Rearview mirror fell off and... (auto, chip, sell, cost)

[DubbleT]

I got my trusty razor blade out and scraped and scraped and haven't made a scratch in the old glue. Is it ok to just glue the button back on over the old glue since the old glue refuses to come off?
Or is there some kind of solvent that will take it off?
Am I better off using the rearview mirror glue they sell at the auto store or using epoxy? I'm getting conflicting opinions from the people around me.

[MustangEater82]

Rearview mirror glue has worked fine, just follow directions.

I doubt a solvent will help much, its kind of dry and hard. Maybe try a little WD40. Or just alcohol.

[M3 Mitch]

The instructions in the kit do say to remove the old glue. I did this job recently and using a razor blade in a holder/knife gadget, it did take some work but the glue did come off.

I think the glue is catalytically hardened so a solvent probably won't do anything. A good auto body supply should have whatever tool or solvent you need to get the stuff off.

At the end of the day, if you glue the puck back on over the old glue and it falls back off, you are not out all that much time or money...if you can't get the glue off it might be worthwhile to lightly scuff it with some say 400 grit sandpaper (watch that you don't scratch the glass itself)

[DubbleT]

Not so much worried about the money, but the mirror suddenly swinging at me sort of startled the bejeezuz out of me while driving. Rather not have repeat episode.
Guess I'll try the sandpaper to rough up the surface a bit since the razor isn't making a dent at all. Auto body shop as a last resort (seems like such a trivial thing to go for ) if I can't get it to stick.

Thanks guys.

[M3 Mitch]

Not body shop, body shop *supply* - a place that sells all the paint, primer, filler, adhesives, etc. that a body shop uses.

If you have time, leave the car out in the sun and then attack the remaining adhesive (while it's warm)

Any good hardware store should sell single-edge razor blade based scrapers. That's what I used. Depending on your hand strength you may or may not be able to do much with just the blade itself held in your fingers (which ain't a good idea anyway, from a safety standpoint)

Permatex makes most of these adhesives, maybe look at their web site for tips on getting the old adhesive off?

[North Beach Person]

Maybe try nail polish remover? I have. Put some on a paper towel/rag and hold on the old glue for a bit. Should soften it up to scrape. Might have to do it a couple times in layers.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Not body shop, body shop *supply* - a place that sells all the paint, primer, filler, adhesives, etc. that a body shop uses.

If you have time, leave the car out in the sun and then attack the remaining adhesive (while it's warm)

Any good hardware store should sell single-edge razor blade based scrapers. That's what I used. Depending on your hand strength you may or may not be able to do much with just the blade itself held in your fingers (which ain't a good idea anyway, from a safety standpoint)

Permatex makes most of these adhesives, maybe look at their web site for tips on getting the old adhesive off?

Oh, sorry, misunderstood. Supply shop, got it. Yeah I've got the metal safety holder for the blade, use it at work, useless on the glue, that stuff is solid and I can't even get a chip out of it!
Good idea about the website, off to look.

[MustangEater82]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Maybe try nail polish remover? I have. Put some on a paper towel/rag and hold on the old glue for a bit. Should soften it up to scrape. Might have to do it a couple times in layers.

Its bascially acetone.

[Drover]

Take it to an auto glass shop and let them take care of removing the old adhesive and re-mounting the mirror. Total cost should be in the $10-15 range.

[Wilson513]

The old glue is no mystery. You just need a better scraper. One with a handle and a brand new blade. there is no magic glue that doesn't come off of window glass. Just try harder. If you are afraid to really push the scraper (don't be) and end up gluing over the old glue, use duck tape. Just kidding, it would be about as poor a repair.

But just don't try to use the isocyanate glue in the kit. Put a little dab of two part epoxy on it.

I am not suggesting this makeshift plan. You don't need it. The old glue will come off.