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

[Hugh R]

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.

[fanaudical]

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...

[Geoz1]

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.

[Hugh R]

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?

[Jim Bremner]

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.

[mikeesik]

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.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

LOL Hugh. Awesome.

[Heel n Toe]

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.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

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).

[targa911S]

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

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

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?

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

[fastfredracing]

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.........

[Jim Richards]

Hugh, who changes your light bulbs for you?


j/k

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Hugh, who changes your light bulbs for you?


j/k

He has a lighting engineer technician do that for him

[Geoz1]

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

[shadowjack1]

FYI: Jokes are to be written in Green.

[stomachmonkey]

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.

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.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by Geoz1

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

Took it the wrong way.

[red-beard]

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

[duncan1437]

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.