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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Rear view mirror

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Sep 1 2005, 04:44 PM

I have a rear view mirror that was positioned incorrectly. Does anyone know of a way to safely remove one?

Mark

Posted by: Midtowner Sep 1 2005, 04:45 PM

Just wait. It will fall off on its own.

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Sep 1 2005, 04:47 PM

Gee why didn't I think of that!

Considering I did this about 10 years ago, Maybe a better solution is around.

Mark

Posted by: Midtowner Sep 1 2005, 04:50 PM

More seriously, I'd try strong dental floss or thin fishing line. You may have to replace the rubber pad that sandwiches between the glass and the mirror base.

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Sep 1 2005, 04:54 PM

Thanks Eric

I think I will give that a try. Maybe some steel wire?

Mark

Posted by: Jenny Sep 1 2005, 04:56 PM

Kragens, pep boys, etc. sell a solvent that will dissolve the adhesive. The trick is soaking the area. You'll be lucky to get a fraction of the liquid on the contact point. Most of it runs down your arms or off the can due to the angle of the windshield. It's especially hard if the mirror's mounted too high (as mine is) and there's no room between the targa pad and the mirror. I've heard people suggest using a straw and dripping it down onto the glass. I suppose eye dropper would work as well. Good luck!

Jen

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Sep 1 2005, 05:10 PM

Thanks Jen.

I will look for some.

My mirror is also mounted too high. I am getting tired of looking at the rear frame!

Mark

Posted by: ! Sep 1 2005, 05:28 PM

Murphy's Law...it will never come off when you want it to....only when it is inconvenient.

Posted by: Tobra Sep 1 2005, 07:35 PM

put thread on a needle, enough to hold it up above car, tie it in a knot. Stick needle on top side of double side tape, against glass. Hold thread up, drip solvent on thread, and it should follow thread to needle, and get betwixt the tape and windshield. Protect the dash, as that solvent could not be good for it. I just made that up, but it should work. What do you need to stick it back on? regular double side tape, or what.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Sep 1 2005, 07:55 PM

Just give it a good whack. Sucker comes right off.
cheers, Elliot

Posted by: Ray Warren Sep 1 2005, 08:00 PM

QUOTE (Elliot Cannon @ Sep 1 2005, 08:55 PM)
Just give it a good whack. Sucker comes right off.
cheers, Elliot

Be careful
I tried that and a chunk of glass came off with the mirror.
Cost me a new windshield.

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Sep 1 2005, 08:28 PM

QUOTE (Ray Warren @ Sep 1 2005, 07:00 PM)

QUOTE (Elliot Cannon @ Sep 1 2005, 08:55 PM)
Just give it a good whack. Sucker comes right off.
cheers, Elliot

Be careful
I tried that and a chunk of glass came off with the mirror.
Cost me a new windshield.

But it came off right? I forgot to put the LOL thing on the previous post. A good whack only works on my starter solenoid.
cheers, Elliot

Posted by: SpecialK Sep 1 2005, 09:04 PM

Untested, but I think if you had a heat gun and slowly circled the mirror (spiral motion, mirror being the center), from the outside of the windshield, that it would be enough to break down the adhesive (have an assistant pulling on/ready to catch it), without damaging the glass. But that's all beery.....uh, I mean theory.

Weekend started early..........Happy Labor(less) Day Weekend everyone!!

(Don't hold the heatgun in one place too long or baaaad things will happen )

Posted by: Jenny Sep 1 2005, 11:35 PM

It's usually NOT tape that's holding it on. More like a crazy glue type adhesive. I don't know if that responds to heat at all. I figured it's when the glue gets too dry and baked on, it eventually cracks/flakes off. The thread and needle trick sounds good though. I might have to try that.

Jen

Posted by: MattR Sep 2 2005, 12:08 AM

I used a razor blade, some acetone, and took my time. I started at one corner and worked my way around drizzling some acetone in the crack. It soaked in and got easier.

Posted by: pfierb Sep 2 2005, 05:23 AM

Had the same problem so I went to a local glass shop they used a ultra violet heat gun a bunch of razor blades and some kind of solvent before it came off....even then a
small piece of glass chipped off but they filled it in with epoxy so looks perfect now.Take your time don't rush it.

Good luck Paul F.

Posted by: Tobra Sep 2 2005, 01:20 PM

And to reattach, is it just heavy duty double sided tape, or is it super glue? Mine is in my glove box

Posted by: Midtowner Sep 2 2005, 01:48 PM

If you are patient, you may want to consider one of Dr. Evil's mirror replacement:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=4&t=24383&st=20

Posted by: aircooledboy Sep 2 2005, 01:52 PM

DON'T USE SUPER GLUE

There is a special glue made for attaching rear view mirror tabs. Go to a glass shop, pay them the 5 bucks, and let them do it once and you are done. "Super Glue" type glues create too firm of a bond between the tab and the glass. Since glass and metal have very different expansion rates, you will end up with a crack on a very hot or very cold day. Saw it first hand dozens of times when I worked in the auto glass business.

Posted by: Rand Sep 2 2005, 02:50 PM

Pick up your daughter, she swings her backpack around as she sits down, knocks it right off. BTDT.

Ouch, Ray!!! I've seen several get knocked off, but never seen them take glass with it.
Guess I'll avoid that advice that says the bigger the hammer the easier it comes off.

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Mar 19 2011, 10:34 AM

It has been quite awhile since this thread. I think this was my first post here. I put up with that damn out of position mirror all these years. Well the windshield developed a crack and need replacing. This gave me the opportunity to see what it would take to get it off. My spare used windshield I discovered also had a crack so I have 2 to remove. The answer is heat. I used a mapp torch. I held the flame on the metal and made sure not to heat the glass. I held the flame parallel to the glass. I didn't have to heat it too much. I used a hammer to tap the base sideways. I did not hit hard. At first nothing. A little more heat and I tried again. This worked on both windshields. I would probably still be a little squemish if I were looking at a 400.00 piece of glass but this did work.