the car and again, I have a vague memory of adding more fixing holes. Then installing it loosely enough to allow access to the bolt underneath and then tightening everything down when I has all the dash fixings sorted out.

I remember it being difficult and having to get a chopped down allen key to get in the gap between bolt head and windscreen.

It's never coming out...ever.....

The only photos I've got don't really show the fitment but it sits flush and looks decently oem now.

AL.

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I'm jealous..

 

[Gunnytron]

I didn't really have too many issues with mine. Yeah, the rounded ends don't fit in so good, but it looks fine. Mine was supplied with a cut down Allen key for fitting.

 

[Satoshi-FD3]

This is by far one of the best Christmas gifts I ever got off my parents!

All car owners need this!

It can be used in so many ways, for so many horrible jobs.

 

[Gunnytron]

This is by far one of the best Christmas gifts I ever got off my parents!

All car owners need this!

It can be used in so many ways, for so many horrible jobs.

Look super handy. I also keep meaning to get some stubby flexhead ratchet spanners, not that it has anything to do with this thread.

 

[Satoshi-FD3]

Look super handy. I also keep meaning to get some stubby flexhead ratchet spanners, not that it has anything to do with this thread.

For the alloy demist vent installation it's a breeze, for wheel arch liners without removing the wheel they are great. Just don't order direct there are sites online offering it at half price.

 

[Jake_rorx7]

This is by far one of the best Christmas gifts I ever got off my parents!

All car owners need this!

It can be used in so many ways, for so many horrible jobs.

Yep the workshop guy at work has this tool, its an absolute godsend.

 

[shaunwil]

Up to a couple of years ago you could buy the plastic one new off mazda. You should still be able to buy it new.

 

[Rhino]

This is by far one of the best Christmas gifts I ever got off my parents!

All car owners need this!

It can be used in so many ways, for so many horrible jobs.

Agreed, this is one of my best tools and not just for the car either