Lexan lens rear view mirror.

Keeping it sharp - paint, wax, detailing, etc.
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wizard124
Posts: 752
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA

Lexan lens rear view mirror.

Post by wizard124 »

My inside rear view mirror was filthy on the inside, almost to the point of being useless (at night, it was useless).

So, I popped it off the windshield frame to better figure out how to tear it apart.:
Image

For those that haven't attempted this, the outer plastic frame is snapped into position by 4 tabs, 2 upper and 2 lower. Easy to remove and can be done while still attached to the windshield frame. Unfortunately, my thumb got in the way and I broke the outer glass. :evil:

I have never tried to cut glass so I thought I would give it a go. I used an old piece of picture frame glass and etched it with a Dremel grinding wheel. Even though I had cut into the glass a pretty deep outline, when I broke it free, the cut wandered and didn't follow the trace. :evil:
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I tried this one more time before giving up on this approach. The Dremel wheels erode down quickly. This attempt also resulted in a crack. I think, due to overheating the glass during the grind. Off to the hardware store. Instead of trying to find a bit to cut glass, I decided to try cutting clear plastic. I bought a small piece of non-glare plastic. It cut easily but it turned out to be opaque/blurred when used in the mirror. :evil: Trial and error.......
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The 4th try was the charm :D Another trip to the hardware store. This time for clear Lexan. This is a bit thicker than the non-glare and played into the decision not to buy it the first time. :? It cut more easily. I needed to grind it a bit narrower to make it fit behind the tabs in the frame housing:

Image


The mirror cleaned up well, showing a little patina. It snapped back together and back onto the windshield frame. Good-to-go :D
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Lexan lens rear view mirror.

Post by fiat218 »

Did your mirror shake when you drove the car
Viberate in any ways? If so how did you fix it
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
wizard124
Posts: 752
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA

Re: Lexan lens rear view mirror.

Post by wizard124 »

No vibration..just dirty.

The picture doesn't show it but there are 2 small rubber things that seem to apply pressure to the mirror.
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: Lexan lens rear view mirror.

Post by fiat218 »

Well one of my mirrors have that, they kinda sat on the edge. But the other 2 are not like that,but I have one with a wire like spring under the lense, that one was way differnt
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
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