Side mirror install

[Bitsyncmaster]

This is how I did my new side mirror. The old one fell off when I shut the door a few weeks ago. I went with the convex mirrors even though the cost is quite high.

I used Great Planes foam tape used for securing RC servos.

Make sure you install the mirror on the wide angle side, they will install as a magnifier.

[Delorean Industries]

This is how I did my new side mirror. The old one fell off when I shut the door a few weeks ago. I went with the convex mirrors even though the cost is quite high.

I used Great Planes foam tape used for securing RC servos.

Make sure you install the mirror on the wide angle side, they will install as a magnifier.

I made that mistake once and felt rather dumb about it. How thick is the foam tape?

[Tillsy]

I made that mistake once and felt rather dumb about it. How thick is the foam tape?

I just made that expensive mistake two days ago :rant:

Damn things have no instructions nor sticky already on them, so presumed the glass faces outward (otherwise why bother with glass, my other cars the mirror is plastic).

[Delorean Industries]

I use 3m double sided tape and it doesn't give up easily....

[MML]

I got those same curved mirrors, they do a fantastic job. When I stuck them on I used a similar kind of tape, but I covered the whole back plate just to be on the safe side.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The foam tape is 1/32" inch thick. I really trust this tape from experience. Once it sets up for a few days you can not remove the foam. Maybe the 3 M tape is just as good. I used another foam tape on my door mercury switches and they fell off. I then used this "servo" tape and have not had any problems since.

The mirrors are not flat glass so I did not think putting the tape in the center would help.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Pulled the driver side off. One of the square slide pins was stuck. Turns out when the mirror was assembled they ran the wire behind the mounting screw and the wire was binding on the slide pin.

[MML]

The mirrors are not flat glass so I did not think putting the tape in the center would help.


I was concerned about the amount of contact surface when it came to sticking them on, but I found the backing plates have plenty of flex to them; you can press the glass into the middle and the outer edges just flex to suit. I was worried they'd fall off cruising down the road :-)

[Tillsy]

I was concerned about the amount of contact surface when it came to sticking them on, but I found the backing plates have plenty of flex to them; you can press the glass into the middle and the outer edges just flex to suit. I was worried they'd fall off cruising down the road :-)

I've now redone my mirrors (after the above disaster of sticking them on backwards) and likewise applied the tape across the entire surface...

[Dangermouse]

Make sure you install the mirror on the wide angle side, they will install as a magnifier.


I just made that expensive mistake two days ago :rant:

Damn things have no instructions nor sticky already on them, so presumed the glass faces outward (otherwise why bother with glass, my other cars the mirror is plastic).

Can you guys explain this some more? Does the mirror not have a backing?

maybe it is obvious when they are in your hand, but I would have expected glass at the front and some sort of mirror backing on the back.

[Tillsy]

Can you guys explain this some more? Does the mirror not have a backing?

maybe it is obvious when they are in your hand, but I would have expected glass at the front and some sort of mirror backing on the back.

They arrive as nothing more than two pieces of glass, one side of which has the reflective surface on it. There is no moulded backing - you must stick it to the backing that is inside the mirror housing (it is screwed in the centre, so no way to get at it with a mirror already on it). There is no sticky pad attached nor is one included. There is no label nor instructions.

You've made the same incorrect assumption as Josh and myself - the glass is NOT the front. This is contrary to every mirror I've ever seen or have - you actually stick the glass surface inward (so it may as well not be glass, indeed on my other cars it is plastic).

[Dangermouse]

So, if the reflective surface is on the outside, is it not susceptible to scratches etc?

[Tillsy]

So, if the reflective surface is on the outside, is it not susceptible to scratches etc?

My other cars with their plastic mirrors obviously have their reflective surface on the outside, and yes after years of washing they do get minor scratching all over.

These convex model mirrors though, by their very nature obviously, have a very minor curve to them - so by sticking them on backwards you end up with a totally distorted image. Unfortunately you don't know at the time as up close it looks fine, but once stuck on and looking at distant objects you see nothing but a blur. Given I glued them (recommendation given to me by several auto shops) the first time and didn't look at them from inside the car until they were dry I ended up with a mess that took me a week to fix (this time reapplied using tape, per my pictured, from a hardware store).

Disappointingly the vendor I purchased through insists I am the only one to have, and ever will, think they face that way so nothing is being done about it. I'm having to write to DMCH myself to ask them to include a small note with them warning which way to face (even the DMC logo on it looks fine when looked at inverted!) - or better yet, include a sticky backing on them so all you do is unpeel and stick on!

[DMC5180]

You've made the same incorrect assumption as Josh and myself - the glass is NOT the front. This is contrary to every mirror I've ever seen or have - you actually stick the glass surface inward (so it may as well not be glass, indeed on my other cars it is plastic).

I have to agree here too. This is the first time I have seen the reflective surface on the outside side of the glass. I've seen cheap stick-on spot mirrors made this way, but not the whole glass. I questioned it myself when I did my side mirror glass (passenger side for now). One of these winter days I'll get to the other one.

[Bitsyncmaster]

One reason that may be good with the metalized plating on the outside is it wont react to your glue on the tape you use to mount it.