A loose or dangling rearview mirror is more than just an annoyance; it’s a significant safety hazard that compromises your visibility on the road. Finding the right adhesive to reattach it securely is crucial for a safe and permanent fix. With so many options on the market, from specialized kits to all-purpose glues, selecting the best one for your vehicle can be a challenge.
This guide simplifies your search by showcasing the top-performing adhesives designed for this specific task. We have evaluated professional-grade kits, fast-setting formulas, and versatile alternatives to help you restore your mirror’s stability. A properly bonded mirror ensures a clear view of the road behind you, providing the confidence and safety you need for every journey.
Our Top Picks for Rear View 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
- Permatex Rearview Mirror Adhesive, Adhesive .3ml/Primer .6ml (81844)
- 3M 03614 Plastic and Emblem Adhesive (5 fl oz)
- Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel (1 oz, 2-Pack)
- Loctite PL 37530 Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic Flexible Adhesive
Permatex 81840 Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit
For a professional-grade repair, the Permatex 81840 kit is a top choice. This two-part system includes an activator towelette and an adhesive pipette, designed to create an extremely strong and durable bond. The medical-grade towelette helps minimize mess and improves application accuracy, ensuring you apply the activator only where it’s needed.
This kit is formulated specifically for mounting rearview mirrors to windshields. Its professional strength means you can trust it to hold your mirror firmly in place, even under demanding driving conditions. The straightforward two-step process makes it accessible for both DIY enthusiasts and professional mechanics.
3M High-Bond Rearview Mirror Adhesive, 08749
3M is a trusted name in adhesives, and their High-Bond Rearview Mirror Adhesive lives up to the reputation. This two-part structural acrylic system is engineered specifically for mounting rear view mirrors. It is designed to perform reliably in high-temperature and humid environments, which are common inside a vehicle.
The adhesive offers excellent resistance to moisture, chemicals, vibration, and impact. This ensures that once your mirror is attached, it will stay put through bumps, temperature swings, and everyday use. For a durable, long-term solution from a leading manufacturer, this 3M product is an excellent option.
Visbella Rearview Mirror Adhesive Repair Kit
The Visbella Repair Kit boasts superior strength, creating a secure bond between your mirror and windshield that is noted to surpass traditional epoxy resins. A key feature is its quick repair functionality, which allows for swift and efficient fixes to get your mirror back in action with minimal downtime.
Beyond just rearview mirrors, this adhesive offers versatile application. It can be used for bonding various materials, including metal to metal, glass to glass, and glass to metal. This makes it a useful tool 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 is trusted and specified by leading auto manufacturers, giving you confidence in its quality and reliability for your vehicle repair.
This kit provides strong adhesion for bonding the mirror bracket to the windshield. It is known for its fast handling strength, making it ideal for metal mirror feet. It achieves handling strength in seconds and full mirror-mounting strength in approximately 15 minutes, allowing for a relatively quick repair process.
Permatex Rearview Mirror Adhesive (81844)
This Permatex kit offers a reliable solution with a specific ratio of adhesive and primer. The package includes .3ml of adhesive and .6ml of primer, providing the necessary components for a proper and strong bond between the mirror foot and the windshield glass.
Its compact size makes it easy to store and handle. As part of the Permatex lineup, this product is formulated to meet the demands of automotive applications, providing a dependable fix for a detached rearview mirror.
3M 03614 Plastic and Emblem Adhesive
While not exclusively for mirrors, the 3M Plastic and Emblem Adhesive is a strong and versatile option for various automotive trim applications. Its formula is designed to create a powerful bond on plastics and emblems, which can be suitable for certain types of mirror assemblies and mounts.
This adhesive comes in a larger 5 fl oz quantity, making it a good value if you have multiple automotive bonding projects. It is a trusted product for securing various components on a vehicle’s exterior and interior.
Gorilla 7700104 Super Glue Gel
Gorilla Super Glue Gel is a popular all-purpose adhesive known for its strength and no-run gel formula. The gel is particularly useful for vertical surfaces like a windshield, as it stays in place without dripping. This pack includes two 1-ounce bottles, offering good value.
It bonds quickly and firmly to a variety of materials, including metal and glass, which are the primary components of a rearview mirror assembly. For a quick, strong fix using a widely available product, this is a solid contender.
Loctite PL 37530 Vinyl, Fabric and Plastic Flexible Adhesive
The Loctite PL 37530 is a flexible adhesive designed for materials like vinyl, fabric, and plastic. Its flexibility can be an advantage in an automotive environment where vibration is constant, as it allows for some movement without the bond breaking.
This adhesive is waterproof and remains durable after curing. While it is a more general-purpose adhesive, its strength and flexibility make it a potential option for certain mirror types, especially those with plastic mounting components.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Adhesive for Your Rear View Mirror
When my own rear view mirror decided to take a nosedive onto my dashboard, I realized there’s a whole world of adhesives out there, and picking the right one is the difference between a permanent fix and a recurring headache. Let me walk you through what I look for so you can get it right the first time.
First and foremost, you need to consider the mounting surface. Is your windshield a standard type, or is it one of the newer models with advanced coatings, like those for rain-sensing wipers or infrared reflection? Some adhesives just don’t play nice with these special surfaces. For most standard glass, a high-strength, permanent adhesive is your best bet. If you have a coated windshield, you’ll need a specific product designed to bond with that material; otherwise, you’re just setting yourself up for another fall.
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 require you to apply pressure for a few minutes and can be less forgiving if you don’t get the placement perfect. On the other hand, slower-curing epoxies can offer an incredibly strong, almost unbreakable bond, but they might require you to tape the mirror in place for several hours. I always ask myself: can I leave my car parked and untouched for 12-24 hours? If not, a faster-setting option is more practical.
Temperature resistance is another silent hero. Your car’s interior experiences extreme temperature swings, from freezing cold winters to blistering hot summers baking in the sun. A cheap adhesive can become brittle in the cold or turn into goo in the heat. I always check the product specifications for a wide operating temperature range. A good adhesive should be able to handle everything from -40°F to over 200°F without losing its grip.
Finally, don’t forget the prep work. The single most important step for any adhesive is surface preparation. The best glue in the world will fail on a dirty or oily surface. Most kits come with a little packet of surface prep or cleaner. Use it! I always thoroughly clean both the button on the windshield and the mirror’s mounting plate with the provided cleaner and a clean cloth or paper towel. I make sure not to touch the cleaned surfaces with my fingers to avoid transferring oils. A proper installation guide for your 8 best adhesives for rear view mirrors will always emphasize this crucial step. Getting this right ensures the adhesive can form a perfect bond with the glass and metal, making your fix last for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait to drive my car after gluing the mirror back on?
This depends entirely on the adhesive you use. Instant-set adhesives might feel strong after 5-10 minutes of holding pressure, but I never trust them for at least an hour. For most standard rear view mirror adhesive kits, the initial hold happens quickly, but the full cure takes longer. I always recommend being super cautious. If you can, avoid driving the car for at least 4-6 hours. For the strongest, weather-resistant bond, it’s best to let it cure fully for 24 hours. Check the instructions on your specific product for its recommended handling and full-cure times.
Why did my rear view mirror fall off in the first place?
It’s almost never the mirror itself that fails; it’s the bond between the adhesive and the windshield. The most common culprit is temperature cycling. Over thousands of hot and cold cycles, the adhesive expands and contracts slightly, eventually leading to fatigue. Other reasons include an improper initial installation where the surface wasn’t perfectly clean, using an adhesive not rated for automotive glass, or an impact that breaks the seal. It’s a very common issue, so don’t feel like you did anything wrong.
Can I use super glue or another household adhesive?
I strongly advise against it. Standard super glue (cyanoacrylate) is brittle and does not handle the constant vibration and extreme temperature changes inside a car. It will almost certainly fail, often quite quickly. You need an adhesive specifically formulated for automotive glass and the high-stress environment of a vehicle. These products are engineered for flexibility, temperature resistance, and long-term durability. Using the wrong product is a safety risk and will just create more work for you down the line.
What is the best way to remove old adhesive from my windshield?
Patience is key here. You need to soften the old adhesive. I’ve found that using a plastic razor blade is the safest way to avoid scratching the glass. You can gently heat the old adhesive with a hairdryer to soften it, which makes scraping it off much easier. For any leftover residue, a small amount of a commercial adhesive remover (like Goo Gone) or even some rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth usually does the trick. Just be careful not to get any of these chemicals on your car’s dashboard or headliner, as they can cause damage.
The new adhesive isn’t sticking. What did I do wrong?
Nine times out of ten, this comes down to surface preparation. If there’s any trace of the old adhesive, oil from your skin, or glass cleaner residue on either the windshield button or the mirror mount, the new glue won’t bond properly. Go back to square one: thoroughly scrape and clean both surfaces with the prep pad or isopropyl alcohol. Ensure both surfaces are completely dry and free of any dust before you try applying the new adhesive again. A proper installation is the foundation for finding the right solution among the 8 best adhesives for rear view mirrors.