'64 Inside Rear View Mirror restore

[David D.]

I would like to disassemble my 1964 ISRV mirror to have the housing re-chromed.

How do I get the mirror glass out without damaging it? I searched for other posts, and it was indicated that the glue was a hard, gray substance.

If I do get the glass out, is there a reliable method to remove and reinstall the ball stud so that I can have the housing re-chromed?

Thanks!

[David D.]

Re: '64 Inside Rear View Mirror restore

Hi all.

I did not receive any replies to the original posting from a few months ago, so I am re-submitting in the event anyone can assist with this question.

Thanks.

[Joe R.]

Re: '64 Inside Rear View Mirror restore

David,

Yes, it can be done and has been done by several members but the easiest is just order a repo.

Don't do that cause if you do you will be producing another repo-mobile, Corvette style. I think you know that already.

Go ahead and break the glass cause it's probably the only way to remove it. Anythings that will dissolve the glue holding the glass will destroy the ability of the glass to reflect the image. Order a new class from Paragon and record the date on the glass before you destroy it.

When the glass is removed there will be a piece of spring steel holding the ball in the mirror. It is held by two studs that are part of the pot metal housing. Use a Dremel tool and carefully grind away the stud until the spring steel is free.

Now before you get it chromed drill and tap the two studs and fit the spring steel back in the mirror housing using two small screws and washers. Remove the two screws, washers, spring steel and ball stud.

Send it to the chrome shop of your choice and when it returns simply replace the ball stud, glue in the glass and your ready for action. And I might add, very proud of the finished product. An original restored!

JR

[Gary B.]

'64 Interior Rear View Mirror; what's inside

David,

Here are a couple of photos that show the inside of the 63/64 interior mirror that is described nicely by Joe. The overall view show 3 of the 4 pads where the glue is applied that holds on the mirrored glass. The right hand lower corner still has a bit of the mirrored glass with the date "7-DMI-3:, for July of 1963, I presume. The close-up image shows the spring steel piece that keeps pressure on the ball stud.

This particular mirror was given to me by someone who didn't want to go to the trouble to restore it. The backside of this example has some rust bumps in the chrome over a 2" x 2" area toward one end. It is restorable in the hands of the right person. If anyone wants this mirror either for their research or to restore it I'd love to donate it to them for the cost of postage. If I don't hear from anyone with a few days, I'll toss it.

Send me e-mail if interested in the mirror.

Thanks,

Gary Beaupre
Northern California Chapter
garybeaupre@comcast.net

[David D.]

Re: '64 Inside Rear View Mirror restore

Thanks for the responses, Joe and Gary. I guess I will have to break my original, dated mirror glass to get it out of the housing.

I already have a reproduction mirror assembly, but it has a thicker cross-section than my original one, which is why I would like to restore my original.

Dave