Rearview Mirror Broke Off!

I came to my car and my mirror was hanging by the wire. I think the sun melted the adhesive off due to no signs of forced entry. Can I use crazy glue to put it back on?

Use super glue (CA). It'll hold for a long time if you don't strike the mirror with any hard objects.

Suoer glue should work. Thats actually a pretty common thing to happen in older cars in warm climates,

better than superglue - use 'rearview mirror adhesive'.

(I'm not sure it's any different from superglue, seems like the same stuff... but I'm no chemist)

deekster_caddy wrote:

better than superglue - use 'rearview mirror adhesive'.

(I'm not sure it's any different from superglue, seems like the same stuff... but I'm no chemist)

"rearview mirror adhesive" if I remember right is a clear epoxy. I'd use it instead of superglue. Superglue is a cyanoacrylate that will degrade more quickly under UV (sunlight) than the epoxy, I am told.

Albertj

where do i find this magical adhesive?

rear view mirror adhesive (the clear stuff) is available at an auto parts store - NAPA, AutoZone, CarQuest - and also available (usually) at GM dealers (I don't remember the P/N).

Albertj

that specific adhesive works much better than any "superglue". my dad used to have a problem with his mirror falling off b/c he wasnt careful when removing the sunshade on really hot FL days. he tried all kinds of cheap glues, but eventually bought the stuff made to hold rearview mirrors up and it had held ever since. i even had to use the stuff on my Riv about 3 years ago b/c one hot summer day i had the same thing happen to me (found it hanging by the wires), but after re-gluing it, it has been fine ever since...even with 2 kicker solo's in the trunk constantly rattling it

Super glue and the special rear-view mirror adhesives are both types of CA (cyanoacrylate). The specific rear-view stuff may be a better formula for the job. I used a type called CA+, available at hobby stores for model building. It's been holding now for over 2 years.

The key really isn't the adhesive, imo. It's preparation. use a razor blade to scrape off the old glue, and alcohol to clean the metal and glass surfaces. Use enough glue to coat the metal part on the mirror.

AA wrote:

The key really isn't the adhesive, imo. It's preparation. use a razor blade to scrape off the old glue, and alcohol to clean the metal and glass surfaces. Use enough glue to coat the metal part on the mirror.

I can say that quick-drying epoxy didn't work for me. The heat of the window cured the epoxy before I could get it to stick! The CA or mirror adhesive seems to be the best choice.

prep is equally important with these fixes. IDK how it is everywhere else, but down here, during hot summer months, napa /AZ /etc. has the rearview adhesives on the front desk, right next to the cans of freon
...at least it will only be 95* today b/c of constant rain and clouds

Aaron: Some clear epoxy does not dry quickly, some does. With 2-part, depends on temp and on how much hardener you mix in - not enough and it never dries, too much and it dries too fast and gets tough to work, may get brittle.

Just the same, thanks for the correction about the mirror adhesive - apparently there are different kinds available. the CA would keep on the shelf longer than the 1-part clear epoxy.

Finally -you are ABSOLUTELY right about getting the window clean before cementing on the mirror. I keep a couple bottles of dry gas (the really cheap wood alcohol stuff, with no additives) around for just this sort of cleaning. 91% isopropyl (Wal-Mart, CVS has) works OK, I think dry gas is better. ALso - be careful to be sure the towel or cloth is clean and does not have any residue - not even fabric softener. FOr something like this I'd probably use a paper napkin.

Albertj

I realize this is an old post but has anyone dealt with re-glueing the rearview mirror back on?

The massive heatwave a couple weeks ago dropped my mirror and i have made several attempts to get it back on but it just fell off again...

I took the little wedge out and glued it separate from the actual mirror then it broke off when i was reinstalling it... the clip is designed for a 200 pound mirror. So I tried the duct tape and epoxy method which held for 5 days.... now I'm looking for a writeup

Did you clean the glass and the wedge REAL GOOD before you attempted the glue job (lol that sounds disturbing)? I know that if there are any remnants at all left over, it won't stick.

Stupid Question: Did you use the proper adhesive?

Abaddon wrote:

Stupid Question: Did you use the proper adhesive?

That's my question too. Auto Parts stores have the proper adhesive, and if the area is prepped correctly, and the adhesive used correctly, the glass will break before it lets go.

LARRY70GS wrote:

Abaddon wrote:

Stupid Question: Did you use the proper adhesive?

That's my question too. Auto Parts stores have the proper adhesive, and if the area is prepped correctly, and the adhesive used correctly, the glass will break before it lets go.

Mine fell off a few years ago and I bought the correct adhesive at the Auto Parts store and I haven't had any issues. I took the metal mounting tab off the mirror and glued that first to the window. After the glue sets up you can attach the mirror. Make sure everything is clean first and follow the instructions that come with the adhesive.

I had to do this a few months ago, and I think NAPA had at least 3 different products on the shelf. I bought the "upmarket" one that included a razor blade, an alcohol wipe, a surface-prep wipe and the adhesive in a crush-type applicator. It worked like a charm, despite your being correct about the insanely strong spring-clip that they have substituted for the old allen-screw...

If you get one of these major-brand products, Loctite, etc, your biggest problem should be making sure you don't glue the tab on backwards or upside down. Then you just do as the book says and slide the mirror flat down the glass onto the tab, from above.

thanks all!

first time was a two part epoxy - wont make that mistake again it was hard to clean off

O-Rielly kid sold me Permatex 81844 stuff which held for a couple days

3M seems to have the right stuff in 8752 but heat wave has passed for know if it fails i'll keep the group posted...GM has a guaranteed product OEM

I have had good luck with common CA (superglue). Usually holds at least 2 years. 100ºF+ days are the true test. Cleaning the window and mount properly is the key.

I can't imagine why anyone would use anything other than the "rearview mirror adhesive" available at any auto parts store. If you follow the directions, you could do chin ups on the mirror and it won't come off, but you might break the window.

I can see it, because some people want a quick fix. Imagine you have a mirror dangling from your windshield, and you have a tube of superglue and a razor blade in your desk drawer. 2 mins later, you have a fixed mirror and 2 years later it's still stuck there. That makes a believer out of most.

Agreed, there are a few adhesives out there that are better suited, but CA will work, is less expensive, and often more convenient. I think the prep instructions included with most rear-view mirror adhesives is worth more than the adhesive itself. I first used CA for a temporary fix, and 2 years later it's still hanging up there. You know the old saying, "if it ain't broke..."

I don't think there's any glue out there that will actually let you do chin-ups, or brake the window glass, nor would you want that. GM's shop manual assumes the adhesive should release under a certain level of stress. Their instructions for removal of the rearview mirror say to literally grab the mirror and give it a firm jerk.

AA wrote:

I can see it, because some people want a quick fix. Imagine you have a mirror dangling from your windshield, and you have a tube of superglue and a razor blade in your desk drawer. 2 mins later, you have a fixed mirror and 2 years later it's still stuck there. That makes a believer out of most.

Agreed, there are a few adhesives out there that are better suited, but CA will work, is less expensive, and often more convenient. I think the prep instructions included with most rear-view mirror adhesives is worth more than the adhesive itself. I first used CA for a temporary fix, and 2 years later it's still hanging up there. You know the old saying, "if it ain't broke..."

I don't think there's any glue out there that will actually let you do chin-ups, or brake the window glass, nor would you want that. GM's shop manual assumes the adhesive should release under a certain level of stress. Their instructions for removal of the rearview mirror say to literally grab the mirror and give it a firm jerk.

Aaron,
Years ago, I had a 1986 Buick Regal with the Guttless 307 in it. I had installed one of those deluxe rear view mirrors in it (the ones with dual map lights) when the original fell off. The metal tab was different from the original rear mirror to the deluxe one. Years later, the car was in a bad accident, and I really didn't want to fix it. I decided to sell the car. I removed my aftermarket stereo,and then I went to remove the deluxe mirror. It was then that I discovered that the tabs were different between the two mirrors. I slid the deluxe mirror back on, and tried to pull the tab off the window using the mirror as leverage. I had my full weight on it (170lbs.), and it would not come off. I kept pulling on it, and eventually, a chunk of glass came off with the tab, putting a small crack in the windshield. I bought another adhesive kit, and installed the other tab under where the other tab had broken away. I sold the car like that.

I've never had much luck with super glue. It will bond your skin though, LOL.

Wow, good story. Whatever you used must have been some pretty strong stuff! I guess the key is to buy the correct adhesive ahead of time and put it in the glove box, or somewhere else accessible. That way it will be at arm's reach when you come out to the car on a hot day and the mirror is hanging from the gallows.