Rear View Mirrors keep falling off and breaking.......Advice needed

[Indyted]

I need some advice regarding rear view mirrors mounted on the inside windshield of my Avanti. I have lost two rear view mirrors in the last 2 years. I mounted these mirrors using either Permatex or 3M mirror adhesives. I followed the instructions to the letter. The result: mirrors that will stay mounted for a short time only to fall off, hit the console and then cracked the mirror. I now have 2 cracked mirrors that I need to get repaired.




That have you done to mount your mirrors permanently on your glass? What adhesive did you use? Have you run into problems like I have encountered? Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide.

[bezhawk]

I have found the bulk type of adhesive some body shops stock have a shelf life. Only a single use fresh kit works well. Make sure all old adhesive is removed, and the glass, and mirror stem is clean. Use denatured alcohol on both pieces before gluing.

[Avanti Fanatic]

I have always understood that glass shops have a stronger mirror adhesive than consumer based adhesives.Had that same problem with a mirror that fell off several times, and paid a local glass shop a few bucks to adhere it rather than keep trying.Never had any subsequent problems.

[bjackameit]

I have always understood that glass shops have a stronger mirror adhesive than consumer based adhesives.Had that same problem with a mirror that fell off several times, and paid a local glass shop a few bucks to adhere it rather than keep trying.Never had any subsequent problems.

I have had the same experience -- failure with auto store kits even with careful prep -- success when taken to a glass repair shop -- well worth the price to have it done right professionally.

[studegary]

I have remounted windshield mirrors with results that lasted at least for years in all types of weather. I used denatured alcohol to clean the glass. I followed the directions, including leaving a pan of water near the mirror in a closed up car while they "cured".

[skyway]

"including leaving a pan of water near the mirror in a closed up car while they "cured".

Have not heard this one.
Is the idea that humidity aids with the curing?

I'd had good luck with the basic FLAPS kits until it came to the (since sold) 1997 Escort that we inherited from my in-laws.
Must have had to re-glue its mirror 3 or 4 times, even after springing for the more expensive kit.
However, mebbe practice made perfect because my last attempt (with a basic kit)was still stuck when we sold it!

[StudeMann]

"including leaving a pan of water near the mirror in a closed up car while they "cured".

Is the idea that humidity aids with the curing?

My understanding is that polyurethane adhesives cure better with higher humidity. Perhaps that is why the pan of water is suggested.

Jim

[Chris Pile]

Is the idea that humidity aids with the curing?

This is possible. Most super glues cure in the absence of air, and the presence of damp protein... (like your skin). It also helps if both surfaces are slightly acidic.

In my work as a guitar repairman, I found that gently blowing my moist breath across super glue (cyanoacrylate) helps "skin over" the glue when using it as a finish. Once it skins over, the glue will then go off fairly quickly.

[Dick LeRoux]

"In my work as a guitar repairman"

Newone on me, however I guess we always need folks to repair what we break. Did "The Who" ever come calling?

[Chris Pile]

Newone on me, however I guess we always need folks to repair what we break. Did "The Who" ever come calling?

No. But I did a quickie repair on a guitar once for a touring singer.... way back when he was known as "Johnny Cougar".... now known as John Mellencamp.

[Mike Sal]

A long time ago my company installed a loctite application machine to glue the gasket onto the water pumps for Saturn car engines. The loctite rep told us if we ever broke a hose & sprayed glue all over the equipment to take a garden hose & spray the whole thing down with water so that the equipment would be safe to touch without gluing ourselves to it.

The mirror just fell off our Avanti II last week & I was wondering what was the best stuff to use.
Mike Sal

[57pack]

I’m not familiar with the Avanti design, but with brand X cars you can purchase a new replacement foot.
Sometimes nessasary to get the dang things to stick.

[sweetolbob]

Brad may be on to something. It's probably difficult to find a package at a FLAPS that doesn't have some age to it. I had the same issue when I put the mirror on the 74 Avanti. I cleaned the bejessus out of the window and mirror mount and it just fell off a day later.

I finally resorted to Clear Gorilla glue which seems to be holding. Two points, it's important to moisten one side of the surface to be glued and I'm not sure how easy it is to get it off later. As with all Gorilla products I've used, they really work.




Bob

[Mike Sal]

For moving the mount to the "upper windshield position", how far down from the top should it be positioned?
Mike S

[studegary]

For moving the mount to the "upper windshield position", how far down from the top should it be positioned?
Mike S

Studebaker Sales Letter No, F-1964-7, 1/29/64, gives the complete instructions. It states 3.5 inches down from the upper windshield weatherseal.