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> How do I remove the rear view mirror base ?
Porsche Rescue
post Jan 24 2005, 07:40 PM
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Usually the problem is making the damn thing stay on. Here is the situation. PO (not me honest, but I am capable of it) mounted the mirror base to the windshield upside down. I need to remove it and reinstall. He did a fine job. I can't even get a razor blade between it and the glass. Best adhesive job I've seen (naturally!). Any suggestions appreciated.
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scotty b
post Jan 24 2005, 07:46 PM
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Fingernail polish remover? It seems to work on everything else! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)
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Ray Warren
post Jan 24 2005, 07:50 PM
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Don't pull on it too hard.
I did and it cost me a new windshield.
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scotty b
post Jan 24 2005, 07:52 PM
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QUOTE (Ray Warren @ Jan 24 2005, 05:50 PM)
Don't pull on it too hard.
I did and it cost me a new windshield.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) All I can say is WOW (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/icon_bump.gif)
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Martin Baker
post Jan 24 2005, 07:57 PM
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How is it attached? Original doubled sided tape pad, or super glue? Heat gun on a low setting, with a razor blade, you just do not want to use the glass for leverage in any way. You won't have to worry about the mount if you break the glass....
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Ray Warren
post Jan 24 2005, 08:04 PM
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QUOTE (scotty b @ Jan 24 2005, 08:52 PM)
QUOTE (Ray Warren @ Jan 24 2005, 05:50 PM)
Don't pull on it too hard.
I did and it cost me a new windshield.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) All I can say is WOW (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/icon_bump.gif)

Yup
I read a bunch of posts about how they just fall off
so I gave it a couple of good tugs and it came off with
a big chunck of glass.
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Seagrave
post Jan 24 2005, 08:07 PM
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If your car is in the garage (and not too cold), a hair dryer and slight pressure will do it. I've never broken a windshield...but stranger things have happened.
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scotty b
post Jan 24 2005, 08:08 PM
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QUOTE (Ray Warren @ Jan 24 2005, 06:04 PM)
QUOTE (scotty b @ Jan 24 2005, 08:52 PM)
QUOTE (Ray Warren @ Jan 24 2005, 05:50 PM)
Don't pull on it too hard.
I did and it cost me a new windshield.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) All I can say is WOW (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/icon_bump.gif)

Yup
I read a bunch of posts about how they just fall off
so I gave it a couple of good tugs and it came off with
a big chunck of glass.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) MAYBE you shouldn't be tugging on it in the car (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Bathroom seems a little more appropriate...and discrete (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)
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aircooledboy
post Jan 24 2005, 08:13 PM
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That is a tough one. If it is on there good and proper like you describe, it is almost certainly attached with legit rear view mirror glue. With the very small clearance between the metal and the glass, solvents won't penetrate far enough to help. In the glass shop, we would remove them by pouring alcohol on them and lighting it. It gets hot enough that you can then twist (not pull) the tab off with channel locks. Problem for you is that is best done while the windshield is laying flat on the glass rack. I did remove a few over the years by carefully doing the same thing while the glass was installed, but it ain't easy. You have to be really careful not to melt anything above the glass. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif)

I saw other guys use any oxy/acet torch with a very hot flame and a quick touch, but the risks are about the same, and if you linger too long with the flame, you can melt the laminate sheet in the windshield.

Sorry dude, no easy answer. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)
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scruz914
post Jan 24 2005, 08:16 PM
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Usually they are glued on with a special rear view mirror adhesive. (Well probably not special for rear view mirrors, but a special adhesive anyway.) You can buy it at your FLAPS. There may be a solvent for removing them.
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scotty b
post Jan 24 2005, 08:16 PM
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The other concern with using heat, is that being in Oregon, it is cold right now, and we all know cold glass and heat don't mix well! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif)
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drgchapman
post Jan 24 2005, 08:17 PM
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I like the hairdryer idea. Razor blade for the release. Harmon Glass, here in Beaverton has new clear Windshields for ~$200.00. We know how to take it from there...........
Only other option I can think of is to cut and fit, then much glue. Then you are the PO form hell. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/chair.gif)


Gary
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Ray Warren
post Jan 24 2005, 08:25 PM
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MAYBE you shouldn't be tugging on it in the car (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Bathroom seems a little more appropriate...and discrete (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

I had a feeling that someone would say something about that. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smoke.gif)
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aircooledboy
post Jan 24 2005, 08:29 PM
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QUOTE (scotty b @ Jan 24 2005, 08:16 PM)
The other concern with using heat, is that being in Oregon, it is cold right now, and we all know cold glass and heat don't mix well! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif)

A very good point. That is why the alcohol is the best choice. The heat radiates up, and quickly. Heats up the tab & the glue only. Absolutely best done while the glass is out. Unfortunately, not really an option here. A hair dryer ain't gonna get it though. Average hair dryer gets to be about 90-100' tops, windshield gets to 150' easy on a hot sunny day. If 100' would do it, we would all lose our mirrors every summer.

The other alternative is just use it as is. If I recall correctly, the later mirrors had a ball joint at the base. Put it on, and rotate 180'. Ain't prefect, but it beats pulling the glass, or worse.
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scotty b
post Jan 24 2005, 08:30 PM
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(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Yeah but I've got a lot of respect (and fear) for a guy that can ruin a windshield like that!! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) Especially if you knocked a chunk of glass out (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) Your wife must live in constant fear (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/grouphug.gif)
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MarkV
post Jan 24 2005, 08:35 PM
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Let a glass shop do it. They probably have a special solvent. Can't cost much.
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Ray Warren
post Jan 24 2005, 08:38 PM
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QUOTE (MarkV @ Jan 24 2005, 09:35 PM)
Let a glass shop do it. They probably have a special solvent. Can't cost much.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif)
They must do it all day every day.
New windshields don't come with new mirrors.
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markb
post Jan 24 2005, 08:38 PM
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QUOTE (MarkV @ Jan 24 2005, 06:35 PM)
Let a glass shop do it. They probably have a special solvent. Can't cost much.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif)
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aircooledboy
post Jan 24 2005, 08:55 PM
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QUOTE (Ray Warren @ Jan 24 2005, 08:38 PM)
QUOTE (MarkV @ Jan 24 2005, 09:35 PM)
Let a glass shop do it. They probably have a special solvent. Can't cost much.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif)
They must do it all day every day.
New windshields don't come with new mirrors.

I was an auto glass installer for a long time. It was quite a while back, and we had solvents that would melt anything (I'm sure several were comically carcinogenic) , but we had no solvent for mirror adhesive back then. As I said, there is no clearance, so a solvent won't get in there. That's the difference between a good bond to glass and a bad one. The thinner the glue, the better the bond. I don't think that has changed. That's why we used the alcohol method.

New windshields actually do come with the tab attached 99% of the time. Ocassionally you would have to glue one on a new install, but if you F'ed it up, you poured alcohol on it, lit it, twisted it off, and did it again. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/monkeydance.gif) I knew 50 guys at 20 different shops in the area, and we all did it the same way.

I still talk to my old buds at the shop every now and then. I can call them tomorrow and see if they have developed a better answer in the last 15 years or so.
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Porsche Rescue
post Jan 24 2005, 10:21 PM
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Sounds like I'm in deep. I'll wait to hear what Chris learns. Suspect I will try a shop first. Windshield and outer trim look new and I'd hate to lose it. Thanks to all.
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