Reattaching rearview mirror

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Thu 20 Jan 2005 19:35
Reattaching rearview mirror - trancer
Any suggestions for an effective adhesive to do this?. I tried a sticky pad one from Halfords and while it did hold the mirror to the windscreen, it wobbled far too much. I checked a few other adhesive products at B&Q that were not car specific, but after reading the package further they stated that they were not recommended for car rearview mirrors, despite claiming to be effective on glass, so I didn't bother buying.

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Thu 20 Jan 2005 19:44
Reattaching rearview mirror - Schnitzel
I have seen two car windscreens cracked here due to using Araldite/Epoxy Resin, so don't use that, one was a friend's Metro, the other was at the breakers yard.
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Thu 20 Jan 2005 19:46
Reattaching rearview mirror - Victorbox
Vauxhall dealers do a great two pack mirror adhesive but it is expensive and will do about 50 mirrors! Try Loctite glass adhesive. I think this is the one here. www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/Product.asp?iProductID...4
Loctite's Q&A page is also shown. www.loctiteproducts.com/questions.asp?answerme=115...5


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Thu 20 Jan 2005 20:09
Reattaching rearview mirror - trancer
The adhesive with the rearview mirror warning was a two part epoxy so I guess it could possibly lead to a cracked screen as was mentioned. I thought it might have to do with the adhesive being too strong and not allowing the mirror to break away in case of an impact etc.

While at the shop, I saw lots of Loctite adhesives but none that would do glass, so I guess their glass adhesive is a special item.

Thanks for the quick replies.
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Thu 20 Jan 2005 21:15
Reattaching rearview mirror - frostbite
I found the pad purchased from a Ford dealer to be perfectly adequate - don't know if they have one to suit your requirement.



--
Use it up : Wear it out : Make do : Do without
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Thu 20 Jan 2005 21:42
Reattaching rearview mirror - storme
the pad from the ford dealer is ace...
but the mesh and glue from halfords is equally as good,,i have used both..but the area must be cleaned well..the cleaning fluid cost me more than the pad :)

it must be really clean,and use a stanley knife to make it flat and free from your old efforts :)
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 00:34
Reattaching rearview mirror - Dynamic Dave
Any suggestions for an effective adhesive to do this?.


Pop along to any windscreen company. They'll have the right stuff and probably do the job for you if you contribute some beer money to them.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 09:04
Reattaching rearview mirror - AR-CoolC
Trancer
What car is it?

There are two ways of fitting RVM, one is with the sticky pads, but this is only for light weigh mirrors found on older fords etc.
The second is to glue it on, DON'T use superglue, as you will end up with a cracked screen. Araldite is ok but you will need to hold the mirror in position for ages while it sets.
We use a Loctite 424 construction adhesive plus activator. Your best bet is to pop into your local Autoglass and ask them to sort it out. Minimal charge applies.


(Glass-Tech)
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 13:37
Reattaching rearview mirror - Chris S
I used a blob of No-Nails to reattach mine.

It held the mirror OK (and didn't crack the windscreen) until I scrapped the car about 18 months later.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 16:59
Reattaching rearview mirror - CG
The RVM on my wife's elderly BX came adrift 2-3 years ago. After cleaning off the residue on both surfaces with meths, and also roughening up the surface of the mount, it was successfully re-applied with super-glue. The mirror has remained in place since then, and there is no sign of any cracking (so far).

CG
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 19:42
Reattaching rearview mirror - Dynamic Dave
On the subject of superglue, why is there a risk to the screen if it used to stick the mirror back on? How does it *make* the screen crack?
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 20:39
Reattaching rearview mirror - keo-the-dog
something to do with expansion and contration due to temperature , normal adhesive ie sticky pad allows this superglue etc doesn't and the glass doesn't hence cracking....cheers...keo
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 21:01
Reattaching rearview mirror - Robin Reliant
I used that silicone stuff for sealing windows. Worked a treat, apparantly builders use it to stick anything.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 22:31
Reattaching rearview mirror - trancer
The car is a 1995 BMW 520. Unfortunately the RVM is anything but lightweight (I don't think I have ever encountered a heavier RVM)and to make matters worse it doesn't appear to have a seperate "lug" or mount that can be glued on first then the mirror assembly clipped to it.

I am not sure how it was originally attached as there is absolutely no residue of any kind on the glass or on the mirror mount and the mirror mounting surface is as smooth as the glass it was stuck to. Really a mystery as I have adjusted it quite a few times since I have owned the car, yet it fell off very easily when my hand hit it as I was cleaning the interior windscreen.

While I was returning the sticky pad I got from Halfords the manager there told me the reason it didn't work was because it had to be used when the ambient temp was 70F+ and that the other glue/mesh option they sold also needed similarly warm temps to be applied. It could be 3-4 months before we see that kind of warmth again (I don't have a heated garage) and I really can't be without the mirror for that long. Its one of those things that you don't realize how much you use/need it until its gone.

I will try some of that Loctite glass specific adhesive first, then if that doesn't work, bite the bullet and try a carglass company. I like the idea of using regular silicone, but that could take hours to dry and I don't relish the thought of holding the mirror in place for that long.

Thanks again for all the advice
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 22:42
Reattaching rearview mirror - henry k
My daughters Yaris dropped its RVM without any warning.
Today I called in to one of the major windscreen companies and the fitter gave me two of the double sided pads for free.
He said just peel off the protectors and slap it on.
No mention of heating.
I would not try any other method.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 22:52
Reattaching rearview mirror - Robin Reliant
Trancer,

When I used the silicone it held almost straight away, no more than a few seconds of holding it in place. It also allows you to slide the glass into it's best position, unlike the backing pad which bonds instantly (but unfortunately doesn't hold for long). After about four hours I was driving with no sign of the glass moving. That was about four months ago now, and the glass seems more secure than the origanal on the other side.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 22:59
Reattaching rearview mirror - trancer
I am tempted, Tom, but unfortunately I think I only have white silicone. I will have to have a root through the garage to see if I have any clear. For the cost of purchasing clear I could get some proper adhesive.

Maybe the glass company sticky pads are much better than the ones I got at Halfords, but I have to say I am reluctant to go the sticky pad route again.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 23:04
Reattaching rearview mirror - Robin Reliant
I don't actually know if there is a difference in adhesion between the various colours, but for the record I used that brown stuff for UPVC windows.
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Fri 21 Jan 2005 23:21
Reattaching rearview mirror - john deacon
pads work better when they and surfaces are warm, hair dryer does the trick in this weather
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Sat 22 Jan 2005 10:46
Reattaching rearview mirror - trancer
The problem with the pad I used wasn't a lack of adhesion. It stuck fine and in fact took quite an effort to pull the mirror back off again. When it was up it just wobbled too much to the point where you would become nauseous trying to make out the cars following you. At night the headlights of following cars would cause quite a distraction as the mirror caused the light reflection to "flash".

The Halfords manager tried telling me that it didn't work because it wasn't warm, but I can't see how applying it when warm would make the pad any firmer.
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Mon 24 Jan 2005 08:35
Reattaching rearview mirror - AR-CoolC
A BMW 5 RVM will never hold in place with a sticky pad, they are just too heavy.
The Boss will come out of the mirror by twisting it, get a pair of locking pliers and hold it onto the metal ring that was attatched to the glass, twist the mirror through a quarter turn.
If you do stick the mirror on yourself then just make sure the triangle you will see is the right way up (Pionting down IIRC, its a long time since I've done one) or when you twist the mirror back on it will be at an angle.
Make sure both surfaces are clean and dry.
Put a drop of grease in the ball/socket part of the mirror to take the strain away from the glue when adjusting the mirror.


(Glass-Tech)
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Mon 24 Jan 2005 10:55
Reattaching rearview mirror - trancer
Thanks AR, I figured that all out yesterday. The button/lug/boss is now stuck to the windshield, but I am giving it a bit of time before I actually reattach the mirror. I used a Loctite branded glue/mesh product that was specifically labelled as review mirror adhesive.
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Mon 24 Jan 2005 12:37
Reattaching rearview mirror - AR-CoolC
Yeah I know the stuff you mean, should have no trouble with that.
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Mon 24 Jan 2005 13:27
Reattaching rearview mirror - trancer
No trouble at all. The mirror is back on and all is well.
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Thu 29 Mar 2018 12:49
Reattaching rearview mirror - KenC

To get the 70 degree ambiant temperature just place a domestic electric fan heater inside the car ( taking care to not direct the heat onto anything that may melt) and leaving it running for 5 minutes. I suggest the rear parcel shelf pointig forwards.

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Sun 11 Oct 2009 14:52
Reattaching rearview mirror - lancsman
Quick tip for clamping the mirror firmly into to place against the screen and avoiding imiting the statue of liberty for an hour till glue set-use an expanding pole which incorporates a twist lock. I used the wifes expanding duster pole, but a shower rail or one of those window cleaning kits should work just as well!

Attach a rubber band to one end to secure to the mirror button( take mirror off first) then its a case of trial and error until u get the exact length of pole-the other end is jammed into the back seat. Takes a couple of minutes to get the length just right so set it BEFORE applying glue! Happy clamping.....
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Thu 29 Mar 2018 09:48
Reattaching rearview mirror - Vehiclestuff

<!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->I am always using 3M rear view mirror adhesive. It is effective, and it takes only 15 minutes to cure. It is also affordable adhesive. You can also buy this adhesive at any car assesories shop and you get different types of adhesive.

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Fri 30 Mar 2018 03:53
Reattaching rearview mirror - edlithgow

Chewing gum?

Havn't tried it, but if I had this problem I probably would..

Miinimal investment, shouldn't be too destructive, and you could test adhesion somewhere non-critical first,

Maybe on a speed camera lens? Oh wait, DNA,,,,,,

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