Rear view mirror windshield glue recommendation?

The mirror on my wife's Cherokee has fallen off, so I either need to take it to an auto glass place to get the mirror reglued or do it myself.

Anybody got a recommendation for the 'proper' glue to do this or should I just go see the local glass place?

The most expensive/extreme version from the parts store. The cheaper/weaker versions never hold for me even doing the same level of prep for both.

Ranger50 wrote: The most expensive/extreme version from the parts store. The cheaper/weaker versions never hold for me even doing the same level of prep for both.

This exactly. When done correctly there will be no issue. Use a razor to clean, then a good alcohol that doesn't leave a residue. Don't overdo it or you'll have a glue drip on your windshield forever.

I did my GC using the most expensive stuff at NAPA. It worked great and is still there.

So, is this a problem with XJs? For serious, the rearview in my XJ keeps falling off. Maybe I need to pony up for some of the expensive stuff.

i got tired of "glue" never setting.

I used 2-part epoxy after the 3rd time it fell. never fell again.

I had to relocate the hook on the 914. NAPA seels the stuff, works great. DO NOT attempt to remove the old one, it'll break the windshield.

Dan

Also make sure you don't put the tab on backwards.

I bought a Permatex "Rearview Mirror Adhesive Kit" when the mirror fell off my Elan when I'd first gotten it. Three years later dealing with the kind of weather protection only a British roadster can offer, and the kind of horrible cobblestone streets only small-town Germany can offer, and it's still stuck on fast. The kit came with a scraping razor and the right kinds of scouring/cleaning pads too. Here it is for six bucks.

Wally wrote: Also make sure you don't put the tab on backwards.

I hesitate to ask how you would know...

Jay wrote: I bought a Permatex "Rearview Mirror Adhesive Kit" when the mirror fell off my Elan when I'd first gotten it. Three years later dealing with the kind of weather protection only a British roadster can offer, and the kind of horrible cobblestone streets only small-town Germany can offer, and it's still stuck on fast. The kit came with a scraping razor and the right kinds of scouring/cleaning pads too. Here it is for six bucks.

NAPA lists this kit too, that's the one I'll try to get on the weekend then.

One side should have two little tabs hanging off the long sides that fit inside the mirror, don't glue that side to the glass.

I used a grease pencil on the outside to trace the outline of the tab.

I used the kit we had in the shop when one fell off the delivery truck I was using. I think it was that permatex kit. Good Prep is key.

914Driver wrote: I had to relocate the hook on the 914. NAPA seels the stuff, works great. DO NOT attempt to remove the old one, it'll break the windshield.

Cigarette lighter or one of those long butane match things on the outside to the glass. Heat it for 45-60 seconds and pop the shoe off the inside with a pair of slipjoint pliers. Job done.

JFX001 wrote: I used a grease pencil on the outside to trace the outline of the tab.

why? just put the glue on the tab.

tuna55 wrote:

JFX001 wrote: I used a grease pencil on the outside to trace the outline of the tab.

why? just put the glue on the tab.

It's not to limit where the glue goes, it's to make sure the tab goes in the same spot. At least that's why I did it.

keethrax wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

JFX001 wrote: I used a grease pencil on the outside to trace the outline of the tab.

why? just put the glue on the tab.

It's not to limit where the glue goes, it's to make sure the tab goes in the same spot. At least that's why I did it.

But you have a double ball jointed stick attached to the mirror, you could be off by five inches and still get the mirror in the right place.

tuna55 wrote: But you have a double ball jointed stick attached to the mirror, you could be off by five inches and still get the mirror in the right place.

Yes, but if you get it back in the right place, it looks like you might actually know what you're doing.

tuna55 wrote: But you have a double ball jointed stick attached to the mirror, you could be off by five inches and still get the mirror in the right place.

Getting it in the right spot adds essentially zero cost and less than a minute to the process. Why wouldn't you get it right if it was that easy? Even if the range of adjustment can cover for you.

tuna55 wrote:

keethrax wrote:

tuna55 wrote:

JFX001 wrote: I used a grease pencil on the outside to trace the outline of the tab.

why? just put the glue on the tab.

It's not to limit where the glue goes, it's to make sure the tab goes in the same spot. At least that's why I did it.

But you have a double ball jointed stick attached to the mirror, you could be off by five inches and still get the mirror in the right place.

Yes, I just outlined the tab residue on the outside of the windshield, because when you prep the inside it disappears.Just for a reference point.

tuna55 wrote: But you have a double ball jointed stick attached to the mirror, you could be off by five inches and still get the mirror in the right place.

You must be the PO that wired the stereo that came in my E30, and designed the throttle linkage (I'm using that term loosely) that had been "installed" on the Spitfire.

Tom Suddard wrote:

tuna55 wrote: But you have a double ball jointed stick attached to the mirror, you could be off by five inches and still get the mirror in the right place.

You must be the PO that wired the stereo that came in my E30, and designed the throttle linkage (I'm using that term loosely) that had been "installed" on the Spitfire.

hey now - come on. Sticking a mirror thingie on in the right place hardly has any practical effect, even if it was measurably off, which I doubt any of them I have done were.

Plus, I am pretty sure that every time I had put one on it was because THERE WAS NOT A MIRROR THERE - otherwise why would I glue a new one on?