I have a new (to me) preowned XF. I love this car. The previous owner for some reason took the mirror away from the top of the windshield area, and had it glued/mounted halfway up the windshield. Two problems, I cannot see much outside the rear window, and second, the mounting looks like crap looking at it from the outside in at the windshield mounted area.

My question is, can a person 'unglue' of sorts the metal piece that is glued to the windshield which holds the mirror in place? My guess is NO. My only thought is that someday if/wne I would ever need a new replacement windshield, that would be the time to correctly remount the rear view mirror back to where it belongs. Your thoughts? Thanks!

 

ITs glue, you can do it, but not with force as the glass will crack, dont ask how I know. Go on to the Google to get more info of how to do it, youll get it off, clean the glue and reglue it. THe windshield guys do it all the time to swap your mirror into the new windshield. Go and ask one of them, not over the phone; face to face gets better help, shows your a real person and all the psych stuff.

Woody

 

Woody is right. They may even do the work for ~ $20.

 

Sounds like Woody is right. Ask questions in person. If you do it yourself , cover the dash with a drop cloth. If you can get it moved for $20, that is the path to go.

 

I've had a couple of cars where the rear view mirror just fell of in my hand while I was adjusting them.
Not sure if it was some sort of trade secret I stumbled onto or if it was my kung fu grip but they just came off!

 

The same has happened to me as well. Several over the years. I think it was just bad install of the glue they use, but who knows. I've never been told I was too gentle.

 

Once I had a windshield replaced and they used a propane torch on the outside of the glass to slightly heat up the area where the mirror was mounted on the inside.

The glass heated up and the mirror came right off
I was surprised the glass didn't crack with the heat of the torch but they said no worry ...this is how it is always done

 

Shoulda checked the car fax to see who the previous owner was

 

What is the recommended glue?

 

You could go to the 'Glass Shop", Ithink they use a "Lock Tite" product, but not sure. Several places sell mirror mount adhesive, auto parts stores, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. It should work, Like I said I have had success and failure. I would cover the interior with a sheet or light blanket in case you drop or spill the glue ( it is a very small amount). Let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice! Much appreciated!!

 

any auto parts store carrys the glue kit for attaching a mirror...and they do use heat to get the mirror off, that is why over time, living where it is hot, the mirror will fall off....or if you have DJ's Kung Fu grip....

 

Since the wife left, for some reason the Kung Fu grip is even stronger!

Don't let me near any of your car mirrors!

 

No, I'm not going there DJ....sorry, I thought maybe you worked things out for reason...life's too short, buddy...move on as they say....and don't look into the mirror, since is about mirrors...right Tim....mirrors....or lug bolts..

 

Not sure if you found a solution to your mirror issue, but similar to what another member had described, here's what I found on e-how:

2 Test the mirror every so often while you are heating it by trying to gently move the mirror slightly back and forth. Once you feel movement, continue to apply heat and increase the force a little at a time. Work the mirror back and forth and it will release from the windshield, leaving a fair amount of adhesive behind.

3 Warm the adhesive left on the windshield again. For thick patches of adhesive, wrap the fishing line around your fingers as if you were getting ready to use dental floss and press your fingers up tight against the windshield on either side of the remaining adhesive. Work the line under the top edge, and move the line back and forth with downward pressure. The line will cut through the adhesive and remove all but a little residue.

4 Apply the adhesive remover to the residue and use the razor scraper to gently scrape off the rest of the adhesive. Wipe the area with a rag and more adhesive remover.

5 Clean the area with glass cleaner.