Clean off the alignment markings on the outside of the windshield. Allow them to dry before you attempt to replace the mirror. % of people told us that this article helped them. After covering the glass thoroughly, you should wait for one to two minutes and apply another coat. We simply masked off the glass and followed the spraying instructions on the paint cans. After the resin is secure, you can leave the mirror for about 40 minutes to let it sit and dry. Secure the backing in place and re-hang the mirror. If you're using a new frame, it should come with new backing material that fits it properly. 1 Clean the mirror with soap and warm water. I only needed to detach 2 out of 4 tabs to remove the mirror. After separating the backing from the frame and removing the glass, place the broken material on a sheet of cardboard. Start your search with the armrest. Starting in the middle of one side of the mirror, insert a slim trim or pry bar behind the mirror. If your car has a manual mirror, you can probably skip that step and simply pop off the mirror trim panel and remove the three retaining screws (Photos 1 and 4). The first task is to clean the broken edges of the mirror, ensuring there's no dust or debris along the lines. Remove this covering and get rid of streaks and smudges if any crop up. If it's a cheaper model, you might end up spending more on the repair than a replacement. Check the trim panel and door to make sure all the fasteners came out of the door properly. This is standard practice, and modern construction adhesives last so long there is virtually no risk of the mirror coming unstuck unless the adhesive is defective. Tilt the mirror down so that if you sit in the driver's seat and look at the side mirror, you should see the rear tire or the ground. Wearing gloves and eye protection to help protect yourself from sharp glass. And, the total cost of this project was $29.86 and took approximately 1 hour to complete. You dont need to remove the saw, just let it dangle until you are ready to pick it back up and begin again. The pads must make contact with the plastic base to hold the new glass in place while the sealant sets up. It may seem tricky and like you cant possibly pull it off satisfactorily, but you can definitely get very close. It should go without saying that you'll need leather gloves or some form of cut-resistant gloves to handle the broken glass. Once youve given the mirror sufficient time to dry, you can remove the film and the epoxy. Click "Additional mouse settings". Take breaks when you need to. After the resin finishes curing, remove the stabilizer film. You can leverage this fact to your advantage by using a heat gun on the mirror. Angle the razor blade or utility knife so its parallel with the surface to run it over the crack evenly. Apply Online to work for a Locally Owned and Operated Glass Doctor Franchisee. References. This strategy involves replacing the glass with plexiglass to create a mirror alternative. If the glass is smashed into shards, ensure you collect it with leather gloves, don't use gloves made with materials like wool or cotton. Apply just a drop of the adhesive bonding agent to the windshield mount, carefully line it up with the markings, and press it firmly against the windshield for at least one minute. When it's stable, remove each of the clips that hold the mirror and the backing in place. Apply the mirror to the base and into place. You can paint a border around the edges, or a simple design that extends to cover the crack." Try to apply the film smoothly and avoid air bubbles. Youll also need a tube of black rubber sealant (Permatex, for example), sold at any auto parts store. Nissan North America, Inc. Auto collisions, especially side collisions, Not paying attention to your surroundings while parking, Obtain a new sheet of pre-cut mirror glass from. If that mount is still in place, you may be able to simply attach your new mirror to the windshield by sliding or clicking it into place on the button. Take a vacuum cleaner and clean around the area inside the frame to remove any traces of broken glass. If you apply a ton of heat to the mirror and there is no detectable degradation in the adhesive, youll have to try another method. The best method for repairing mirrored furniture is re-silvering it, but when the damage is too great, replacing your mirror may be more affordable. Look for screws in the finger pull area, under the armrest or behind speaker grilles. When applying the mirror paint, the instructions say to allow 1 minute between coats. Connect the electrical connector and test the mirror. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. You dont have to replace the entire side view mirror assembly just because the glass is broken. Remove the two Phillips screws at the bottom of the door panel. The glass needs to be free of residue so the epoxy can adhere to it without any dirt or dust. Generally, most flat bathroom mirrors of this type are affixed directly to the wall with construction adhesive, and sometimes with screws that help hold it in place. How to Temporarily Cover a Broken Car Window, How to Replace a Side Mirror Thats Broken, Easy Car Window Repair and Regulator Replacement (DIY), Car Heater Repair Tips: Fixing a Blower Motor, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Amazons Affordable, Portable Greenhouse Protects Plants All Winter, How to Never Scrape Your Windshield Again, This Easy Trick Will Defrost Your Car Window in Seconds, these classic movies had some of the most iconic cars in entertainment history, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This was the hardest part. Pull the pull handle out. in from the perimeter of the plastic mirror retainer. Before you get to work on repairing your mirror and dump a boatload of cash into the project, assess the situation. To make my life easier, I readjusted the mirror so I can access the clips and insert my flat head screwdriver. Hi rag1998. There is a solution, however, and that is the application of intense heat. No matter which of the following methods you are using, youll want to wear full safety goggles, sturdy work gloves, boots and long sleeves and long pants at the minimum. As you've already found, the mirror is quite fragile, so doing this would be fairly difficult. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Some mirrors might require you to remove the cardboard, wood, or paper backing from the frame to access the glass. shipping on orders over $75 with code FREESHIP. But as mirrors age, they can develop speckles of discoloration or become smudged and dingy. Heathers homesteading journey started in 2006, with baby steps: first, she got a few raised beds, some chickens, and rabbits. Luckily, we are here to help you with a comprehensive guide that will help you tackle any flat wall mirror installation safely. Bathroom Mirror Repair vs. 1) The Aluminum Foil Method for Repairing a Cracked Mirror If you have a minimal budget for the repair job and you want a quick fix, this is the method you're looking for. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Take a sponge or a clean cloth and soak it in warm water. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Our glass experts will answer your questions and work with you to select a mirror that fits your needs. So, one day, while we were shopping at Menards, we passed the DIY mirror display. If you apply too much too quickly it could form an uneven bulge under the film. The tiny shards of glass can penetrate the materials, and you might not notice them or feel them at first. Pro Tip The key to a successful repair using this kit is to ensure you remove any air bubbles created during the application process. Also, be sure and add this video to your Playlist!Follow me on Social Media!Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BlueCollarDIY/Twitter at: https://twitter.com/BlueCollarDiyInstagram at: https://www.instagram.com/bluecollardiy/https://www.reddit.com/user/BlueCollarDIY/ Use your fist or a small rubber mallet to reinsert the Christmas tree trim panel fasteners. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This is a great tactic if you want to salvage the mirror without breaking it. There are different ways you can fix your mirror and it would highly depend on how bad the damage was. Remove the Back of the Mirror The mirror you have will probably require some disassembly before you can repair it. Or just the broken bathroom mirror? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you want to fix the broken mirror, youll need to clean away any dust and residue from the break. There are a total of 4 tabs on the mirror that have 2 clips each holding it. Next, you'll need to know the size you need, so measure the broken mirror you want to fix. Carefully remove all the broken glass from the plastic mirror base on the damaged mirror. Remove the two Phillips screws in the door pull cup. Learn more on, How To Frost Glass: 4 DIY Methods for Superb Results, How Much Weight Can Drywall Hold? Dealer sets actual price. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The backing is typically made from cardboard or particleboard and is generally lightweight and easy to lift up with just your hands. var data = []; Remove the screws that hold the mirror and remove it from the door. Get the size of Lexan you need here on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2Wjfmm5Mirror spray paint on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2BPAhDLThis would be a great mirror painting idea for replacing a broken mirror on a closet door!Before you begin, you'll need to locate someplace that sells plexiglass or lexan. Next, follow the cable from the mirror and disassemble the mirrors electrical connector. Make sure you are wearing gloves and protective eye-wear, oh, and its also a smart idea to put a small garbage bucket under the housing you are working . Plexiglass is far more affordable. Epoxy won't stick and adhere to the pieces if there's dust in the way. Arrange the pieces into place and secure them with the stabilizer film. This will give you open access to the mirror. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Repair-a-Cracked-Mirror-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Repair-a-Cracked-Mirror-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b7\/Repair-a-Cracked-Mirror-Step-1.jpg\/aid11426133-v4-728px-Repair-a-Cracked-Mirror-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"