Changing a Car’s Rear View Mirror - By: Tauqeer Hassan

If during driving, your car’s rear view mirror mysteriously falls or breaks, then you are without a mirror and you will not be able to see the rear. It is dangerous to driving without a rearview mirror and one may end up paying a fine if stopped by the police. However, there is no need to worry because attaching a rearview mirror is not really hassle.

This simple and easy guide will help you to replace a rear view mirror on a vehicle. Follow the directions to go DIY.

Tools Needed
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
- Washable marker
- Flat-headed scraper
- Strong adhesive tape
- Mirror glue

Directions
Before replacing the rear view mirror, be sure that the weather is dry. Working in a shady area away from sunlight is preferable. Strong sunlight can harmfully affect the adhesive. The fumes from the adhesive used can be overwhelming that’s why safety is important. Make sure that the area you are working in is ventilated well, the car doors should be open and the windows should be rolled down.

Use a washable marker to mark the position of the first mirror on the outside of the windshield. This will provide a correct guide when the mirror is reattached. Use a flat-headed scraper for scraping off the old and dried adhesive on the inner side of the windshield. The stubborn remains can be forced to give up by rubbing alcohol and applying heat. Alcohol also serves as a cleaning agent for glass and removes dirt and oily fingerprint residues.

Clean any dried particles of adhesive from the attachment point of the mirror. However before it is done, the mirror has to be detached from its attachment button using a wrench or a screwdriver. The button has to be marked to help you know which end faces in upward direction. The button on the face where the adhesive will be applied should not be marked because it will be scraped off when the old adhesive is cleaned. Now the old adhesive can be scraped off and the surface can be wiped with alcohol just like it was done with the windshield. For removing the adhesive, use a sandpaper which will also make the surface clean.

Now apply adhesive to the button and make sure that it is placed right side up before it is pressed on to the glass. Use light pressure to hold the button in place and press for a minute to take hold. Then, the reattached button has to be left for a couple of hours or possibly overnight so that the adhesive will get fully cured before the mirror is finally reattached for good.

Tips and Precautions
- Before starting, make sure that there is no moisture on the glass where the rearview mirror will be attached.
- Use rubbing alcohol for removing glue from both the windshield and the button.

About the Author

You might also want to learn how to replace your car’s rear view mirror and also how to replace a car side mirror.

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