Windshield rear view mirror sources

[benebob]

I melted the plastic on my rearview mirror trying to remove it from the old glass so I am in need of a new mirror. My glass guy tells me the windshield should have came with a pad anyways to put that mirror back on otherwise it will crack very quickly when you adjust the mirror. He wouldn't even think about putting it back on without this pad.

Anybody know a good source for a suitable mirror for a 280i that would have the needed pad?

[ed_crouch]

You can get mirror fixing kits from your motor factor. usually about £5, and they come with a piece of gauze to hold the adhesive whilst it sets. I used this method for fixing one to a Vixen, and it worked a treat. The key is to warm the screen up with a hair drier first. This is really important. REALLY important. Glass permanently has a monomolecular layer of water stuck to it (its to do with surface energies apparently). About the only way to completely dry the glass is to warm it up gently so its almost hot to the touch. Only touch the glas from the outside or you'll get finger grease on the area youre trying to stick to. Then follow the instructions, and once glued, hold it there for as long as you can bear! And then a bit longer to make sure...

Surface preparation is absolutely key. If you get the surface prep right, it'll stay for years, get it wrong, and it'll fall off more or less immediately.

I reckon mines probably off a Ford Sierra or the like.

[benebob]

No idea what a motor factor is Ed, I'm across the pond. In the US the only ones they sell are a metal button (which my glass guy assures me will crack my glass the first time I use it. As for glue, that isn't an issue, a mirror is.

[ed_crouch]

Its your local car accessory store. I would guess a walk around the wreckers yard may yield the right mirror? The other avenue might be Marshall Moore. He posts on here, I think his Pistonheads tag is "taimar78".

It looks like one off an early 80s Ford. Either a Sierra or a Capri. Sadly, I dont believe either of those cars were sold in USA, so they wont be gracing the scrappies. Actually, bloody hell - you guys got off lightly not being subjected to either of those cars!

[grahamw48]

LOTS of Capris in the States, including 2.8...branded as Mercurys.

[benebob]

It is not off any 80s Ford that I can find via Ebay UK. They are completely different. Only markings are Wingard 1115. Again, the other problem is the windshield (which I did getfrom Marshall) did not come with the mirror pad which my glass guy (who actually has done other 280is believe it or not)insists that it needs in order to mount the mirror. Had the windshield been complete I might have a chance to drive it once my other order comes in but he clean off the glass from the mirror since he couldn't install it and stupid me used just a little too much heat Sadly, without a rear view mirror the car is useless.

I'd like to drive the car at least once this summer. Maybe I should've gotten a Europa instead as I assumed parts would be much easier to source than this!LOL

[80tasmin]

benebob said:

Sadly, without a rear view mirror the car is useless.

I'd like to drive the car at least once this summer.

The rear view mirror on my Tasmin is exactly the same as the one on my 2500M.
It does not have the pad, and I'm sure it's original.
As a temporary measure, you could use a suction cup rear view mirror until a proper one comes along. At least you'd be able to drive the car.

Edited by 80tasmin on Wednesday 8th July 06:15

[Brap_Brap]

F*ck the mirror. Now you have an excuse to say you never saw the flashing lights when the copper was trying to pull you over.

[CoolC]

Your glass guy needs to have a re-think. Any mirror the correct size to fit between the sun visors can be used. Just have a look around the scrap yard for any that you like the look of.

There are two types of mirror fitment, those that are attatched directly to the screen with a double sided tape, and those that have a metal boss adhered to the screen and the mirror fitted to that.

Just make sure that if you choose a mirror that requires a boss, you remove it from the donor. Use a sharp scraper/chisel flat against the glass to knock it off. Your glass guy will (should) have the correct adhesive to stick it onto your screen.

NOTE! Do not use super glue to adhere the boss to the screen!!!!

[rev-erend]

I used silaflex to fix mine to the screen and wedged it there overnight with a piece of wood..

It's still on there .. has been for several years.

[ed_crouch]

I've always used the superglue-like fixer kits from the motor store. The glue is similar to Cyanoacrylate - superglue, and I've fixed a metal mirror stalk to the glass with only a fag-paper-thin gauze between (part of the kit).

I think the button thing is a red herring. I've done it!

[grahamw48]

rev-erend said:

I used silaflex to fix mine to the screen and wedged it there overnight with a piece of wood..

It's still on there .. has been for several years.

Well....didn't like to mention it, but does look a bit odd with that wood sticking up between the seats though.

[benebob]

Again, I talked to now 4 different glass guys all who are quite busy with exotics as I live 15 miles from (and used to work at) the world's largest auto auction. They all say that without the proper pad, the windshield will crack.

Are they lying to me? I highly doubt that well over 75 years of glass experience would be wrong. Maybe the later ones have a different windshield???

Back on topic. Does anybody have a clue what the original mirror came out of, where I can get this original mirror and the proper pad so I don't have another $700 bill.

[grahamw48]

grahamw48 said:

LOTS of Capris in the States, including 2.8...branded as Mercurys.

They do put bigger motors in them too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1QyaW-UKiw&fea...

[80tasmin]

benebob said:

Back on topic. Does anybody have a clue what the original mirror came out of, where I can get this original mirror and the proper pad so I don't have another $700 bill.

The rear view mirror on a 1981 Tasmin. No pad. Pic taken at TVR NORTH AMERICA.
Perhaps you could call them. Or, Marshall could advise.

[benebob]

Yes there is a pad there. It is black, otherwise you'd see the glue on the back side.

[80tasmin]

I have the same mirror on my 1980 Tasmin FHC and on my 1977 2500M. What they might have is a clear, thin plastic coating fixed to the metal mirror bracket that is glued to the windshield. That plastic film would make contact with the glass.
Not trying to dispute what your glass men say, just letting you know what I have.

[ed_crouch]

Yeh I think the button to which they refer does the same job/is the same as the gauze that comes with the kits you get over here.

I think we're violently agreeing over the button/gauze!

[CoolC]

That photo looks like a generic Ford mirror from the 80's/90's

There just held in place with double sided foam tape

[benebob]

80tasmin said:

I have the same mirror on my 1980 Tasmin FHC and on my 1977 2500M. What they might have is a clear, thin plastic coating fixed to the metal mirror bracket that is glued to the windshield. That plastic film would make contact with the glass.
Not trying to dispute what your glass men say, just letting you know what I have.

Yes it is that black film/pad which is missing from this windshield which without it would be solid metal on glass. Will break quickly. That is what I need and a mirror which matches it!