rearview mirror glass replacement

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1983Pinin
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Your car is a: 1983 Pininfarina

rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby 1983Pinin » Sun Aug 14, 2016 11:07 am

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
--Peter

1960 something 850 Spider in 1974-1976
1970 something 124 Spider 1977-1980
Currently 1983 Spider 2000

njspider
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby njspider » Sun Aug 14, 2016 11:45 am

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.

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RRoller123
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby RRoller123 » Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:08 am

+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.
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DieselSpider
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby DieselSpider » Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:33 am

RRoller123 wrote:+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.

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1983Pinin
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby 1983Pinin » Mon Aug 15, 2016 3:46 pm

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
--Peter

1960 something 850 Spider in 1974-1976
1970 something 124 Spider 1977-1980
Currently 1983 Spider 2000

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1983Pinin
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby 1983Pinin » Mon Aug 15, 2016 3:59 pm

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.
--Peter

1960 something 850 Spider in 1974-1976
1970 something 124 Spider 1977-1980
Currently 1983 Spider 2000

Funcar
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Your car is a: 1972 Fiat Spider 124
Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada

Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby Funcar » Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:15 pm

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?
Glen
Kitchener ON Canada
73 Fiat Spider 124

DieselSpider
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby DieselSpider » Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:43 pm

1983Pinin wrote: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.

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1983Pinin
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby 1983Pinin » Fri Aug 19, 2016 5:54 pm

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
--Peter

1960 something 850 Spider in 1974-1976
1970 something 124 Spider 1977-1980
Currently 1983 Spider 2000

Funcar
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby Funcar » Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:35 pm

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.

Image

Image

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.

Image

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.
Glen
Kitchener ON Canada
73 Fiat Spider 124

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Dawgme85
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Your car is a: 1977 124 Spider - Shelob
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby Dawgme85 » Sun Aug 21, 2016 8:43 pm

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.
1977 Spider 1800 (SHELOB - driver)
1970 124 Sport Spider (99% complete barn find, now in my garage, awaiting restoration)

DieselSpider
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Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby DieselSpider » Mon Aug 22, 2016 1:00 pm

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

bjbrown
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby bjbrown » Tue Jan 24, 2017 8:18 pm

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).
Boise, Idaho
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1972 Sport Spider 850

bobplyler
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Re: rearview mirror glass replacement

Postby bobplyler » Tue Jan 24, 2017 9:49 pm

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