Steve Campbell Posted August 29, 2000 Share Posted August 29, 2000 Simple question .... my rear view mirror has fallen off. What's best for sticking it back on ... semi-permanently (ie if I ever want to remove it I don't want a new windscreen !!!!) Can you buy "special stuff" ? Cheers Steve Campbell P889 GRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R500 CYA Posted August 29, 2000 Share Posted August 29, 2000 Hi Steve, Mine fell off too! Halfords have a pack of two super sticky mirror double sided tapes (it's in with all the quality blind spot and baby monitoring/ scaring mirrors). Yours for £2.99, no glueing and you can take the mirror off if you don't like what you see! ;) Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted August 29, 2000 Share Posted August 29, 2000 Hi Steve, I wanted to alter the mirror anyway because being 6' 3" I sit fairly high in the car. I found that my vision (of the apex) on left handers was obscured so the only option was to stoop down or peer over the 'screen. What was req. was a less wide mirror. Our friends at Halfords do a small mirror that has a suction cup base that can be 'locked'in place but easily removed when required (but doesn't fall off!). It was also not as wide as the std. Caterham issue & therefore gave better forward vision too!!! I think they are normally for use as a secondary mirror to keep a eye on the kids in the back of tin tops. They are made by 'Stadium Products'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 Why bother with an internal mirror at all. The law does not require one and it gets in the way. I got rid of mine within the first couple of weeks of building the car as I couldn't see through any left hand corners. I've tried the 'Halfords' mirror, but found the field of vision so smal taht it didn't add anything to safety. Cheers Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Walker Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 I found the mirror fell off a few times when I first got the car and the reason I reckon was excessive use of the heated windscreen which heated the glue up. It hasn't fallen off in the last 5 years and I haven't used the heated screen in the last 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgracing Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 I tried the glue/pad combinations from Halfords (their own and Loctite) and they both fell off immediately. The sticky pads I got from Charlie Browns (in desperation) are excellent and lasted longer than the windscreen (although I did hit a tree). About 1GBP for a couple of pads, so you get a spare. The standard mirror can be turned through 180 degrees to give a slightly higher position. When competing I also flip the mirror up out of the way and some guys turn them vertically. Davebo C7 CAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie_boy69 Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 When fitting your mirror it does'nt have to be in the middle if you fit it quite a way over on the left you can still see behind you and you can stilll see your left front wheel . Keith Pickering superlight T7 KCP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 I have used Halfords quick setting epoxy. It gives strong semi-permanent bond without being too strong ie if you really clout the mirror it still comes unglued. You need to clean off the old glue from the back off the mirror, and the glass, I find Hammerite thinners are good. Also be prepared to hold the mirror in place for about 5 mins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JampJ Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 I too find the mirror restricts the view so i am thinking about fitting a chrome one on the scuttle.Anyone tried this? C7 POW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 Yes. It didn't work as I couldn't see over the hood bag, or see the front near side wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Campbell Posted August 30, 2000 Author Share Posted August 30, 2000 Thanks for all the help. I haven't yet got anything to stick it back on but might try a few weeks without one as Graham has suggested and see how I get on. I didn't know you don't legally need one. I was sat in the car tonight trying to decide where I would position it (if I refit it) as I'm 6'1" and have difficulty seeing left hand apex's. The best position seems to be in the middle about 3 inches above the base of the screen. In this position I can see over the hoodbag (& my shoulder) & I think the tonnau cover will fit OK. I couldn't be bothered to get the hood out. Will I be able to see backwards with the hood on ? Anyone got the mirror in this position ? Cheers, PS Keith .. If I set the mirror way over to the left my wife will keep adjusting it to see if her hair is TOTALLY messed up !!smile.gifwink.gif Steve Campbell P889 GRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgracing Posted August 31, 2000 Share Posted August 31, 2000 Yup. One of the academy boys has a full rollcage and to get the best rear viwe without obscuring the front of the car he's placed his mirror off centre and a few inches above the scuttle. If anyone's remotely interested I'll take some footage this weekend and make it available somehwere. Davebo C7 CAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted August 31, 2000 Share Posted August 31, 2000 I have had some success from re-siting the mirror onto the dashboard (carbon). It gets it a bit lower than the scuttle-top mounting and gives a better view underneath the FIA bar cross brace and an unrestricted view into left hand corners. I had an experience a couple of years ago when I shared a VX race Caterham for a couple of days on a training course and I couldn't understand why one of my sessions had gone appallingly badly, until I realised that my co-driver had repositioned the mirror centrally rather than off to the left where I preferred it (it was on a swing arm arrangement). All the comments about putting the mirror off to the left seem to be good advice, although it doesn't help your rearward view when carrying a passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Wheeler Posted August 31, 2000 Share Posted August 31, 2000 The windscreen mirror may not be a legal requirement but I wouldnt recommend not having one, last time mine dropped off I did not see the motorcycle cop behind me as I razzed around the Cheshire lanes. He claimed that he had been trying to catch me for several miles and only managed that when I came to lights. That cost me a fixed penalty, he must have been in a good mood because he could have thrown the book at me. My mirror is now firmly stuck on with superglue!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bl0498 Posted September 1, 2000 Share Posted September 1, 2000 My mirror kept falling off - fixed it by gently heating up the adhesive pad with a standard heat gun before affixing it to the screen. Hasn't come off since (3 years)! Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Campbell Posted September 10, 2000 Author Share Posted September 10, 2000 Just a quick update. I tried the Halford standard stickies. Cleaned the back of the mirror & the windscreen thoroughly. Heated the windscreen using the heater (& the sun !!) Placed the sticky pad on the back of the mirror and heated it using the trusty gas rings in the kitchen. It seems firmly STUCK thumbsup.gif! Thanks for all the advice. I'll let you know if it falls off with time !!! Steve Campbell P889 GRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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