Open Road

So I go out to the car today and I see the interior mirror laying in the center console. Fell right off the windshield in the Florida heat. So the obvious first question, what is the current thinking on gluing it back on. I ask because the vent window handle on my Dino fell off the same way thirty years ago and I never got to to stay on for long even though I was using the glass adhesive sold for the purpose. What works best these days? This?


That leads to the second question. Is there a better modern replacement mirror, either aftermarket or from another car? I've seen chatter on TOS about replacements but nothing current. Anyone have any recent experience with a better mirror? Thanks.

jschiller wrote: ↑Sun Jul 07, 2024 10:14 pm So I go out to the car today and I see the interior mirror laying in the center console. Fell right off the windshield in the Florida heat. So the obvious first question, what is the current thinking on gluing it back on. I ask because the vent window handle on my Dino fell off the same way thirty years ago and I never got to to stay on for long even though I was using the glass adhesive sold for the purpose. What works best these days? This?


That leads to the second question. Is there a better modern replacement mirror, either aftermarket or from another car? I've seen chatter on TOS about replacements but nothing current. Anyone have any recent experience with a better mirror? Thanks.

I had the same issue years ago on a VW Rabbit with one of those side vent windows. The latch kept coming off no matter what adhesive I used. Have no idea how they attached it at the factory because nothing aftermarket worked for me.

Mirrors though seem to fare better since they don't really have any stress or external force on them. But others with issues more recently can probably offer better insight.

I'm fairly sure that I used the same Permatex kit that you linked, after the stock mirror button popped off of the windshield on my 928.

That said, I converted to a GM style button and an auto dimming mirror with homelink that was bought used from eBay (because my Porsche mirror had crazing in the reflective later, and looked like veined marble behind the glass...)

I also used the same Permatex kit for my inside mirror.

My original mirror came off the windshield, but I replaced the button to accommodate a Gentex mirror with Homelink, a map light, and autodimming. The one I chose ended up coming from a '96 Chrysler Sebring.

Thanks for the info John. That's just what I was looking for.

Does it have a compass heading?

I didn't particularly want a compass , but some of the Gentex mirrors do have that feature. What I did is a search for a windshield mounted rear view mirror with the home link, auto dim and map light features. You should be able to search adding the compass feature to find what you desire in a rear view mirror.

For the visual oriented, I made a video showing the job.

Excellent! Just one question...how long has the mirror been up there since you videoed the install? Mine usually lasts less than a month when I do it.

I installed it in Sept of 2022. No issues so far. As seen in video I took care to clean the windshield glass and the mounting surface, such that it was free of residue. Also, if I recall correctly there was a metal burr on the mount that I flattened to ensure a flat surface to flat surface adhesion. I used 3M adhesive.

Mine has been mounted since 2020 or 2021, for another data point. (I can't remember exactly when that repair was done...)

I've used this quick set industrial adhesive. It pretty much locks the mirror in about 15 seconds. https://www.amazon.com/Bob-Smith-Indust ... t_ba_s_3_t

This is your big opportunity to upgrade your inside mirror.

I replaced my original mirror(after the original mirror fell off) with a mirror from a Chrysler Sebring that has an auto-dimming feature, a home link system (which allowed me to get rid of sun visor attached garage opener control), and a map light that lights the dark areas of the lower dash areas and the dark floor area that you can never see what you have dropped down there.

Some of the replacement mirrors have outside temp displays, compass displays, and camera displays. I chose not to deal with the additional wiring required for those options, but they are available.

The mirror I chose is just slightly larger than stock, but that fact allows for a wider view of traffic around you.

It will be necessary to change the "button" that you glue to the windshield, but it is the perfect time to make that change if you desire a different mirror.

Good Luck

its getting harder to find the mirrors with the map lights since people don't use maps anymore and most cars have nav systems. I have one of the older map light mirrors and would like to find one with a map light and garage door opener but can't seem to find that combination.