Removing the glass from these trucks mirrors...

[Laderhosen]

Is there a way of removing the glass from the standard mirrors on these trucks without breaking it?? I took apart an old mirror the other day and it seemed like the glass was glued onto the back plate?? Not sure if that's standard, but the glue (gooey and blue) was so strong it broke the glass!!

[PromiseKeeper]

maybe try a heat gun?

[Laderhosen]

maybe try a heat gun?

Has that worked for you?? Was concerned that may melt or separate the reflective backing?

[klaussk]

If you are careful with the heat gun it might work. Id say its your best shot.

[Irish_Alley]

i dont think anyting will be safe for the alumunnum think even if you heated the glue it would probaly still be stronger than the foil

[klaussk]

Im not sure if it would take of the reflective foil. But you could soak the mirror in really hot water with alot of goo gone in it.

[PromiseKeeper]

I did use the heat gun to take off a set of those wide angle mirrors that were stuck on a set I got from Pull A Part. That didn't hurt anything. Also took off a rearview mirror bracket on a windshield with no problem. Try it on the broken mirror first.

[bake74]

     The side rear view mirrors are indeed glued in, they were never meant to taken out.  Now that said, there are different mounting of different kinds of mirrors.  One of the mirrors on one of my trucks, I believe it was a 76, the silver single mound retangle mirror, is not glued on the back, the rubber that surrounds the mirror is glued to the sides of the frame.
     I was able to "slice" around it and repair the rubber gasket and glue it back in.

[PromiseKeeper]

curiosity is getting the better of me....why are you taking good glass out of a mirror? Inquiring minds just have to know!   

[Laderhosen]

curiosity is getting the better of me....why are you taking good glass out of a mirror? Inquiring minds just have to know!   

Lol..... Well, long story. My right hand side mirror was dented, from a truck hitting it. So my friend gave me a Chevy van mirror in near new condition that he found in his garage. The rod that goes from the base plate to the mirror has a curve, which is different to that on the trucks. Now I know I could go and buy a new mirror, but they're not cheap on this side of the pond, so I was trying to avoid paying out. What I wanted to do was just take the glass out, undo the bolts on the inside of the mirror holder, remove the rod, put the correct rod in, etc etc....

[Laderhosen]

[PromiseKeeper]

You're a man after my own heart....gotta try and fix it rather than buy new. I wonder what shipping would be? I know I could find a decent one at a local salvage yard. I'd be willing to get it and ship to you if you wanted to pay for it. I bought mine for $11 U.S.

On the other hand, parts stores here carry stick on replacement glass that you can put over broken mirrors. I think around $13. If the heat gun ruined yours, you would not be out that much if you had access to one. Or you could break a corner out to get to the dent. This one fits my 1980 just to give you an idea:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Replacement-Mirror-Glass-K-Source_22211009-P_2171_R%7CGRP60004_1241859890____

[snibook7537]

I'll be darned, my truck has that loop in it and it makes the vent windows kinda hit when you open them I wonder if my truck doesn't have van mirrors on it or maybe it's a year to year difference that after a certain year they started using that style(I have an 87). God it's annoying but it sure beats the ford mirrors they are junk. My buddies 79 F150 just kind of hang off of the door, the factory type too not a crappy after market thing, he got in an accident (backed into a lady) and I wonder if it's because he doesn't even bother looking out the mirrors anymore seeing as they don't stay the position you set them. At least Chevy mirrors stay where you want them. Good luck trying to find out if you can switch them.

[Laderhosen]

You're a man after my own heart....gotta try and fix it rather than buy new. I wonder what shipping would be? I know I could find a decent one at a local salvage yard. I'd be willing to get it and ship to you if you wanted to pay for it. I bought mine for $11 U.S.

On the other hand, parts stores here carry stick on replacement glass that you can put over broken mirrors. I think around $13. If the heat gun ruined yours, you would not be out that much if you had access to one. Or you could break a corner out to get to the dent. This one fits my 1980 just to give you an idea:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Replacement-Mirror-Glass-K-Source_22211009-P_2171_R%7CGRP60004_1241859890____

Thanks for the offer mate, but I'm coming to the US in month or so, so I'll be dragging my Mrs round car parts shops!! Lol. To be honest stuff here isn't TOOOO expensive on the shipping, but seemed a shame to throw that perfectly good mirror away and order a new one. I may just buy a new piece of mirror glass and crack the old glass out.

[Bitzer!]

Can I give you a shopping list!!