Re-Attaching a rearview mirror to the windshield-Less Learned
 

My rearview mirror fell of the windshield on my 3 year old replacement windshield on my Camry today.

I went to Pep Boys and bought the $4 re-glue kit which consists of the glue and and activator wipe. I scraped the old glue off the windshield and the metal button that you glue to the windshield with my razor knife. I put a few drops of the glue on the button after using the activator wipe. It said let it sit for 15 minutes, I let it sit for an hour. I went to re-attach the mirror and the button fell off, still wet with the glue.

I went back to Pep Boys and bought the deluxe Pro kit ($7.00) which has the glue and the activator wipe, it also has a safety razor blade and more importantly a piece of about 100 grit sandpaper. You need the sandpaper to really get the glue off of the button and down to the metal, the razor blade doesn't cut it. Also, it said use one drop ONLY of the glue. I'm guessing that the activator wipe is only good for one drop of glue, otherwise it won't cure properly (like I said the glue was still wet) . It said let it sit for 1/2 hour, I let it sit for four hours and it held.

MORAL of the story. If you buy the cheap kit use sand paper to really get the old glue off of the button and only use one drop of the glue, like they say.

My humble learning experience for the year.

I just went through almost the same thing this weekend. When it said "one drop", I decided that it really meant one BIG drop and used half the little bottle. It's holding...

After learning how to change a tire, you graduate and learn the art of reattaching a rear view mirror. One day, you will be able to change your own oil.

Geoz1 from Bum**** Ill.

First time on this issue. I thought I'd share a small (obviously stupid to you) learning experience. I mean, I must be an idiot, right?

Lets see I've rebuilt a 1929 Rudge Whitworth motorcycle, a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 twice that I owned for 36 years, an Aston Martin DB2-4 Mark III, (that my Brother owned for 20 years) a Triumph TR7 (POS), a 1980 Toyota, a Renault 10 a BMW 2002, a few 60's and 70's Mustangs, a 66 Corvette (that still belongs to my ex Brother-in-Law)) and a few lawnmowers and the occasional two stroke weed wacker, that I can think of. But a nubie on my 911, all that I've done on that is a complete A/C rebuild (34 degree air) a few valve adjusts, complete tuneups, clutch cable replacement, complete front end rebuild, all four wheel brake rebuilds, alternator rebuild, oil return tube replacements, and 1/2 shaft rebuilds.

But thanks for the tip Geoz1. 13 posts? you certainly are the "expert" here, aren't you?

Joanna and I have a defective psychotic cattle dog named Cole.

To say that Cattle dogs are control freaks is putting it mildly. well Cole went to work with me in the Corvette the other day. My son had my silverado that I use for hauling things like dirt-bikes, wood, trailers and K9's that really shouldn't ride in a fair car.

It seems that Cole Field that windshield wipers are spawn of the devil and not only must be controlled, but killed.

I made a mistake and knocked the windshield wipers to "On" Said psychotic dog lept to the windshield to destroy all living things and doing so removed the rear view mirror!

The damn thing (not the dog( has a snap on/off base. 17 seconds later the dog was sedated ant the rear view mirror was once again in it's place where it blocks my view of uphill right hand turns.

On my winter-beater there is no r.mirror.
I prefer it this way. Tail gaitors are non-existent. I feel like I'm 80 years old and can dream about old times, with Lyndon Johnson in charge of the country.

LOL Hugh. Awesome.

;)

Hugh, I feeeeeeeeeeeel your pain. I hate those glued-on mirrors. They have fallen off on me with no more than a slight bump when cleaning the inside of the windshield.

I have had to reglue them on VACATION before.

They are not a cool invention. They are a huge liability, IMO. What is one to do if it falls off at night and you're nowhere you can buy the kit?

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

BTW, I think Geoz was going for the laugh... I don't think he was trying to PISS you off... but YMMV.

I would seriously consider a glued-on rearview as a dealbreaker on a car I was considering for me or the wifey.

No... not "consider"... it would be a dealbreaker. I hate 'em that much.

I don't even know why we have rearview mirrors anyway. Sideview works fine when driving and I always turn my head around (as I was trained to in driver's ed many years ago) when either changing lanes or backing up. I don't really use my rearview that much to be honest. If it fell off it wouldn't impact my ability to drive safely one bit. Why does it matter who's behind me?

The ONLY example I can think of when a rearview might be useful for safety is in a place like Vegas where it's common to be sitting at a light and have someone come barreling up to the light, realize too late it's red and slam into the back of you. But you can use side mirrors to watch for people closing too fast while you're stopped too (I do this all the time on the motorcycle and have my hand on the clutch ready to do a quick "jump" ahead and to one side if I think the person isn't going to stop and is going to otherwise plow into me).

Yeah, I think Geoz was going for the laugh also...but it was fun the way you spanked him..

So do you want some tips on changing your own oil or not? :D

Here is another good tip for you guys. Don't glue the little metal tab on the windshield backwards. That glue seems to take forever to set, but once it does.........

Hugh, who changes your light bulbs for you?


j/k :D

He has a lighting engineer technician do that for him

It was meant to be a joke. I find it very funny that he felt the need to list his resume. I guess the internet IS serious business. LMAO

FYI: Jokes are to be written in Green.SmileWavy

Geoz1.

When we want to indicate sarcasm on this board we change the font color to green.

When we are joking around we also add emoticons.;)SmileWavy

The written word by itself is poor at communicating intent so it sometimes needs some help.

Hugh is one of the good guys on the board.

Very easy going, friendly and can take a joke.

Welcome to the board.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Took it the wrong way. SmileWavy

For some reason, the 914 windshields hate the rearview mirror being attached.

for some reason, the merkur xr4ti hates the rearview mirror being attached with glue. it will cause the windshield to crack. the mirror has to be attached with double sided tape.

You can use acetone to remove the old glue, in lieu of sanding it off.

Super glue needs a little water to cure out. Try exhaling on it next time, before attaching the pad to the window.

JR

Thanks for the heads up... The mirror in my daughters car fell off recently.

I didn't. I though it was a poor attempt at humor (if that's what it was) and useless besides. After learning how to log on, you graduate and learn the art of response. One day, you will be able to write meaningful posts.

well, you did come at him from a staggering 15 post count. :D

hugh, lucky you didnt glue your finger to the windshield. it can happen, (or to the dash)..i've heard.

Cool tip, thanks. Again, I do want to apologize. Geoz1, we share sometimes obvious, sometimes not obvious tips here.

Remind me to stay on your good side...I've seen Tomahawk missiles cause less damage :)

SmileWavy A little ribbing keeps us sharp. I assumed it was par for the course after my first few posts. I spend most of my time on a dragracing site, but I may make room for this site.:D

Another (maybe obvious) tip - mark where your mirror button was, before removing the glue residue. I wanted to move my mirror up just a bit higher to gain better forward visibility. Long story short - you better like your sunvisors in front of the mirror :D

Hugh has no enemies. Anymore.

Hugh,
Thanks for the tip. I'll be re-installing the mirror on my new windshield soon. I never had much luck with those kits in the past. And I never read the instructions on anything!

I'll make sure to sand the plate, etc.

Yes, it does keep us on our toes. SmileWavy

Dude, when I read your reply I had to check and make sure it wasn't from me!
Struck a nerve ......

Gentlemen, this is the internet. Very few of us will ever meet each other. Even less will back up the **** that spews out of their mouth. I have no problem talking face to face. I will gladly give my home address out. I will welcome you with a steak dinner, and a tour of my facilities.

Hugh, Where abouts are you located? I have a early German guy in the southern area. Mainly restorations, 912,911,356 and VW are his specialties. His work speaks for itself, and is published. We would love to meet you>

Thanks, I'm in the Los Angeles area.

I've had success using JB Weld in the past. It's been a long time since I've owned a car with the mirror attached that way though.

I gave up on the glues and go with JB Quick Weld. Seemed like every single time I used the adhesives intended on the job they would hold until that faithful day that it was cold and I had to adjust my mirror and the mirror would end up in my hand. JB weld (jb quick) took about 5 minutes to be on there permanently. Not sure what happens if you need to remove a JB welded mirror though. I guess you would have to break the glass around the metal.

So... is anyone going to tell us how to change the oil?