How to Replace and Repair a crack or broken Car or Truck Mirror Glass

Go to
www.auto-glass.com/carmirror.htm
Or you can always call us at 845-496-2500
Now how do you remove that old mirror to get the new one in. Well, you first must breakdown the mirror from the frame. One simple way to do this is to get a flat strong instrument like a wide screw driver, putty knife or scraper. Not many of you have the scraper, but when you go to our order form page we could sell you one. Its a nice thing to have around your toolbox. Now to loosen the adhesive from the plate you must apply some heat. Ideally a propane torch is good, but if you have the wife's hairdryer or a heat gun that will also work. Heat up the mirror enough so that the adhesive behind the mirror loosens from it bond to the frame. This will make it easier to remove the broken glass using the putty knife, or the scraper under the mirror and pull all the broken pieces off the frame. Make sure you are wearing gloves and protective eyewear, oh, and its also a smart idea to put a small garbage bucket under the housing you are working on, so that the glass falls into the bucket and not on the ground. After the side view mirror glass is removed, make sure all the mirror and adhesive is clean off the framed plate.
Once you have removed your side view mirror from the frame, you now need to apply the glue to the black frame. First thing to do is clean the frame with a non ammonia based cleaner so read you widow cleaner. Apply the glue outward so it extends past the lip of the frame. I call this the snow cone effect. Glue it in 5 spots. One in the middle and 4 corners 1 inch from the frame edge so it will not ooze out of the frame, making a mess. If by chance this does happen do not try to clean the silicone off and let it dry as it is very difficult to clean off when smeared on any glass surface. If you order the silicone from us or have purchased a tube, cut a 3/8 inch diameter from the tip. Use Large dabs of the adhesive 3/8" inch wide by 1/2" outwards. Remember you are not installing a windshield that requires a strong adhesive although a non latex silicone has a psi of 195. Once you have adhered the mirror to the frame, get some easily removable tape, like masking tape or blue painters tape. Tape the mirror around the mirror housing so that the mirror will not slide off the frame. The drying time is normally 4 hours at 65 degrees and a little longer at 32 degrees. So we suggest you keep the tape on for 24 hours for cold climates and 4 hours in warmer area until the glue dries.

[@Floridaboiler]

I just wanted to say thanks for this video. I didn't have a propane torch but I used a hair dryer as you recommended and the old mirror came off in less than 5 minutes! Thanks again!

[@Myvintageiron7512]

I have been doing this for 20 years with heat you are the only one I have ever seen do this correctly on you tube great job

[@texron1000]

Great video. I learned a lot. I have an electric heat gun that I would use instead of a torch. I use it to resize and install new tennis racquet grips every once in awhile. Thanks again for sharing the video.

[@franciscosoto2007]

Thank You Bruce Willis,nice to see you are keeping busy making handy videos.

[@dojifly]

Hey my friend, I wanted to give an update on how the mirror is doing I purchased from you. It is great thank you. However, now my mirror on the drivers side has an issue, not sure what caused it but I am going to order the drivers side this time. Awesome product great service. It was easy install following your instructions. Many thanks! Peace.

[@vladimir0700]

I just watched a video of this procedure on another channel where the guy didn’t heat the glass--that’s the way I DON’T want to do it, broke into a million tiny fragments!

[@GeorgeSA5]

Thanks. Just the info needed. Heating to loosen the old glue is quite a neat trick :)

[@mRtUnBabY]

Thanks and Recommended for all

[@robinarcus6705]

Thanks for your fabulous instructions. I used my hairdryer and slowly peeled off the old mirror. I recommend wearing gloves and goggles. My replacement glass kit from the auto parts store included two peel and stick adhesives so I didn't have to buy silicone glue. I hope I don't regret it. I have blue painters tape on my side view mirror overnight, just for insurance.

[@tealolo8628]

Thanks so much , this saved me a lot of time .

[@rockytherock8705]

Thanks for showing us vid. Ya I was b as backing up in between my shop and a tree and yep the tree cut off branch got my mirror. So I got a nee replacement mirror and looked on you tube and saw your vid

[@TeamJCWhitney]

Informative video! Not everyone knows that a heat torch can be used to replace your broken side mirror. Glad that you shared this idea. We could also use protective glasses and gloves next time for safety.

[@amiranuru6701]

Thank you Ray very helpful info

[@markfreeman408]

Pretty cool!

[@jasmom67]

thank you for sharing this valuable information...

[@dannylaurenzana1]

very cool ray. thanks I like the mellow yellow part too.

[@markfreeman408]

Amazing!

[@fdlb99]

Good video especially torch application

[@michaelf5565]

Thanks , good tips.

[@lanma7849]

very good , i m the convex rear view mirror factory from CHINA , we are in same field