Rear view mirror reattatchment

[speaceman]

The rear view mirror on my sister's TJ fell off on the way to showing it to someone yesterday.

What's the easiest way to get it back on?

I'm assuming pep boys/napa/autozone sells some sort of adhesive specifically for this?

I'm also assuming I have to scrape off the old glue off the windshield before applying the new stuff?

Thanks.

[TObject]

Yes, special rearview mirror adhesive, I don't remember, but I think it is a two-part process. Do not, I repeat, do not buy self-gluing mirror stubbies, or any kind of quick sticky pads -- they don't work. You need the actual adhesive, and follow the directions exactly.

And you are right, the old glue needs to come off the windshield and from the mirror pad too if there is any left on there. A flexible razorblade should work nicely, but be careful and don't cut yourself. After you are done scraping, remove any oil residues with something like brake cleaner fluid or acetone.

[speaceman]

Thanks,

Guess I have to make a trip down to the auto parts store at lunch today.

[Jerry Bransford]

The glue used in those mirror reattach kits is essentially nothing more than super glue Shalom. Just make sure you don't use more than the recommended amount which should be about one drop. Covering the entire mirror base surface with super glue, for some reason, seems to make it less secure than just the single drop.

[TObject]

Not quite that simple.

If you like the Super Glue brand, they do make Rear View Mirror Adhesive. It's a two-part system: Part A ? Activator/Accelerator ? light blue transparent liquid; Part B ? Adhesive ? yellow liquid adhesive.

The original Super Glue is Cyanoacrylate based, the rear view mirror adhesive is Hydroxyalkyl methacrylate based, so they are not the same.

[speaceman]

/\/\/\ I don't know what Sergey just said, but I just picked up the mirror adhesive and it comes in two tubes. You let one set on the window for 5 minutes and then apply 1 drop of the other to the mirror base and then apply the base to the window.

So that's not exactly like applying superglue to the backing.

Plus, this mirror adhesive has way more warnings on it that super glue does, especially about its flammable nature.

[speaceman]

BTW, the mirror adhesive, by permatex, at least, only costs $2.99 for anyone that is interested and will have to reattach their mirror one day.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally posted by TObject
Not quite that simple.

If you like the Super Glue brand, they do make Rear View Mirror Adhesive. It's a two-part system: Part A ? Activator/Accelerator ? light blue transparent liquid; Part B ? Adhesive ? yellow liquid adhesive.

The original Super Glue is Cyanoacrylate based, the rear view mirror adhesive is Hydroxyalkyl methacrylate based, so they are not the same.

Well it USED to be that simple when I had several mirrors to glue back on.

[Dan-H]

And now my friend, the first rule of Italian driving.

Whatsa behind me (breaks rear view mirror off and tosses it behind him), is not important!

[Matt Pascoe]

Originally posted by Dan-H
Whatsa behind me (breaks rear view mirror off and tosses it behind him), is not important!

Amen!

The factory adhesive held my rear view mirror on for 15+ years. One day it just gave up.

I used the appropriate Permatex two-part glue to re-attach it - fell off again in two months.

Repeated process - fell off again in two months.

Took it to a windshield shop that had a "lifetime gaurenteed" rear view mirror installation - fell off again in two months.

Took it back to them to re-apply - fell off again in two months.

I proudly no longer have a rear view mirror

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Matt Pascoe
Amen!

The factory adhesive held my rear view mirror on for 15+ years. One day it just gave up.

I used the appropriate Permatex two-part glue to re-attach it - fell off again in two months.

Repeated process - fell off again in two months.

Took it to a windshield shop that had a "lifetime gaurenteed" rear view mirror installation - fell off again in two months.

Took it back to them to re-apply - fell off again in two months.

I proudly no longer have a rear view mirror

I had the same problem, then the last time I installed the button, I read and followed the directions. When I took the windshield frame down to get it painted, I wanted new glass installed after because of all the sand pits. The shop was going to do it and I wanted the button so I could mount it to the V bars I put in the front of the cage.

I destroyed the windshield getting the button off, so I must have got it right at least once.

[Iceman]

mine also came off a while ago and I tried the Permatex stuff mentioned, but it didn't work. I'm strongly considering attaching the rear view mirror to the roll cage somehow and making it removeable

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Iceman
mine also came off a while ago and I tried the Permatex stuff mentioned, but it didn't work. I'm strongly considering attaching the rear view mirror to the roll cage somehow and making it removeable

That's what I did. I drilled and countersunk two holes in the mirror button and mounted it to a flat plate I welded between the V bars for the windshield spreader.

[Joe Dillard]

I have reglued mine at least 3 times.

The current reglue has lasted ~5 years.

Opps, now I've done it - it'll be falling off sometime today. Maybe it has already fallen off while just sitting in my garage.

Sergey, can I quote you on all that mumbo-jumbo?

[speaceman]

At $2.99 a shot, if it lasts 5 years, that seems fair to me.

Anyway, I mounted the button this morning. The mirror is up as of now.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Stu Olson]

Originally posted by speaceman
At $2.99 a shot, if it lasts 5 years, that seems fair to me.

Anyway, I mounted the button this morning. The mirror is up as of now.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Let us know if it falls off in 2 months.

[Paradiddle]

Originally posted by Dan-H
And now my friend, the first rule of Italian driving.

Whatsa behind me (breaks rear view mirror off and tosses it behind him), is not important!

GREATIST MOVIE EVER MADE!!!!!!

"Sir we don't have a fixed we airplane that will go that fast..."

"That was the ugliest car I've ever seen"
"It looked like a bathtub"

[Paradiddle]

Originally posted by Stu Olson
Let us know if it falls off in 2 months.

His sister will have sold it by then - maybe the new owner will post on this board.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally posted by mrblaine I destroyed the windshield getting the button off, so I must have got it right at least once.

My wife's car was under warranty when its mirror started falling off. I carefully glued and reglued her mirror back in place but it kept falling off anyway. Then her car needed warranty service so I told the service writer the mirror needed to be glued back on as it kept falling off. As I noticed the service writer looked to see that the mirror was still in place, I quickly commented 'sure it's on now but watch how easily it falls off'. I tapped the mirror fully expecting it to come off, then I smacked it harder, then I manhandled it until it finally snapped off. I was totally embarassed thinking ok, he now thinks I'm a total nut case.

I musta finally got it right that last time too.

[speaceman]

Originally posted by Paradiddle
His sister will have sold it by then - maybe the new owner will post on this board.

I hope not. That would be a bit embarrassing.