A loose or fallen rearview mirror is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a significant safety hazard that compromises your visibility and driving confidence. The right adhesive is crucial for a secure, lasting bond that can withstand daily vibrations and extreme temperature changes. With so many options on the market, from specialized kits to versatile epoxies, selecting the best one for your vehicle can be a challenge.
This guide simplifies your search by presenting a curated list of the most effective adhesives designed for this specific task. We have evaluated products based on their bonding strength, ease of application, resistance to environmental factors, and overall reliability. Our goal is to provide you with the information needed to make an informed purchase and get your mirror securely back in place.
The Best Rearview Mirror Adhesives for a Secure Bond
- Permatex 81840 Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit
- 3M High-Bond Rearview Mirror Adhesive, 08749, 0.02 fl oz
- Visbella Rearview Mirror Adhesive Repair Kit for Windshield
- Loctite 37438 Rearview Mirror Adhesive Kit – 0.3 cc
- Permatex Rearview Mirror Adhesive, Adhesive .3ml/Primer .6ml (81844)
- NOCO GENIUS1: 1A 6V/12V Smart Battery Charger & Maintainer
- 3M Black Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive, 08008, 5 fl oz
- Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, 5 Minute Set, .85 oz Syringe
- 3M 03614 Plastic and Emblem Adhesive (5 fl oz)
Permatex 81840 Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit
This two-part kit from Permatex is formulated for professional-level results. It combines a powerful adhesive with a medical-grade towelette for surface preparation, which helps to minimize mess and improve application accuracy. The system is engineered specifically for mounting rearview mirrors to windshields, ensuring a strong and durable connection.
The included activator towelette is a key feature, as it properly cleans and primes the mounting surface on the windshield. This step is critical for achieving the maximum bond strength that the adhesive is capable of providing. For those seeking a reliable, professional-grade solution, this kit offers a complete package for a successful installation.
3M High-Bond Rearview Mirror Adhesive, 08749
3M is a trusted name in automotive adhesives, and this High-Bond formula lives up to the reputation. It is a two-part structural acrylic system specifically designed for the task of mounting rearview mirrors. This adhesive is built to perform under pressure, holding up well in high temperatures and humid environments.
Beyond temperature resistance, it also provides excellent protection against moisture, chemicals, vibration, and impact. These are all common stresses that can cause an inferior bond to fail over time. Choosing this 3M adhesive means investing in a product designed for long-term reliability and performance on the road.
Visbella Rearview Mirror Adhesive Repair Kit
The Visbella kit boasts superior strength, claiming to surpass the performance of traditional epoxy resins. This ensures a very secure bond between your rearview mirror and the windshield. A notable advantage is its quick repair functionality, which allows for a swift and efficient fix, getting you back on the road with minimal delay.
This adhesive also offers versatile application, making it useful for more than just mirror repair. It can bond various materials like metal to metal, glass to glass, and glass to metal. This versatility makes it a handy product to have in your garage for other small repair projects.
Loctite 37438 Rearview Mirror Adhesive Kit
Loctite is another industry leader, and this rearview mirror adhesive kit features OEM-approved performance. This means it meets the specifications and testing standards of leading auto manufacturers, giving you confidence in its quality. It is trusted by professionals worldwide for its reliable bonding power.
A key benefit of this product is its fast handling strength. It is ideal for metal mirror feet and achieves a handling strength in just seconds. The bond reaches full mirror-mounting strength in approximately 15 minutes, making for a relatively quick and efficient repair process.
Permatex Rearview Mirror Adhesive, Adhesive .3ml/Primer .6ml (81844)
This Permatex kit provides the essential components for a successful mirror remounting job: a tube of strong adhesive and a larger tube of primer. The primer is crucial for preparing the glass surface, ensuring optimal adhesion and a long-lasting bond. The compact packaging makes it easy to store and handle.
While simple in its presentation, this kit contains everything needed for the task without unnecessary extras. It is a straightforward solution from a reputable brand, focused on delivering the core materials required to securely reattach a rearview mirror to a windshield.
NOCO GENIUS1: 1A 6V/12V Smart Battery Charger & Maintainer
While not an adhesive, a reliable battery charger is an essential tool for any car owner. The NOCO GENIUS1 is a compact yet powerful smart charger and maintainer designed for 6V and 12V lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. It works on a variety of battery types, including AGM, gel, and deep-cycle.
Its precision charging feature includes an integrated thermal sensor that adjusts the charge based on ambient temperature. This prevents overcharging in hot weather and undercharging in cold, which helps to extend the overall life of your vehicle’s battery and ensure it is always ready to start.
3M Black Super Weatherstrip and Gasket Adhesive, 08008
This 3M adhesive is a versatile, brushable formula designed for automotive trim and seals. It forms a flexible, waterproof bond that effectively resists vibration, making it suitable for applications like weatherstripping, headliners, and gaskets. The black color helps it blend in seamlessly with many automotive components.
The product is easy to brush and spread directly from the tube, which can save time during application. Its flexibility is a major advantage for parts that experience movement or thermal expansion, ensuring the bond remains intact even when the materials flex.
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, 5 Minute Set, .85 oz Syringe
Gorilla Epoxy is a famous general-purpose adhesive known for its incredible strength and versatility. It is a two-part system that, when mixed, creates a permanent, high-strength bond on a variety of surfaces including metal, glass, and ceramics. The 5-minute set time allows for quick positioning of parts.
The syringe dispenser is designed for easy 1:1 mixing, which helps ensure the correct ratio of resin and hardener for a proper cure. While not specialized for mirrors, its reputation for creating a tough, durable bond makes it a popular choice for many heavy-duty repair tasks.
3M 03614 Plastic and Emblem Adhesive (5 fl oz)
This 3M product is formulated specifically for bonding plastics and emblems to vehicle surfaces. It provides a strong, lasting hold that is resistant to weather, vibration, and impacts from road debris. This makes it an excellent choice for reattaching body side moldings, trim pieces, and badges.
The adhesive is designed to be easy to apply, often featuring a nozzle for precise placement. Its formulation ensures that it remains effective through the wide range of temperatures and conditions that a vehicle exterior must endure, keeping your trim securely in place.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Adhesives for Rear View Mirrors
When my own rear view mirror decided to take a nosedive onto my dashboard, I learned the hard way that not all adhesives are created equal. Choosing the right one is the difference between a permanent fix and a wobbly, unreliable mirror that falls off again in a week. The first thing I always check for now is the type of surface I’m working with. Is your windshield a standard type, or does it have a special frit band or dot matrix pattern around the mirror area? Some adhesives struggle with these textured surfaces, so you need a product specifically designed to handle them.
Next, consider the curing time. This is a big one. Some adhesives offer an instant hold, which is great because you don’t have to sit there holding the mirror in place for minutes on end. Others require a longer curing period before you can safely attach any weight. If you need your car back on the road quickly, a fast-curing formula is your best friend. However, don’t confuse curing time with full strength. Many fast-grab adhesives still need 24 to 72 hours to reach their maximum bond strength, so you should avoid slamming your car doors or driving on bumpy roads during this period.
Temperature resistance is another non-negotiable factor. Your car experiences extreme temperature swings, from freezing cold winters to scorching hot summers baking in the sun. A cheap adhesive will soften in the heat and become brittle in the cold, leading to failure. Look for products rated for a wide temperature range, something like -40°F to 200°F (-40°C to 93°C). This ensures the bond remains stable and secure no matter the weather outside.
Finally, think about the clean-up and removal process. Let’s be honest, you might not get it perfectly aligned on the first try, or you might need to replace the mirror in the future. Some adhesives use a super-strong, permanent bond that is incredibly difficult to remove without special tools or risking damage to the windshield. Others are designed to be strong but allow for removal with a twisting motion or a special release tool. If you value future flexibility, look for an adhesive that balances high strength with a manageable removal process. This guide to the best adhesives for rear view mirrors should help you find a product that keeps your mirror firmly in place for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait to drive my car after gluing the rear view mirror back on?
This is probably the most common question I get. The answer really depends on the specific adhesive you use. Most products have a “fast set” or “initial hold” time, which might be as little as 30 seconds to a few minutes. This means you can let go of the mirror and it won’t immediately fall off. However, this is not the same as the full cure time. For the adhesive to develop its maximum strength and be able to handle road vibrations and bumps, you should really wait a full 24 hours. I know it’s inconvenient, but it’s the best way to ensure a permanent fix. Check the instructions on your specific adhesive for the manufacturer’s recommended wait time.
Why did my mirror fall off in the first place?
There are a few usual suspects. The most common cause is extreme temperature changes. Over many cycles of heating and cooling, the adhesive expands and contracts, eventually losing its bond. Old age is another factor; the adhesive simply degrades over time. Using the wrong type of adhesive for the job is a big one—a general-purpose glue won’t stand up to the stress and temperature extremes a car experiences. Finally, an improper initial installation, where the windshield or button wasn’t perfectly clean, can lead to a weak bond from the start.
How do I remove the old adhesive from my windshield?
Patience is key here. You’ll need a razor blade scraper, some rubbing alcohol, and a bit of elbow grease. First, use the razor blade held at a low angle to carefully scrape off the bulk of the old adhesive. Be very careful not to scratch the glass. Once the big chunks are gone, you’ll likely have a thin, sticky film left behind. Soak a cloth in rubbing alcohol and let it sit on the residue for a minute to soften it. Then, use the razor blade again to scrape off the softened residue. The alcohol will help dissolve the glue without damaging the glass. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage any tint or the windshield itself.
Can I use super glue or epoxy to reattach my mirror?
I strongly advise against it. While super glue and many epoxies are very strong, they are not formulated for the specific challenges of a car windshield. They tend to become brittle with temperature fluctuations and can fail under constant vibration. More importantly, they often don’t bond well to the specific types of glass and metal involved. You are much better off using a product specifically designed for automotive rear view mirrors. These are engineered to remain flexible, withstand extreme temperatures, and absorb vibrations, which is exactly what you need for a reliable, long-term fix.
What if my windshield has a black dotted pattern where the mirror goes?
That dotted area is called a dot matrix, and it can be tricky. The uneven surface means there’s less direct contact between the adhesive and the glass, leading to a weaker bond. Don’t worry, you’re not out of luck. The best approach is to use an adhesive promoter or primer that comes with many high-quality mirror adhesive kits. You apply this primer to both the metal button and the dot matrix area on the glass. This primer creates a much stronger chemical bond, ensuring the adhesive sticks properly to the textured surface. Some adhesives are also specifically marketed as being effective on dot matrix patterns, so look for that on the packaging. Finding the right one from a list of the best adhesives for rear view mirrors will save you a lot of frustration.