Driver's side mirror headaches...

[Michael R.]

The drivers side mirror on my '69 was starting to get a bit pitted. I replaced it with a date coded one from a Corvette supplier in Sawyer, MI who shall remain nameless. Anyway, the head loosens up constantly, and the base has actually cracked from me having to retighten it all the time. Does any have a good way to remove the glass without removing the reflective coating? I'd like to have my original rechromed, and use the perfect dated coded glass in the repro for it. Barring this, is there a way to remove the glass at all with out breaking it? If need be, I'll buy a new piece for the original. thx, Mike


Mike '69 Corvette Page

[Joe L.]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

Mike----

You can soak the mirror head in an organic solvent like gasoline or MEK. Make sure that you definitely do this SAFELY. I recommend putting the pail in which you immerse the mirror OUT OF DOORS and covering it loosely with aluminum foil. After about a day or so of soaking, you'll be able to easily remove the mirror glass without damage. You can re-cement the miror glass using RTV silicone.

[Todd Robida]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

I've had problems with the reproduction mirror on my '74. The head is a little loose and will move if the door is closed to hard. Also at speeds over 50 the wind sometimes causes it to sag. Does anyone have a suggestion to tighten it? Anti-lubricant?

Thanks

[Michael R.]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

I read an article in one of the Vette mags, and their suggestion was to basically replace the mirror, hence my previous post. If anyone has a better way to tighten it, please feel free..... STE, Mike


Mike '69 Corvette Page

[Michael R.]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

Thks, Joe. What is MEK? I'm not familiar with it.. I was thinking lacquer thinner, but I wasn't sure of the effect on the glass surface. STW, Mike


Mike '69 Corvette Page

[Ol'Geezer]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

A little Loc-Tite should tighten the mirror (perhaps too completely). Set the mirror where you want it, apply the Loc-Tite to the ball-and socket joint, and wait a few days. the mirror should be tight. STW - Geezer


Geezer's Cars

[Michael R.]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

OK, Thanks. Maybe I'll give this a try before I dismantle it. STW, Mike


Mike '69 Corvette Page

[Ol'Geezer]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

Mike -- MEK is methyl ethyl ketone -- a powerful solvent. Of course, you can use almost any strong solvent for this duty -- acetone, MEK, lacquer thinner, gasoline, etc. As Uncle Joe says, keep it safe -- do it outside and don't smoke near the pail.

STW Geezer


Geezer's Cars

[Michael R.]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

Will do. Don't think the neighbors would appreciate me burning down the complex!! STW, Mike


Mike '69 Corvette Page

[Patrick H.]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

Mike,

One of the Corvette monthlys recently had this (CF?), but you basically remove the glass as per Joe L., and then use a punch or similar to "tighten" the bracket onto the ball inside the mirror. A friend just used this on his original-mirror 1970 with great results. He had previously tried Loc-Tite without success.

Patrick Hulst

[Joe L.]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

Patrick-----

The "center punch treatment" for loose mirror head sockets works great. And, it's permanent in the sense that you can still adjust the mirror and have it remain in place. I always hesitate to recommend this to folks, though, since one has to be VERY, VERY careful lest you break the mirror housing. The key to this repair is to use a VERY SHARP center punch and FULLY AND SOLIDLY support the mirror housing before you whack away. About 3 or 4 well-placed "dimples",though, and your mirror will be as good as new.

[Juliet P.]

Used the Punch Trick Too (no glass removal)

I also used the center punch trick. The metal is very soft pot metal. I took the automatic center punch (for metal working) and set it to the softest setting. With the mirror on the car adjsted the way I wanted it I drew a line on the ball with a marker (easily wipes off). Then I removed the mirror from the car. With the mirror off, I turned it as far away from where my "ususal driving position" is and made 3 punches on the ball in the farthest away location (as deep as I could pivot the top). It's been about 4 months and is still holding pretty well. I only made slight dimples since I was warned about breaking through. ~Juliet


Juliet's 1970 Corvette

[Michael R.]

Re: Used the Punch Trick Too (no glass removal)

Geez, too bad you're not closer to Tampa...Me and my 'Tim Taylor' overkill tendencies, I'll probably wind splitting the stupid thing in half. STW, Mike Nice car, BTW.


Mike's '69 Corvette Page

[Thomas Svisco]

Re: Used the Punch Trick Too (no glass removal)

Mike:

My message from last night appears not to have posted. A friend of mine said he placed a drop or two of Crazy Glue (any of the super-type glues should work) on the ball of his interior mirror and worked it around until the glue hardened. According to him, you continuously move the mirror around to prevent it from sticking in one place, and you should feel it resist movement. I haven't tried this, but he claims success. I'd try it before replacing the mirror or taking a punch to it.

Tom

[Joe Ciaravino]

Re: Driver's side mirror headaches...

Mike:

MEK is Methyl-Ethyl Ketone, and is similar to acetone. It will attack the adhesive and will not affect the glass surface.

Joe