How does this come apart without damaging it?

I took in my stainless back rearview mirror today to get the glass resilvered. The glass came out just fine, but I wanted to know if anyone has ever taken off the rubber piece that covers the glass' edge and follows on behind the glass? I am trying to replace the one that is on the mirror now, so any help appreciated. :beer

 

Mirror Restoration

I have not taken one a part but from what I've seen its not a big deal. You need to have the out side retainer warm so it is plyable using a hair dryer and work it off a corner at a time. AL

 

I've ruined a couple trying to get the rubber off. Think it's applied with heat, maybe an adhesive. Be careful with it.

 

I would be very careful to just clean the rubber in place and then apply some 303. There is a great risk of tearing the rubber ring if you try to remove it. I can R & R a mirror without ever removing it from the mount. Yes, I use a hairdryer and patience to remove the glass. It is unnecessary to remove the rubber ring from the stainless. The glass will come out without doing that. In fact, if you remove the rubber ring and tear it, it is very hard to find a donor ring that is not also torn so you may end up buying a new used mirror.

 

Jim I think you misunderstood me, I already have the mirror out. The rubber on the maplight mirror I am restoring is not in good shape, so I was trying to take off the rubber on my other non map light rearview to put it on the maplight one. So I need to know the best way to get my good one off so I can transfer it over.

 

I wonder if the chebby guys have to go through all this with their mirrors? o No:

 

The rubber is glued to the stainless. I have done it with a fresh X-acto knife and lots of patience. Still put a few nicks in the rubber, but I can live with it. (I don't get to see that side anyway, and no one can really get close enough to the backside to see them anyway)

 

If I were going to attempt it Andrew I would use an Ah stick or a pop stick with a smooth edge to gently pry the rubber edge after getting it warm with a hairdryer. An exacto knfe will nick it. I experimented on many mirrors rubbers before finally deciding on the Ah stick/ hairdryer method.

 

Maybe you can explain to me Jim what an Ah stick is? Not familiar with that term on this end of town.

 

Aaaaaaah sticks!

 

AHHHHHHHHH. That I can understand now, not that I shouldn't have before, but thanks.

 

Aka

Tongue Depresser

 

Yes indeed, I have taken apart the mirror as a whole and it was not as bad as I originally thought. Thanks for all of your help guys! :beer

 

how about a popsickle stick, instead ?

 

Yes, that will work.
Just make sure you eat the whole box so you have spare sticks in case you break one. :laugh:

 

Ah Sticks vs. Popsickle sticks

:beer But what flavor Popsicle should be on the sticks, before it is eaten, and the sticks used?