C3: Side mirror glass install

[Dan Pepper]

The fellow who previously owned my '69 coupe had replaced the side RV mirror with a replacement because of the notorious "flacid mirror snydrome."

I have the original unit - and it has the correct code on the glass. I'd like to swap the correct glass into the new frame, but I don't see a snap/ratainer ring as the C2's have. How do you get the mirror out & back in?

[A L.]

Re: C3: Side mirror glass install

Leave the head surmerged in lacquer thinner over night to loosen the agent holding the glass in. I removed the glass this way on my repro mirror in order to repair the sagging. Once the glass is removed, you'll notice a flat spring attached on each end by a bradded stud. To tighten the mirror, rebrad these studs until tight again. To do this, the mirror can be placed on a piece of wood like a 2X4 with cloth between.
A.G.

[Terry M.]

Re: C3: Side mirror glass install

Dan,
Many moons ago (late 1980s or early 1990s) I did a story for The Restorer on the subject.
Soak the head of the mirror in lacquer thinner. It will take several days for the thinner to soften the silicone sealant that holds in the glass. The head will fit in the bottom of an empty gallon paint bucket, so you will only need a quart of thinner to cover the head. Cover with the paint can lid and resist the temptation to check on it for a while. It might even take three of four days, don't worry. And don't pry on the glass.
Reinstall with a good grade of UV resistant silicone sealer.
FWIW: The flaccid mirror syndrome was a characteristic of late 1969, early 1970 side view mirrors. Some of us have considered (in jest) requiring this feature of those cars presented for Bowtie judging. I would not make a deduction were a car in this range presented with this feature, in spite of its obvious safety issues.