Author Topic: Do I need specific glass to replace the missing glass in my heated wing mirrors?  (Read 5033 times)

Offline SRGTD

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Does no one else leave the mirror adjuster in L for the reverse dipping?

Yes, I do. ‘L’ is my default position for the mirror adjuster. I only move it from ‘L’;
  • when I need to clear mist from the mirrors. When they’re clear (usually takes just a few seconds), I move it back to ‘L’.
  • to fold the mirrors in to make it easier to get into my garage. I move the adjuster straight back to ‘L’ as soon as I next reverse out of the garage.
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Offline Guzzle

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I suspect the issue may be the heating and freezing of the adhesive over time causing expansion and contraction.
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Offline Lordie

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I suspect the issue may be the heating and freezing of the adhesive over time causing expansion and contraction.

Yep this is exactly what I'd say too. Plus the fact that it's clearly not fixed on as strong as it should be from the factory if there are this many issues. And to settle the argument, mine just randomly fell off on a sunny day after the car was left sitting for a few weeks during the first lockdown, heating function wasn't on.

Not sure why people are even considering using glue, thats just mad!. What happens if the glass cracked and you needed to replace it? You'd rip the heating pad apart. If anything use an extremely thin layer of clear silicone as that can be removed.
Also if you use an adhesive backed mirror the area you're sticking it to should be cleaned and dried before applying

Offline willni

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Not sure why people are even considering using glue, thats just mad!. What happens if the glass cracked and you needed to replace it? You'd rip the heating pad apart. If anything use an extremely thin layer of clear silicone as that can be removed.
Also if you use an adhesive backed mirror the area you're sticking it to should be cleaned and dried before applying

I think you're a little bit confused on the part. The entire glass, heating element, plastic fixture is a single unit which VW sell for around £35 (price could be different now, been 2 or 3 years since I needed one). So if you glue it back together, you're not damaging anything that's not already damaged.

Note - To remove the mirror glass it takes under a minute with a trim tool and a pair of pliers.


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Offline rajb

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Does no one else leave the mirror adjuster in L for the reverse dipping?

Yes, I do. ‘L’ is my default position for the mirror adjuster. I only move it from ‘L’;
  • when I need to clear mist from the mirrors. When they’re clear (usually takes just a few seconds), I move it back to ‘L’.
  • to fold the mirrors in to make it easier to get into my garage. I move the adjuster straight back to ‘L’ as soon as I next reverse out of the garage.

This pretty much what I do. Default is L as I prefer it to dip every time to ensure I don’t curb the alloys lol.

Offline Ej1749

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  • Hey all! I may need some help.
Yeah I scrapped the glue, cleaned with an alcohol wipe, let it dry for a minute and then straight on with the sticky pad that came with the glass. Works perfectly, I didn't realise how hot the mirrors got until I tested it yesterday, when I compared it to the other side that has the genuine glass in it. Also, the new non OEM glass heats up just as much as the other side which is good news!


I suspect the issue may be the heating and freezing of the adhesive over time causing expansion and contraction.

Yep this is exactly what I'd say too. Plus the fact that it's clearly not fixed on as strong as it should be from the factory if there are this many issues. And to settle the argument, mine just randomly fell off on a sunny day after the car was left sitting for a few weeks during the first lockdown, heating function wasn't on.

Not sure why people are even considering using glue, thats just mad!. What happens if the glass cracked and you needed to replace it? You'd rip the heating pad apart. If anything use an extremely thin layer of clear silicone as that can be removed.
Also if you use an adhesive backed mirror the area you're sticking it to should be cleaned and dried before applying
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Offline Lordie

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I think you're a little bit confused on the part. The entire glass, heating element, plastic fixture is a single unit which VW sell for around £35 (price could be different now, been 2 or 3 years since I needed one). So if you glue it back together, you're not damaging anything that's not already damaged.

Note - To remove the mirror glass it takes under a minute with a trim tool and a pair of pliers.

I swear this thread just about the mirror glass alone and not the glass with the heating unit?

My mirror glass fell out and the heating part was still perfectly attached. The £60 quote I got from VW was for the glass alone. I bought replacement mirror glass from Ebay with an adhesive back and it stuck straight to the heating pad fine, I wouldn't dare put glue on that.

Offline Mikeyd1

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Reading this thread and mine fell out today drivers side, I just stuck it back on with some 3 m double sided foam tape. I will get a replacement if it’s gets loose or falls out again
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