These rear view mirror adhesives get the job done quickly and efficiently.
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › High Strength Glazing Adhesive
An essential component in your vehicle's interior is the rearview mirror. It allows you to see cars and objects behind you when you're driving. The mirror is typically mounted on the windshield on a pedestal or bracket, and it requires a quick-bonding adhesive to stay in place. Check out our rear view mirror glue guide to find the best adhesive for the job.
Versachem Rear View Mirror Adhesive
Permatex Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit
The VersaChem rear view mirror kit is a two-part, easy-to-use adhesive that permanently attaches your mirror to the windshield. It's ideal for bonding metal to glass, and it takes just 30 minutes or less to remount your mirror to its bracket. It only requires one drop or a small bead of adhesive for application.
As soon as you affix the button with the adhesive to the windshield, it sticks immediately and firmly. It takes just a minute to set, and after sitting overnight the button is rock solid. The mirror stays in place during really hot days and below-freezing nights, and it holds up through hours of heavy, hard-hitting bass from your subwoofers. It also withstands the vibration, shock, and turbulence from driving a Jeep. You can adjust the mirror without worrying about peeling it off the windshield mount, and the directions are easy to follow.
Some have reported that the base of the mirror doesn't bond to the windshield, the glue doesn't harden, and the adhesive fails within a short period of time. There may also be problems if the bonding surface is plastic. The instructions don't indicate how to properly apply the primer, and it requires you to remain absolutely stationary during mounting, which can be very difficult.
This two-part kit features a professional-strength adhesive and activator. The medical-grade towelette helps with application accuracy. It provides the same strength as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products used by Ford, Chrysler, and GM and results in a permanent bond.
This product works very well as long as you follow the instructions, which are clear and straightforward. The adhesive is simple to use, is very powerful, and is long-lasting. It's also a very good value and much less expensive than some rival brands. It keeps your mirror on in hot temperatures and in direct sunlight.
However, you must follow the directions exactly or it may not work. Your window and mounting surfaces must also be extremely clean. Some users have also complained that the product fails after a short period of use.
The 3M rear view mirror adhesive and primer is a two-part system that permanently bonds a rear view mirror bracket to the windshield glass. It begins to harden in 60 minutes and takes 24 hours to completely cure. It can be applied in temperatures ranging from zero to 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
The adhesive firmly and quickly attaches your mirror to the windshield, and it holds tight after a prolonged period of time. The instructions are easy to follow, and it's set and cured within a day. It continues to adhere when exposed to hot temperatures, and there is enough adhesive in the package to apply it three times. It also bonds metal to plastic.
Some have reported that the adhesive doesn't provide a good seal between the mirror button and the glass, causing failure. Also, you may need to use more glue than is recommended to ensure the mirror stays put. In addition, positioning the mirror may be difficult if you don't get it on the first try.
This clear epoxy is another great product from Permatex. It comes with a two-part dispensing syringe that sets in five minutes. It is water- and solvent-resistant, making it easier to apply across multiple jobs. While this is great to fix your rear view mirror problem, you can also continue to use it for your other projects.
It can also bond ceramic, chrome, fabric, fiberglass, glass, hard plastic, metal, and rubber. It is very cheap, so you don’t get a whole lot of product. But you don’t need much for the type of fine detail jobs you will use this for. When bonding a rear view mirror, five minutes is a lot of time to hold something in place, so be sure you are prepared. It is another 10 minutes before what you bonded is safe to handle and then 24 hours for a full cure to reach its top strength.
You do have to mix together the resin and hardener, which can be a dangerous process if not handled properly. Despite the detailed process for this, if done correctly, it is highly effective.
While more expensive than other products, this super epoxy from PC Products is definitely of a higher quality. It can be used on your rear view mirror as well as other projects involving wood, metal, glass, brick, concrete, and fiberglass. It cures translucently, so it won’t be noticed.
It is also highly temperature-resistant, ensuring it will have a long life and your fix won’t fall apart. It bonds so well that you can even drill, sand, saw, and paint after it’s fully cured. The product comes with two syringes to apply the epoxy.
You will have to do some mixing of the product, so be very careful when handling this super epoxy. It can take it up to 24 hours to fully cure, depending on your project. For the rear view mirror, you are looking at a three to four hour cure time. While a bit more expensive than other products, it is still under $20 and not a big purchase.
This product from JB Weld is cheap, but you don’t end up losing on quality. Coming in various sizes, this is a 3900 PSI strength Epoxy that sets within five minutes and cures within one hour. It dries clear and can be used on tile, most plastics, ceramic, glass, and wood.
It is a two-part epoxy that you must, like the ones before, mix yourself. It is great for both large and small jobs, so no matter the size of your rearview mirror, you should have no trouble setting it.
It does take five minutes to set, so you will have to hold the mirror during that time or the attachment that goes on your windshield. The product itself likely doesn’t last over a year and will dry up. There are some reports of it not working too well on certain jobs or materials. Of course, the dispensing and mixing of the epoxy is a critical step, so ensure you get it right to get a long-lasting job.
Gorilla is well-known in the world of glue products. This two-part epoxy could be the perfect solution for your rear view mirror issue. Just like other epoxy products, you must mix the liquids in equal parts and then apply, so be very careful. It is great across multiple surfaces, dries clear, and is solvent-resistant.
It typically sets within five minutes, but cure time can depend upon your project. It is also water-resistant, giving you peace of mind that it will last a long time. The product design keeps the resin and hardener separate so it won’t dry out over time.
You likely won’t have to worry about a faulty product with Gorilla. You can also get this product in an epoxy stick if you don’t want to worry about the detailed—and often smelly—mixing. Sometimes it can take days to fully harden, so you will need to be careful until then. It also sets very quickly, so be sure you are confident when you place the pieces together.
The Loctite Rearview Mirror Adhesive is designed specifically to secure a rear view mirror bracket to a windshield. GM, Ford, and Daimler-Chrysler use this adhesive, which comes in a small tube with an activator. The product takes just 15 minutes to cure, after which the bracket can be safely handled. The glue will permanently bond the mirror to the windshield.
This product works well as long as you follow the directions. You don't need to use much of the adhesive for it to be effective, and users report that the mirror stays on nice and tight following application. The mirror should stay in place even during a heatwave and in humid conditions.
However, some users had to do two applications to make their mirrors stick properly to the windshield. Also, some substance may squeeze out over the edges, which you may want to scrape off for aesthetic purposes
Our pick for the best rear view mirror glue is the Versachem Rear View Mirror Adhesive. It takes just 30 minutes or less to remount your mirror to its bracket, and it sticks immediately and firmly. The mirror stays in place during fluctuating temperatures, and the directions are easy to follow.
For a less expensive option, consider the Permatex Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit.
Nearly all rear view mirror kits are two-part systems that include both an adhesive and an activator. The activator hastens the handling and setting of the product, and typically you'll get better results if you apply the activator before using the adhesive. Keep in mind that the adhesive and activator can irritate the skin and eyes.
3M began as a small-scale mining venture in Northern Minnesota over a century ago in 1902. The company operates in 70 countries and produces more than 60,000 products. One popular product is the 3M Rearview Mirror Adhesive.
WORKTECH, based in Chino, Calif., has been producing chemical products in the OEM and ODM markets since 1992. The company manufactures gasket makers, sealants, thread lockers, adhesives, and repair kits. One top product is the WORKTECH Adhesives and Sealants Professional Rearview Mirror Repair.
Permatex, founded in 1909 and based in Hartford, Conn., manufacturers premium chemical products for automotive maintenance and repair as well as the home and hardware markets. Products include gasket makers, sealants, hand cleaners, thread lockers, adhesives, cleaners, repair kits, and lubricants. One recommended product is the Permatex Extreme Rearview Mirror Professional Strength Adhesive Kit.
Pro Seal Automotive Products is under the Super Glue Corporation umbrella, which got its start with hobby airplane kits. Cyanoacrylates (the chemical name for the glue) was first sold commercially in 1958. The company is based in Ontario, Calif., and it produces various bonding materials, including high-performance engineering adhesives in addition to super glue. One top product is the Pro Seal Instant Adhesive.
VersaChem has been manufacturing advanced adhesive, sealing, and automotive repair solutions for over 35 years. The company produces self-mixing syringes, dispensing tubes, control nozzles, spray cans, cartridges, sticks, and all-inclusive repair kits. One top product is the Versachem Rear View Mirror Adhesive.
The best adhesive for rear view mirrors will be heat-resistant. A vehicle's windshield can get very hot and is frequently exposed to sunlight while you're driving and when you park the car for prolonged periods of time. If the glue doesn't securely bond the mirror to the glass, it can separate from the windshield. Also, the glue has to be resistant to vibration on bumpy roads and maintain its strong bond in humid conditions.
Rear view mirror glue contains compounds that are resistant to heat, moisture, vibrations, chemicals, and impact. Super glue, while fast-acting, does not have the same properties to resist heat, moisture, etc.
It depends on the brand of glue you use, but in general it takes between one and 120 seconds for handling, five to 60 minutes for curing, and at least 24 hours to obtain maximum tensile strength.
Remove the old glue from the mirror and the glass. Use a solvent to clean the glass. In older vehicles, the mirror may attach directly to the windshield. In newer models, you need to remove the metal button from the mirror assembly. Apply adhesive to the mounting button and press it onto the glass. Hold the button in place as long as the directions specify. Wait the designated time before reinstalling the mirror on the button.
It depends on the brand. Some glue does a good job of bonding plastic to plastic or plastic to metal and can be used for other various purposes. Others work best bonding metal to glass.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Sign Up For Our Newsletters
The chronicle of car culture, delivered to your inbox.
© 2023 Recurrent Ventures. All Rights Reserved.
Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.
Pu Foam Some benefits of our Car Shopping program may not be available in your area. Please see terms for details.