TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Oct 19, 2021 4:16 pm

I think this is a somewhat common problem. At least I've seen a few EVs with it. I have tried to reinstall it with now two failed attempts. It looks like the previous owner had a couple of failed attempts as well. I was able to find a great video by a guy named Joe Pelayo on youtube. I bought the exact same product, Permatex Extreme rearview mirror adhesive. Followed the instructions and mimic'd exactly what he did. The results were completely different. In his video, the rearview mirror sticks to the glass within seconds and within an hour, he has it reattached. In my attempt, the Permatex never set even after a few minutes of holding it. I don't know if I got a bad batch or what. I cleaned the window and the button, applied the applicator to the glass and the button, added the adhesive exactly as it showed in the video and nada. Here is Pelayo's video for reference. I'm not sure if he is a member here. So of course the question is, has anyone successfully reattached the rearview mirror and if so, what method/product did they use?

Thanks,

Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:34 am

I successfully reattached the button to the windshield. I forget what I used, but it was just off the shelf at the local auto parts store. Likely permatex. As expected, I needed to clean the surfaces really well. I recall holding it all to the glass for a minute or two, and it stuck fine. Then I left it overnight before try to test it with van vibrations. I attached the button with the mirror attached as well, since I couldn’t separate them. I ended up replacing the glass a year later and it was still stuck on very well.

Wed Oct 20, 2021 8:10 pm

Joshwa wrote: I successfully reattached the button to the windshield. I forget what I used, but it was just off the shelf at the local auto parts store. Likely permatex. As expected, I needed to clean the surfaces really well. I recall holding it all to the glass for a minute or two, and it stuck fine. Then I left it overnight before try to test it with van vibrations. I attached the button with the mirror attached as well, since I couldn’t separate them. I ended up replacing the glass a year later and it was still stuck on very well.

Thanks, one thing I thought about is that the install temp had a max temp of 75 degrees. I’m in Central FL so it was probably low 80s.

Fri Apr 29, 2022 11:01 am

I wanted to update my thread. I finally got the rearview mirror installed on what I think was my fifth try. I tried two times with the Permatex that I bought, I then bought the JB Weld rearview mirror kit and still didn't have any luck. A couple of days ago, I was with my wife in Michael's craft store. I just happened to see that JB Weld had a product called Superweld Extreme. It worked on metal and glass so I figured that maybe it would do the job. After cleaning the glass, I installed the button. Within a few seconds, it was already starting to hold. It said to hold for a minute but I went about a minute and a half to two minutes. At that point, it seemed like it was on there. The instructions then said to wait 24 hours before it was fully set. I waited the 24 hours and installed the rearview mirror. It snapped on and the button didn't budge. My only concern now is whether there is an overall max temp before the glue melts. I'm in Central FL and about to enter summer. I guess if it's still holding by September then it did its job.

Fri Apr 29, 2022 12:46 pm

For anybody else who stumble across this thread, save yourself the headache and get Loctite 312 with 736 primer. If you've ever had a windshield replaced, this is likely what the installer used to reattach your rearview mirror.

Thu Apr 18, 2024 12:46 pm

Has anyone had trouble with the button having play inside the mirror? When this happened to me 5 years ago, whatever I did created a bit of wobble. The mirror just fell off again with the button attached, so I was hoping to eliminate the wobble if possible.

thanks in advance and appreciate the primer/loctite numbers, just ordered them.

Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:14 pm

menko wrote: Has anyone had trouble with the button having play inside the mirror? When this happened to me 5 years ago, whatever I did created a bit of wobble. The mirror just fell off again with the button attached, so I was hoping to eliminate the wobble if possible.

thanks in advance and appreciate the primer/loctite numbers, just ordered them.

You can remove the mirror from the button and bend the springs to create more tension. Be very careful if you do this, it's easy to break the spring, and those mirrors are a bit hard to source now.

Alternately, you can wedge a small spacer under the edge of the mirror to take up the slack. A whittled down popsicle stick or the like is probably a good bet.