A loose or fallen rearview mirror is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a significant safety hazard that compromises your visibility on the road. The right adhesive is crucial for a secure, lasting bond that can withstand daily vibrations and extreme temperature changes inside your car. With so many options on the market, from specialized kits to versatile epoxies, choosing the best one can feel overwhelming.
This practical guide cuts through the confusion by reviewing eight of the top-performing adhesives designed to get your mirror back in place reliably. We’ve evaluated professional-grade formulas, fast-curing options, and versatile epoxies to help you find the perfect solution for a quick and confident repair, ensuring your drive is safe and your view is clear.
Our Top Picks for Rearview Mirror Adhesives
- Permatex 81840 Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit
- 3M High-Bond Rearview Mirror Adhesive, 08749
- Visbella Rearview Mirror Adhesive Repair Kit for Windshield
- Loctite 37438 Rearview Mirror Adhesive Kit – 0.3 cc
- Ready Rearview Mirror Superior Bond Adhesive, Fast Easy Installation
- J-B Weld 50112 ClearWeld 5 Minute Set Epoxy Syringe
- Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, 5 Minute Set Time
- 3M 03614 EZ Pass Rearview Mirror Adhesive
Permatex 81840 Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit
The Permatex 81840 kit is a professional-grade solution trusted by many for its reliable performance. This two-part system includes an activator towelette and an adhesive pipette, designed to work together for a superior bond. The medical-grade towelette helps minimize mess and improves application accuracy, making the process cleaner and more controlled.
This kit is specifically formulated for mounting rearview mirrors to windshields. Its professional strength ensures that once applied, your mirror will stay firmly in place, providing a durable fix that stands up to the rigors of daily driving.
3M High-Bond Rearview Mirror Adhesive, 08749
3M is a leader in adhesive technology, and their High-Bond Rearview Mirror Adhesive lives up to the reputation. This two-part structural acrylic system is engineered specifically for mounting rearview mirrors. It is designed to perform reliably in challenging conditions, including high temperatures and humid environments.
The adhesive offers excellent resistance to moisture, chemicals, vibration, and impact. This makes it a robust choice for ensuring your mirror remains securely attached through various weather conditions and on different road surfaces, providing long-term peace of mind.
Visbella Rearview Mirror Adhesive Repair Kit
The Visbella kit boasts exceptional strength, creating a secure bond between your rearview mirror and windshield that is noted for surpassing traditional epoxy resins. A key benefit is its quick repair functionality, which allows for a swift and efficient fix to get you back on the road with minimal downtime.
Beyond just rearview mirrors, this adhesive is praised for its versatile application. It can be used for bonding various materials like metal to metal, glass to glass, and glass to metal, making it a handy multi-purpose adhesive to have in your toolkit.
Loctite 37438 Rearview Mirror Adhesive Kit
Loctite is a brand synonymous with strong adhesives, and this Rearview Mirror Adhesive Kit features OEM-approved performance. This means it is designed and tested by leading auto manufacturers, making it a trusted choice for professionals worldwide who require reliable results.
This kit provides strong adhesion for bonding the mirror bracket to the windshield. It is particularly ideal for metal mirror feet, achieving handling strength in just seconds and full mirror-mounting strength in approximately 15 minutes, allowing for a fast and effective repair.
Ready Rearview Mirror Superior Bond Adhesive
The Ready Rearview Mirror Adhesive is formulated with high-quality materials to provide an industrial-strength bond. It is built for peak performance in extreme temperature conditions, making it a durable and long-lasting option for all-season weather.
This product emphasizes an easy and fast installation process. The fast-acting adhesive formula, combined with detailed instructions and images, ensures the install is done correctly. It features a 15-minute cure time, which is significantly faster than many traditional glass adhesive products.
J-B Weld 50112 ClearWeld 5 Minute Set Epoxy Syringe
J-B Weld ClearWeld is a versatile, clear-setting, two-part epoxy that is suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including glass and metal. It comes in a convenient syringe that allows for an easy 1:1 mix ratio, simplifying the application process. The syringe also features a re-sealable cap to prevent drying and leaking.
This epoxy is known for its strong and lasting bond, with a tensile strength of 3900 PSI. After mixing, it sets in just 5 minutes and cures fully in 1 hour, making it a quick solution not only for rearview mirrors but for various other household repairs.
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, 5 Minute Set Time
Gorilla Epoxy is a well-known, general-purpose adhesive that provides a formidable bond for various materials, including glass and metal. This two-part epoxy is easy to use, with a 5-minute set time that gives you a brief window to position your mirror perfectly before it begins to hold.
It creates a durable, long-lasting bond with a strength of 3300 PSI, which is suitable for securing a rearview mirror. While it is a multi-purpose product, its strength and reliability make it a viable option for this specific automotive repair task.
3M 03614 EZ Pass Rearview Mirror Adhesive
This 3M adhesive is another specialized product designed for the task of remounting rearview mirrors. While often associated with EZ Pass transponders, its formulation is effective for creating a strong bond between mirror brackets and glass windshields.
It is engineered to withstand the automotive environment, including vibrations and temperature fluctuations. For those who prefer a product from a trusted brand like 3M that is purpose-made for this kind of application, it represents a solid and straightforward choice.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Adhesives for Rearview Mirrors
I’ve been through the frustration of a rearview mirror dangling from my windshield one too many times. It’s a common problem, and the solution almost always comes down to using the right adhesive. But with so many options on the shelf, how do you pick the right one? Let me walk you through what I look for.
First and foremost, you need to consider the bonding surface. Is your mirror’s button metal or plastic? Is your windshield clean and free of old adhesive residue? Most high-quality adhesives are designed to bond to glass, but they have different strengths when it comes to the material of the mirror’s mounting base. A two-part epoxy is often fantastic for metal-to-glass bonds, while a specialized urethane might be better for certain plastics.
The next big factor is curing time. This is where many people get impatient and mess up a good repair. Instant-grab adhesives are tempting because they hold fast, but they often don’t allow for any adjustment. Slower-curing adhesives, sometimes requiring 24 hours to reach full strength, provide a much stronger and more durable bond in the long run. You’ll need to secure the mirror with tape and avoid driving the car for a day, but the permanent result is worth the wait.
Temperature resistance is non-negotiable. Your car’s interior experiences extreme temperature swings, from freezing cold winters to scorching hot summers. A cheap adhesive will soften in the heat and become brittle in the cold, leading to another failure. Look for products specifically rated for automotive use and capable of handling a wide temperature range, typically from -40°F to well over 200°F.
Finally, think about the application process itself. Is it a single-use tube or a two-part system that you mix? I prefer products that come with an applicator tip for precise placement, as you want to avoid getting adhesive anywhere but the mounting button. A messy application can be difficult to clean and might even obscure your view. Reading reviews for the 8 best adhesives for rearview mirrors can give you real-world insight into how easy a product is to use before you buy it.
FAQ
How long should I wait to drive my car after re-gluing the rearview mirror?
This is the most common question, and the answer depends entirely on the adhesive you use. For fast-setting formulas, it might be just an hour or two. However, for the strongest, most permanent bond, many professional-grade adhesives require a full 24 hours to cure completely. I always check the product instructions and plan to leave the car parked overnight. It’s a hassle, but it’s much better than the mirror falling off again a week later.
What is the best way to remove old adhesive from the windshield?
Getting the surface perfectly clean is the most critical step for a successful repair. I use a razor blade holder to carefully scrape off the bulk of the old glue. Then, I use a cloth with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or a dedicated automotive glass cleaner to dissolve and wipe away any remaining residue. The goal is a perfectly smooth, clean, and dry surface for the new adhesive to grip.
Can I use super glue or double-sided tape for my rearview mirror?
I strongly advise against it. Standard super glue (cyanoacrylate) becomes very brittle and will shatter with the vibrations and temperature changes in a car. Regular double-sided tape simply doesn’t have the holding power. It might seem to work for a few days, but it will fail. You need an adhesive specifically engineered for the unique demands of an automotive glass application.
Why did my mirror fall off in the first place?
There are a few usual suspects. The most common is a cheap or old adhesive that has degraded over time due to UV exposure and thermal cycling. Another cause could be an impact, like slamming the car door. Sometimes, if the windshield was replaced, the technician may not have used a high-quality primer or adhesive. Understanding the cause can help you select a more appropriate product from a list of the best adhesives for rearview mirrors.
Do I need to use a primer?
Many high-strength adhesive kits include a small vial of primer. I highly recommend using it if it’s provided. The primer chemically prepares the glass surface, creating a much stronger bond between the adhesive and the windshield. It only takes an extra minute to apply and can be the difference between a temporary fix and a permanent solution.