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Rearview mirror restoration

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davester

davester

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I haven't spotted any NOS or reproduction rearview mirrors, and the mirror silvering in my Mk III is close to opaque. Has anybody had occasion to have their mirror resilvered? I'm wondering if local glass places do that or if there are any good online mirror restoration companies. I did see a few on the internets, though they all ask that the glass be removed from the frame. I'm not sure how to do that without breaking it. Any thoughts?
 
Any glass shop can replace the mirror glass.
I had my local shop do it so many times that he taught me how to cut and sand the mirror to fit. He even gave me a quality glass cutter.
I now use scrap mirror from one of those hang on the door mirrors to cut new
ones. A dab of glue and it's done in a few minutes.
If you have the hi/lo, that one is convexed glass and could be tough to find.
The 65 does not have a hi/lo so check with the glass shop or buy a cheap framed mirror and cut your own.
 
Cutting the mirror glass to fit is pretty easy.

My problem is a "Shakin" mirror: it vibrates a lot while driving and is hard to see!

Anyone know how to solve this little problemo?
 
Shaking Mirror is easy to fix. when you want to look in the mirror just shake your head at the same speed and it clears right up LOL. I would like an answer to that as well.
 
One possibility is to get a mirror as opaque as mine. That way you won't notice any shaking at all.
 
Mine shakes something fierce too. Knocks against the windshield as well, was discussed a while back that it may not be the correct one for the car.
It is 15-354 here
Seems like the stem should angle in slightly to allow clearance and be rubber mounted to reduce vibs.
No?
 
The original on mine is 9-091, as shown below. I wasn't aware that reproductions were available, but I hadn't checked VB. Does anyone have anything to say about the quality of this piece?...for only $20 it might be smarter to do than getting the glass in mine replaced.
0017.jpg
 
I don't know but I see that the fender mirrors I like (9-180) are on sale. Tempting....
 
The problem is not that the mirror is shaking, but that the car is, try less psi in the tires (softer tires)! Seriously though, a rubber gasket between the mirror and the body might help a bit.
 
The reproduction mirror that bolts to the windshield center post is pure trash.
I have one, it comes with a small rubber hose with a slit in the middle to make it "fit" the center rod. Well THAT doesn't work but nobody told the chinese that.
 
While looking at this on ebay I notice in the interior pictures that the rear view sure has an angled stem. I want the correct one now.
I'd guess that neither of the two listed by VB are correct as neither seem to have an angle, at least the cheaper one I have sure doesn't. (15-354)
full.aspx
 
davester said:
The original on mine is 9-091, as shown below. I wasn't aware that reproductions were available, but I hadn't checked VB. Does anyone have anything to say about the quality of this piece?...for only $20 it might be smarter to do than getting the glass in mine replaced.
Click to expand...

I bought 15-354 for my 61 a couple of years back and the quality was questionable. It looked fine, but the hole placement was slightly off and required a few minutes with a rat-tail file to get the screw holes to line up correctly. Nothing major - just very slightly off - but enough to make it so the threads of the screws were binding against the side of the holes.
 
And does yours hit the windshield? My 15-354 does when it's oriented for correct view, just barely, but it's enough to rattle annoyingly. I've taken to angling it away so it is useless in two respects; vibrates too much for a clear image, can't be aimed correctly without bumping windshield.
 
I use a 9-091 that I got from either VB or Moss...can't recall which. It fit loosely on the center post which I address by getting a piece of brass tube from a hobby shop, cutting a short piece lengthwise and using it to make a half round ship. Holds it snug now.
 
I've since discovered most of the rattling on mines isn't against the windshield but it's rattling within itself.
 
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