DeLorean Cracked Windshield

[outatym2001]

Here are two pictures I personally took of cracked windshields.
The first picture is my DeLorean way back in 2003. The second picture of someone elses DeLorean I took on June 06, 2011.
Do not glue the mirror onto the DeLorean windshield!
Ahem… DO NOT GLUE THE MIRROR ONTO THE DELOREAN WINDSHIELD!
Use the double sided sticky pad sold by your favorite DeLorean parts vendors.
Part number 111976. Pad, Interior Rear View Mirror.
It’s unfortunate that this pad is not illustrated on page 8/6/0 of the Parts Manual or else people would know that it is a stock item and is available.

[sdg3205]

+1

glue = $1000 repair.

[outatym2001]

Aye! I just remembered this pdf file of the Mirror Patch for the rear view mirror.
The pdf file says DeLorean Motor Center. They are now known as
http://www.dmccalifornia.com

[1batt4u]

Why would just glueing it make the windshield crack?? All other cars have that piece glued on, I've never seen any cracks. I've personally glued those on in the past, on other cars, and no problems.

[outatym2001]

Why would just glueing it make the windshield crack?? All other cars have that piece glued on, I've never seen any cracks. I've personally glued those on in the past, on other cars, and no problems.

In this case it’s the size that matters. The surface area of the portion that attaches to the wind shield is 1-5/8” by 1” (4.1 cm by 2.5 cm).
Due to the large area it does not allow the surface of the inside sheet of glass to expand and contract thus causing stress which leads to a crack.

Maybe someone from the U.K. or Europe can add their opinion. I heard that other cars in Europe use a double sided sticky pad instead of gluing the mirror to the wind shield.

[content22207]

When I bought #5939, it came with an aftermarket rear view mirror and standard metal button glued to the windshield. I drove it like that 2002-2010, including below freezing temperatures, no problem.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Farrar]

When Sparky's rear view mirror fell off, I re-attached it with 3M emblem tape. Two summers later, no cracks.

Farrar

[GS450-Junkie]

you should be able to remove a glued on mirror with a heat gun, a razor blade, and a little prying. Just don't pull on it too hard.

Then when it's off, replace with the sticky pad to mount the mirror. Best $8 you'll ever spend.

[Some guy]

Thank you for posting this, i was just about to glue an after market mirror to the glass

[jfirios]

i was wondering how to take that little rear view mirror off when I was doing the front window tint. I just ended up cutting the tint around the rearview. You can use a heat gun to loosen it up?

[outatym2001]

Thank you for posting this, i was just about to glue an after market mirror to the glass

You're welcome, Some guy. Please remember in your case I hope the aftermarket mirror is not too heavy for the double sided sticky pad.
If the contact surface area on your mirror is large then that's going to help to hold on to the windshield for a long time.
Also, on a warm day like 70 F clean the contact surfaces with alcohol and wipe until dry and stick the mirror in place firmly.
Congratulations on "Living The Dream". Welcome to my eleven year nightmare. LOL! j/k


i was wondering how to take that little rear view mirror off when I was doing the front window tint. I just ended up cutting the tint around the rearview. You can use a heat gun to loosen it up?

To loosen the adhesive on a decal (or double sticky pad) I would recommend a Heat Gun and a stiff plastic scraper but that is only if it's on some kind of metal. I have no idea about using a Heat Gun on a perfectly good wind shield. Maybe some one else can offer some advice.

[DrWin]

How would one remove the black square from the windshield that is under the double sided adhesive, that is, the one that sticks directly to the windshield? My car doesn't have a rearview mirror attached to the windshield, but the small black square (of paint?) still remains, and is pretty scratched. I'd much prefer to have the windshield without the rearview mirror, so I'd rather just remove all trace of it. Does anyone know how to do that?

[David T]

To remove the paint you would use some Bronze Wool and some Windex. You really should have a rear view mirror though. The side mirrors don't do a whole lot. if you put the mirror back the adhesive pad will hide the scratches or you can spray some paint on it. You really don't even need the paint, it was so they knew where the mirror was supposed to be located.

[DrWin]

To remove the paint you would use some Bronze Wool and some Windex. You really should have a rear view mirror though. The side mirrors don't do a whole lot. if you put the mirror back the adhesive pad will hide the scratches or you can spray some paint on it. You really don't even need the paint, it was so they knew where the mirror was supposed to be located.

Thanks for the reply. :thankyou: I appreciate the info and the constructive criticism. I'm pretty used to driving w/o a rearview mirror from my time in the military, where I drove APC and trucks with no rearview at all, but I guess you are right, in some sense. It's propably better to have a rearview mirror and not need it, than need it and not have it. Since you know that it is paint, do you also know what type it is? I have scratches that needs repair before the windshield can go back on.

I'm still wondering what goes on under the paint, though. The glass feels ruffled/pitted in the areas where the paint is missing. Perhaps I could remove all of the paint with the bronze wool that you suggested and put a new rearview mirror on w/o a black patch of paint on the windshield. If the glass is smooth under there, that is. You don't know anything about the condition of the glass prior to painting, I assume?

Thanks again!

[David T]

Should be smooth under the paint. Flat black spray paint. On trucks you have to learn how to drive using the side mirrors only but they are usually very large and you don't back up much. I say as long as you can use it you should have it, not that it does a lot on a Delorean but it is something. Many drivers also will stick a round convex mirror on the side mirrors to try to improve visibility. I don't like it so much on the driver's mirror, I like it on the passenger mirror more. Personal preference. Some owners have installed back-up cameras too.