rear view mirror adhesive (auto, windshield, best, buy)

[Coldjensens]

does anyone know of a good product for gluing a rear view mirror back on to a windshield. we have tried 6 different products and everyone of them the mirror fell off within a few minutes to an hour

[GarageLogic]

All I've ever used is the cheap crap you can pick up at any auto parts store, and I've never had one fall off.

[vmaxnc]

I've used Permatex several times with no problem, except that the last time I tried the windshield split from top to bottom.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

does anyone know of a good product for gluing a rear view mirror back on to a windshield. we have tried 6 different products and everyone of them the mirror fell off within a few minutes to an hour

I've had the same problem. Eventually I took it to a local auto-glass shop and they glued it up for 10 bucks. No more problem.

[Me007gold]

crap from the parts store always worked for me, Only had to use it twice, each on a different car. If it keeps falling off, I would imagine you are not following the directions correctly.

[jaydez]

Any parts store crap i used fell off the next summer when the car got hot again. You are best off calling an automotive glass company and asking how much to glue it back on.

[DELL37]

Getting this stuff to work correct required that you follow the directions. I've had to replace a few over the years all in different cars. After I learned my mistake I never had one fall off again.


Buy the glue. NOT the silicone based stuff as it takes forever to cure.

Scrape off all of the old glue from the window and the little metal thing. Soak the metal thing in solvent if necessary.

Clean the window and the little thing with a good glass cleaner. When you think it's clean do it again for good measure.

Next use rubbing alcohol to clean the spot on the window and little metal thing. DO not handle the little metal thing again after this cleaning without some kind of gloves to keep your grimy paws off it..

Apply the activator to the back of the metal part and to the spot on the windshield and let it DRY.

Apply the glue to the metal thing and let it sit for about 2 mins to tack up.

Now Place it against the window. Push firmly and hold for about two minutes.

Let it set and dry for at LEAST 24 hours. It needs to cure. Drying and curing are two different things. Longer is better.

Reattach the mirror. It should never come down again.

[MckinneyOwnr]

Most mirrors fall off because the glass surface wasn't properly prepped before attaching the mirror. You have to get all the haze off of it before the glue will stick. Go to your local autoparts store and buy the stuff that is designed for attaching rear view mirrors, nothing else.

I suggest wearing some latex gloves while doing this. That way, you can make sure you use plenty of glue, and if it overruns, it will just attach to the glove and the glove will tear. You can always scrape off any excess glue from the glass if need be.

I've done 2-3 in my life, in the Texas and FL heat, and none of them ever fell down again.

[little elmer]

As DELL37 said, you're not gluing the mirror to the windshield, you're gluing the bracket - then hang the mirror to the bracket 24 hours later.

Can't tell you how many people I've seen over the years that tried to mount their mirror to the glass.

[duster1979]

All good replies. I've used whatever they sell at Walmart/Autozone/O'Reilly's dozens of times with good results.

Your problem is probably either surface prep, surface temp too high or low at time of applications, or you're attaching the mirror to the button too soon.