Sometimes, we experience small tragedies in our everyday lives. We can have petty accidents such as getting broken side mirrors. It may be something that's intentionally inflicted by vandals or something that happens accidentally while the car is parked or on the road. Either way, a city dweller in Columbus will definitely find it hard to squeeze into his busy schedule an appointment with a car repair shop just to fix a broken side mirror glass. Fortunately, there are ways to do the repair on your own. You can choose the time and place that will be most convenient for you and you can pick the materials that are sturdy but cheap.
When the glass in your side mirror gets busted, there is no need to panic. While repairing a side mirror may seem to be something that requires expert service, you can do the job just as efficiently. The first thing to do is to measure the glass size of your side mirrors. After this, go to a store that sells car parts and purchase a replacement mirror. Items like this may be readily available or may have to be shipped. In case of the latter, you can wait until the items are already on hand.
Once you have the replacement piece, clean up the side mirror with the broken glass. Remove all the broken parts carefully. You may have to use gloves to protect yourself from any possible cuts. Use a knife or any sharp object to remove the remaining paste or glue in the mirror frame. Make sure that the surface is clean and ready for the new glass.
When you already have the new glass with you, you can now purchase silicone from the auto parts store. You can use either the clear or the colored variety. To save money, you can choose a generic brand. The economic kind of silicon usually dries faster and is stronger. Ask the dealer which brands are the most saleable. Evenly apply four to six teaspoons of the silicone on the mirror plate.
Fit the side mirror glass on the plate and press gently against the frame. Allow the silicon to work as an adhesive. Gently tap the corners of the mirror to ensure that it is attaching strongly to the plate. Before completely releasing the mirror, you can use a masking tape to hold it in its position. Roll the tape around the mirror, securely fastening it to the plate. Leave it that way for four to five hours. After this period of time, the silicone will surely have hardened and your mirror will be permanently affixed to the plate.
It is now time to take off the masking tape. If there are sticky areas because of the tape, you can dab on the mirror a small amount of vinegar using a damp cloth. Use a glass cleaner to make the final polishing of the side mirror. Once you have followed these steps, your formerly broken side mirror will now look as good as new. by Eddie Frank
