O.k., my rear view mirror fell off, last time it happened several years ago I had a shop put it back on, this time I want to try to do it myself if I can.
What glue do you guys use to re-attach a rear view mirror?
You can go to any parts store and buy a mirror adhesive kit. it only cost a few dollars and its easy to use. it should have cleaner and adhesive in it and step by step instructions.
good luck
Joe
The only thing i'd recommend before u use that kit is take a crayon on the outside of the windshield & outline the old adhesive or dirt mark on the window. Then clean off the inside & glue the tab on as instructed.
Good tip
That was part of the instructions in the last kit I used.
Tips, not necessarily sequential.
Take your time and get both the glass AND the mounting tab as clean as humanly possible, BEFORE using the cleaner provided in the mounting kit, and take care NOT to touch their surfaces with your hands once they are clean, as an unclean surface is the #1 cause of the new repair not lasting.
After initially cleaning all the adhesive residue off of the old tab or if you use a new one, make sure to lightly smooth the mounting surface with a fine abrasive paper or cloth (320 or so) to see if there are any high spots. This will also give the adhesive a bit more bite.
Since most people do not wear gloves while doing this repair, you may want to wipe your already clean hands with alcohol to temporarily get any normal skin oils off, (especially if you have oily skin to begin with) before you do the final wipe down of the glass and the tab. This will give you at least a few minutes of working time before the skin on your fingers gets oily again. (This is an old painter's tip.)
Once the adhesive is spread on it, I use a LOOSELY attached piece or 2 of "electrical" type tape to keep the tab from sliding down the glass and in the pre marked position, and then leave it alone, removing the tape after the bond is well set, usually the next morning.
If at all possible, do the repair once it's past the hottest part of the day, in a garage or in a shaded area and let it sit overnight before trying to mount the mirror afterwards.
One more tip.
DO NOT crank down the set screw that holds the mirror onto the tab with a lot of force. That is the second most common cause of the bond failing, as the tab can actually bend slightly with enough tension on it, which then places a tremendous amount of force onto the bond itself. Use a medium strength threadlocker on it instead.