So my old truck with the glue on rear view mirror has fallen off again. Does anybody have any suggestions on what actually works to stick them back on. I bought a tube of stuff suposed to do it, but it melted off at around 90 degrees. I tried something last time, and it froze off at -12. Anybody know of anything that works really well?
It’s only about 45, and will probably hit teens tonight, so is that going to be a problem in curing? I’m getting tired of having to do it every two months or so. Does or did anybody work at a windshield shop and know where I can get what the Pros use?
For what it’s worth the glueable piece on the mirror seems to be a 3/8 inch by one inch hunk of aluminum alloy with a patina like texture.
I went to the junkyard and looked until I found one w/ the right bracket, so that I could attach it to the roof of the cab w/ sheet metal screws. You might also consier attaching one to the top of the dash.
there’s supposed to be a little sticky pad you stick these things on with. You can buy them as replacements. Don’t use superglue or the windshield will crack. :eek:
Any auto parts store will have glue specifically formulated for sticking mirrors on windshields. FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. The important part is to make sure that all of the old glue is completely scraped off of both the windshield and the mounting bracket. If the windshield is at all cracked or pitted where it was originally mounted, move it slightly so that it is on a smooth surface. I’ve used these several times and haven’t had any problems, as long as I followed the directions.
There never was a pad, just adhesive between metal and glass.
I have tried the stuff in the auto stores and it just doesn’t hold through temperature. That why I was hoping there might be some professional method.(I was hoping there might be some phosporic acid or something based adhesive that would melt the glass and metal into each other. )
I had the same problem. Temps here can easily top 100 degrees in the summer.
The key was making absolutely sure the glass was clean and to put as much pressure on the mirror as possible for the full two minutes (or however many your instructions say).
I don’t know of any alternative to the glue kits available in parts stores. I’ve been using them for years, and the ones I’ve glued on have lasted for years, in a climate where temperatures range from below zero to about 100 (F).
I don’t know how important the temperature at time of application is. Generally, it’s been in the 65-85 range when I’ve done it. I scrape the glass with a razor blade, clean it with a solvent (brake parts cleaner), then clean it again with alcohol or acetone. I clean the metal mounting tab similarly, and situate myself so that I can apply pressure and hold it motionless for the prescribed time.
Perhaps the above description can help with improving technique. I seriously doubt that a different product is going to do the job.
The trick to the glue kits is that you have to take a razor scraper (lubricated with lots of Windex) and make sure ALL the old glue is scraped off along with any other contaminants like grease, nicotene, etc.
Soak the “button” in acetone to get the old glue off.
Then use the glue according to the instructions…once the “button” is secured to the windshield, put a piece of masking tape (about 6" of it) over the button and stick it to the windshield…let that sit for 12-24 hours.
Then peel the masking tape off and attach the mirror to the “button”.
I’ve done it like this on a couple of old Chryslers and it’s pretty permanent. And it gets up to 100 degrees here during the summer with the temperature in the car reaching 150 degrees or so with the windows up. Heat doesn’t affect this stuff if it’s done right.
It would need to be high-quality contact cement. I’ve found that some contact cement can soften at around 120F - less than what a car’s interior would see in summer.
The 2-part rearview mirror adhesive sold at auto parts stores is the professional method.
If you had to re-do it after two months, you either used the wrong stuff, missed a step in the instructions, or didn’t prep the glass and that metal nubbin properly.
I have had the same problem in the past - my mirror fell off, and nearly as soon as I got it reattached (with a kit, but not by me), with the summer sun constantly keeping my car way hotter than any person ever should have to tolerate (when the windows were up of course), it fell off again.
My ultimate solution was to take it to a professional auto glass place, where the guy kindly reattached it for free … slow day I guess.
It hasn’t budged since.
I’ve glued a few mirrors on with the standard glue kits, here in Texas where we have been known to get some high temperatures, and all the ones I’ve done have lasted for years. However, I don’t know how well they hold in the extreme cold, unless you call 20 F “extreme.”
As long as you follow the instructions, to the letter, I’ve never had an installation that failed. (Granted, it’s been YEARS since I had to reinstall one).
I’d bet 99.99999% of failures are due to an unclean surface.
I used JB Weld after I tried the mirror glue (and the mirror glue didn’t work!). That thing isn’t going anywhere now. (I used duct tape to hold it in place until the JB Weld set.)
The mirror fell off in my sons car. We tried that windshield mirror kit and it sucked!
I bought a tube of super glue at the dollar store and it worked! It’s been a year and a half now and it hasn’t fallen off!
The secret is put the glue on somewhat thick, and press that mirror up there for about 10 minutes. You’re going to feel like your arms are going to fall off, but that’s what I had to do and it worked. Even though super glue dries in under a minute it still needs time to harden.
I just did mine a few months back and I bought one of those handy dandy all in one kits. It had a pad that had the proper cleaning solution/solvent. It had a replacement metal spacer. It had a activator and glue applicator. And it had a little hunk of sandpaper to properly scuff up the nubbin surface.
The kit worked flawlessly and it’s already gotten damn cold here and it’s held fine. We’ll have to see about extremely high temps, but the stuff I bought is the same stuff professionals use.
Count me along with everyone else who suggests that perhaps you didn’t quite follow the instructions as scrupulously as you need to.
)