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. Finding the right adhesive to reattach it permanently can be a challenge, as not all glues are designed to withstand the constant vibrations, temperature swings, and direct sunlight that a car’s windshield endures. A failed bond can lead to a frustrating and potentially dangerous situation, making the choice of adhesive critical for a reliable, long-term fix.
This guide is designed to cut through the confusion and present you with the most effective adhesives specifically suited for this important task. We have compiled a list of ten top-performing products, from specialized mirror glues to heavy-duty tapes and epoxies, to help you restore your mirror securely. Our detailed reviews will highlight the key features and benefits of each option, empowering you to make an informed decision for a safe and successful repair.
Our Recommended Rearview Mirror Adhesives
- Ready Rearview Mirror Superior Bond Adhesive
- NOCO GENIUS1 Smart Battery Charger
- Gorilla Heavy Duty Double Sided Mounting Tape
- Scotch-Mount Double Sided Mounting Tape Heavy Duty
- Loctite PL Premium Max Construction Adhesive
- Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, Clear Epoxy
- 3M General Trim Adhesive 08088
- Loctite Power Grab Express All Purpose Adhesive
- Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape
- Permatex 81158 Black Weatherstrip Adhesive
Ready Rearview Mirror Superior Bond Adhesive
This adhesive is engineered specifically for the task of reattaching rearview mirrors, offering a targeted solution for a common automotive problem. Its formula is built to create an industrial-strength bond between metal and glass, ensuring your mirror stays firmly in place. It is designed to perform reliably through all seasons, resisting the stress caused by extreme hot and cold temperatures that can cause inferior products to fail.
A key advantage of this product is its speed and user-friendly design. The fast-acting formula achieves a full cure in just 15 minutes, significantly reducing your vehicle’s downtime. The package includes detailed instructions with images, and an online video guide is available to walk you through the entire installation process, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced DIYers.
NOCO GENIUS1 Smart Battery Charger
While not an adhesive, a reliable battery is essential for any vehicle, and the NOCO GENIUS1 is a compact yet powerful solution for battery maintenance. This smart charger is designed to keep your battery in peak condition, which is crucial for all your car’s electrical components. Its small size belies its capability, delivering efficient charging power for 6V and 12V lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.
The GENIUS1 features advanced temperature compensation technology, which automatically adjusts the charge rate based on the ambient temperature. This prevents overcharging in summer heat and undercharging in winter cold, thereby extending the overall life of your battery. It functions as a full-time maintainer, so you can connect it and feel confident your battery will be ready when you are.
Gorilla Heavy Duty Double Sided Mounting Tape
For a tool-free installation, Gorilla Heavy Duty Double Sided Tape presents a formidable alternative to liquid adhesives. This tape is engineered with an industrial-strength adhesive that can hold up to 60 pounds, making it more than capable of securing a rearview mirror. Its weatherproof nature means it can handle the conditions inside a vehicle, from direct sunlight to humidity, without losing its grip.
The tape is designed to conform to uneven surfaces, which is beneficial for creating a strong bond on textured areas. It works on a wide range of materials, including glass, metal, and plastic, providing a versatile solution for various mounting needs beyond just a mirror. The instant hold feature allows for a quick and clean installation without any mess or curing time.
Scotch-Mount Double Sided Mounting Tape Heavy Duty
3M’s Scotch-Mount Extreme Mounting Tape is another excellent tape-based option, renowned for its superior bond strength. This tape is formulated with a high-performance adhesive that conforms on contact, creating a reliable and lasting hold for demanding applications. It is specifically marketed as the brand’s strongest tape for their toughest jobs, which includes securing heavy objects in a dynamic environment like a vehicle.
With a holding power of up to 30 pounds, it provides a dependable solution for mirror attachment. The long roll offers plenty of material for multiple projects or for ensuring you have ample tape for a secure mount. Its reliability and ease of use make it a popular choice for both household and automotive repairs where a permanent, damage-free bond is required.
Loctite PL Premium Max Construction Adhesive
For those who prefer a liquid adhesive for maximum permanence, Loctite PL Premium Max is a top-tier choice. It is recognized as a very strong and versatile construction adhesive that forms a 100% solid, heavy-duty bond after curing. This characteristic prevents the development of air pockets, resulting in a more consistent and flexible bond that can absorb the vibrations experienced while driving.
This adhesive works reliably on a wide array of materials, including glass, metal, and laminated surfaces, making it suitable for bonding the mirror’s metal button to the windshield. Its professional-grade formula is trusted for critical bonding applications, ensuring that once it sets, your mirror will remain securely attached through various stresses and weather conditions.
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, Clear Epoxy
Gorilla’s 2 Part Epoxy is a fantastic solution for creating an incredibly strong, permanent bond on a variety of materials. This epoxy is a two-part system that, when mixed, creates a durable resin that dries completely clear. This clear finish is ideal for a clean, unnoticeable repair, which is perfect for a rearview mirror application where aesthetics matter.
It features a convenient 5-minute set time, giving you adequate opportunity to position the mirror correctly before the epoxy begins to harden. An additional benefit is its gap-filling property, which allows it to bond effectively even if the surfaces are not perfectly even, ensuring complete contact and a robust hold between the mirror base and the windshield.
3M General Trim Adhesive 08088
3M’s General Trim Adhesive is a high-strength aerosol spray adhesive commonly used in automotive applications for bonding fabrics, carpets, and plastics. Its clear-drying formula is beneficial for avoiding visible residue, making it a neat option for interior repairs. The aerosol delivery system allows for easy and even application, ensuring full coverage on the bonding surface.
This product is designed to create a secure bond on hard, impervious surfaces like metal and glass, which aligns perfectly with the needs of attaching a rearview mirror. Its professional reputation in the automotive industry speaks to its reliability for withstanding the unique challenges presented within a vehicle’s cabin.
Loctite Power Grab Express All Purpose Construction Adhesive
Loctite Power Grab Express is an all-purpose adhesive known for its instant grab strength. This feature is particularly useful for a rearview mirror installation, as it helps hold the mirror in place immediately upon application, reducing the need for prolonged pressure. The adhesive is versatile and bonds well to common construction and automotive materials like glass, metal, and plastic.
It offers a repositioning window of up to 15 minutes, providing flexibility to adjust the mirror for perfect alignment. The adhesive dries white and is paintable, though this is less relevant for a hidden bond. For a quick-setting, strong-holding liquid adhesive, this is a reliable and user-friendly option.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape
Gorilla Patch & Seal Tape is a heavyweight, waterproof sealing tape that creates a permanent, flexible bond. While typically used for repairing leaks on roofs, gutters, and pipes, its extreme durability and weather resistance translate well to demanding automotive applications. The tape instantly seals out air and moisture, which can help protect the bond from the elements.
Its thick, rubberized backing and strong adhesive allow it to conform to surfaces, filling in gaps and creating a watertight seal. For a rearview mirror, this tape offers a very robust, tape-based solution that is built to last through harsh conditions, both inside and outside the vehicle.
Permatex 81158 Black Weatherstrip Adhesive
Permatex Black Weatherstrip Adhesive is a classic in the automotive world, primarily used for attaching weatherstripping, trim, and emblems. Its formulation is designed to provide a strong, flexible bond that can withstand exposure to the elements, including water, road salts, and UV rays. The black color helps it blend in with many automotive components for a clean finish.
This adhesive is a proven performer for bonding materials to glass and metal, making it a suitable candidate for securing a rearview mirror. Its resistance to weathering and flexibility helps maintain the bond through temperature fluctuations and vehicle vibration, offering a dependable and long-lasting solution for this common repair.
Buying Guide: What to Look For in the Best Adhesives for Rearview Mirrors
I’ve fixed my fair share of dangling rearview mirrors, and let me tell you, not all adhesives are created equal. Picking the wrong one can lead to a frustrating and potentially dangerous situation where your mirror ends up on the passenger seat. When you’re looking for the best adhesives for rearview mirrors, you need to focus on a few key things to make sure your repair is permanent.
First, consider the mounting surface. Is your windshield a standard type, or does it have a special dot matrix or frit pattern around the edges? Some adhesives struggle to bond properly to these textured surfaces. For dot matrix areas, you often need an adhesive specifically formulated for the task, or a primer that helps create a smooth, bondable surface. I always check the product description to see if it mentions compatibility with these surfaces.
Next, think about the cure time. This is a big one. Instant-grab adhesives are tempting because they hold the mirror in place right away, but they often lack the long-term strength of slower-curing options. A two-part epoxy or a specialized mirror mounting tape might require you to tape the mirror in place for several hours, but the resulting bond is incredibly strong and built to last. I usually plan this for a weekend when I don’t need the car for a day.
Temperature resistance is non-negotiable. Your car’s interior experiences extreme temperature swings, from freezing cold winters to scorching hot summers baking in the sun. A good adhesive must remain flexible and strong through all of it. If it becomes brittle in the cold or softens in the heat, your mirror will fall off. I always look for products rated for a wide temperature range, typically from -40°F to over 200°F.
Finally, pay attention to the application method and clean-up. Some kits come with handy applicator pads or precise nozzles, while others are messier. You also want to know if excess adhesive can be easily removed from the glass without damaging it. A clean installation not only looks better but ensures maximum surface contact for a stronger bond. Taking the time to choose the right product from the start saves you from doing the job twice.
FAQ
How long should I wait to drive my car after gluing the rearview mirror back on?
This completely depends on the adhesive you use. For quick-set formulas, you might be able to drive carefully after 30-60 minutes. However, for the strongest, most permanent bond, many high-strength epoxies and tapes require a full 24 hours to cure completely. I always check the instructions on the package and err on the side of caution. It’s better to let it cure overnight than to have your mirror fall off while you’re driving because you rushed it.
What is the best way to prepare the windshield and mirror base for adhesive?
Proper preparation is the most important step for a successful fix. First, I use a razor blade scraper to remove every bit of the old adhesive from both the windshield and the mirror’s metal button. Then, I wipe both surfaces thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol on a clean cloth to remove any invisible oils or residue. The goal is to have two perfectly clean, dry, and smooth surfaces for the new adhesive to grip. Skipping this step is the number one reason why a new adhesive fails.
Why did my mirror fall off again even after I used a strong adhesive?
This is a common frustration. The most likely culprit is improper surface preparation, as I mentioned above. Another reason could be that the adhesive wasn’t suited for the high temperatures inside a car and softened. It’s also possible that there was movement during the critical initial cure time. If your windshield has a dot matrix pattern and you didn’t use a primer or a compatible adhesive, that can also cause failure. Re-evaluating your prep work and product choice is the key.
Can I use super glue or a generic hardware store epoxy for my rearview mirror?
I strongly advise against it. Standard super glue becomes very brittle and will shatter with the vibrations and temperature changes in a car. General-purpose epoxies aren’t formulated for the specific challenges of bonding to glass and metal in an automotive environment. They might seem to work for a little while, but they are not a reliable, long-term solution. It’s worth using a product specifically designed for this task to ensure your safety and avoid the hassle of a repeat repair.
Do I need a primer, and what does it do?
Primer is often necessary for a super-strong bond, especially on certain types of glass or if the mirror base is made of a specific plastic or coated metal. The primer essentially “etches” or chemically prepares the surface, creating a much stronger mechanical bond for the adhesive. Many professional-grade kits include a small vial of primer. If your kit has one, I always recommend using it. It only takes an extra minute and dramatically increases your chances of a permanent fix.