Replace Side View Mirror Glass

Replace a broken mirror quickly and easily and save the cost of a shop repair

Next Project

Introduction

Buy a precut mirror and fix the broken one on your car. The fix costs less than $20 for parts and supplies and takes only 10 minutes to complete.

Tools Required

  • Leather gloves
  • Safety glasses

Materials Required

  • Black rubber sealant
  • Precut glass mirror

Fix a Side View Mirror on Your Car

You don’t have to replace the entire side view mirror assembly just because the glass is broken. Replacing the mirror glass is a do-it-yourself project that is usually inexpensive.

Several manufacturers offer precut glass mirrors to fit vehicles of all makes and models. One is Dorman Products Inc. Our local auto parts store didn’t carry the mirror for our Ford Expedition, so we ordered it from Dorman online. You’ll also need a tube of black rubber sealant (Permatex, for example), sold at any auto parts store.

Project step-by-step (3)

Step 1

Prep the Broken Mirror

prep broken car review mirrorFamily Handyman

Start the repair by picking away as many loose pieces of the broken mirror as you can. Wear leather gloves and eye protection while doing this. You can leave the old adhesive in place. Then clean the remaining glass and the plastic mirror base with glass cleaner.

Step 2

Apply Sealant

apply sealant broken review mirror Family Handyman

The new glass comes with adhesive strips on the back, but don’t rely on those strips alone to keep the glass in place. Apply a thick bead of black rubber sealant 3/4 in. in from the perimeter of the plastic mirror retainer. Put a few large dollops of the sealant on the honeycomb portion of the plastic base and a few more on the old broken glass. Don’t apply the sealant in areas where the adhesive pads will contact the plastic base. The pads must make contact with the plastic base to hold the new glass in place while the sealant sets up. Apply the mirror to the base and into place. Use masking tape to hold the mirror in place until the sealant cures.

Step 3

Finished Result

car side view mirrorFamily Handyman

The finished project looks just like the original.

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