Side View Mirrors... help?

[Mistwolf]

Hi,

My wife has an '04 Legacy. Recently, within two weeks of each other, both side view mirrors cracked! We don't understand why - there was no impact trauma that we can identify, but both are cracked clearly down the very center of the mirror.

I ordered a replacement from E-bay after the first cracked, and it seems to be the right size, but I can't find the adhesive material ANYWHERE to secure the thing.

The original mirrors came with two strips of black adhesive behind them, with the consistency of tar, black checking gum, or taffy... about 1 inch by 3 inches. They aren't double-sided "pads" or "tape" that you can get at a craft store - this black tar material seems decidedly waterproof, and exceedingly tacky.

Does anyone know where I can buy this adhesive?

I am hesitant to use a different, or permanent adhesive, because if two mirrors cracked in such a short span, it could happen again... but it would completely suck to try to repair them if the mirrors were joined using a permanent adhesive.

I've been looking on the Internet forever - any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[ivwarrior]

Don't know where you can get the tar like material you describe, but when I worked in a dealership (Subaru, among other brands) we used RTV silicone sealant to secure the mirror glass to the frame. Just make sure you clean any old adhesive off really well, apply the new and then press the glass in place. Hold it securely and then tape it in place for about a day. Use a block of styrofoam or something else stiff that won't scratch the glass between the glass and tape to apply some pressure on the glass if need be.

[Mistwolf]

Hi,

Thanks, that's a really good suggestion. Do you know if it would be possible to remove that sealant if the mirror needed to be replaced again?

[Wiscon_Mark]

ooooh, I had this happen to me. The mirror has been cracked for 5 years, and we haven't bothered with it.

however,

Luckily, the dealership sells just the mirror piece now, they used to sell you the whole housing, and it was $$! Good Luck!

[ivwarrior]

Hi,

Thanks, that's a really good suggestion. Do you know if it would be possible to remove that sealant if the mirror needed to be replaced again?

Yes, one of the OE's uses it, I've had to scrape it off with a razor blade before to replace a mirror glass.

[Mistwolf]

Thanks guys!

I'm going to order a tube of the RTV Silicone Sealant and try that. I'll let you know how it works.

Thanks again.

[ivwarrior]

Make sure you remember the "tape is securely in place for about a day" part. If you take the tape off before the silicone has cured, it won't hold securely.

[Huffer]

I can't find the adhesive material ANYWHERE to secure the thing.

It's urethane. Windscreen installers use it when they install new windscreens.