rearview mirror glass replacement

[1983Pinin]

Hello,

My 1983 Spider has an intact rear-view mirror, but it is a bit cloudy from age. I can still use it but am looking for replacement glass mirror. I seem to remember one of the spider parts vendors had a replacement kit that I should have ordered since I can't find replacement glass anywhere on line.

I went to my local glass/mirror shop and was told the cost was purely for the labor to trace and cut a piece of mirror, but I was astounded by their per hour rate so I am looking for a cheaper, but good quality option.

Any ideas? I wonder if I had seen that glass replacement kit on International Auto site, which no monger exists.

--Peter

[njspider]

Are you talking about the interior rear view mirror? I had the same issue. I ended up taking it apart to find that there was a clear piece of glass covering the mirror. With the glass out of the way I was able to clean the cloudy film from the mirror and it looks like new. by the way, it was easy to remove the mirror from the windshield frame and disassemble it. Worth a try.

[RRoller123]

+1
Mine rattled as well, and a bead of black silicone around the seams after taking it apart and cleaning it settled that down too.

[DieselSpider]

+1
Mine rattled as well, and a bead of black silicone around the seams after taking it apart and cleaning it settled that down too.

Same here, it was cloudy and rattling especially with the old diesel engine in it. Took it apart, cleaned it and used Silicone RTV on the mirror, glass and day/night lever to keep it from rattling. They clean up very nicely since its real glass and not plastic.

[1983Pinin]

Thanks everyone for suggesting the mirror repair. I could imagine a piece of plain glass would get cloudy over time, just like the gauge glass. I hope that takes care of the problem!
To those who did the disassembly-- can you get the glass and mirror out without pulling the entire rear-view mirror off the windshield?

--Peter

[1983Pinin]

Regarding cleaning rear-view mirror glass, I now see that it should be a piece of cake to pull the rear-view mirror off its mounting post by just pulling it back. So I will pull the mirror, get the glass and mirror out and clean it up.

[Funcar]

Ok I am going to clean the rear view mirror with the advice in this thread. Do the side mirrors also have the glass cover over the mirrors?

[DieselSpider]

Regarding cleaning rear-view mirror glass, I now see that it should be a piece of cake to pull the rear-view mirror off its mounting post by just pulling it back. So I will pull the mirror, get the glass and mirror out and clean it up.

It can require a bit of wiggling and be a leap of faith the first time you pull it off when its been on there for a few decades. After you clean up the retainer some wax or a lite coat of white lithium will help keep the spring clip and ball from rusting and make it easier in the future.

Sometimes the glass may be so dirty you might need to use a bit of rouge or baking soda to get through the fog on the glass. Remember that you should not immerse the mirror itself to clean it or be too rough on the backside of it or you can damage the silvering ending up with clear holes in the mirror which will look like black spots once its all assembled.

[1983Pinin]

Very informative answer DieselSpider.
Yes, a leap if faith in pulling that thing off, but it came off, I got everything cleaned off ( but tbat rouge trick is great and real old school--people use that for final polish for twlescope optics!).
As I yanked back, I was thinking what if the PO did some crazy rv mirror replacement and this will just snap in my hand.
Well, all is well, and much cleaner, I must add!
Now if I just figure how to keep th 83 through-the-ventwindow side view mirror from slipping and pointing to the pavement I'll be a happy camper.
--Peter

[Funcar]

My rear view mirror also cleaned up very nicely . To add to this post I will add a couple of pictures.

Remove the mirror from the post on the windshield frame as per previous advice. I used a thin blade screw driver from below the base of the mirror and the windshield frame and gave a twist while pulling with the other hand. Yes it took more force then I thought it would.





The base has a circular spring clip and attached to a beveled post on the windshield frame. I gently disassembled the mirror. You will note a partial gasket set into the glass which covers the mirror.



Once cleaned I reattached with a little clear silicone. Windex did a good job on the glass and a poor job on the mirror so I used vinegar and it came out great. Painted the metal components and reassembled. Used some lithium grease on the spring clip. Everthing back together and looking good.

[Dawgme85]

When assembled correctly, there should be no need for any kind of adhesive. Assemble the glass and mirror into the mirror trim (outer) piece so that they clear the projections therein, then clip the trim piece/glass/mirror to the main frame, latching the bottom lugs into the slots first, finally snapping the top into place. There should be no slop nor rattling of the mirror within the frame when all is said and done.

[DieselSpider]

Unfortunately the partial gaskets on the glass were no longer existant on mine and many others. Florida sunshine took them out years ago.

[bjbrown]

I still have this process to do myself during the restoration of my 1980 spider. Question: does anyone have a photo of the entire rear-view mirror assembly taken apart. I think I too, may be missing the partial gaskets on each of the mirrors I have (I acquired a couple spares).

[bobplyler]

I bought one that glues to the window for about 10 bucks. I'd replaced the mirror twice, and got tired of the price.