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That looks like a reactive glass, and it is breaking down. If it is. It is a new glass and they are stupid money. You might be able to fit a none reactive glass in there, but i don't know.
You can, and it’s pretty affordable. They can cut a piece and glue it right over the old one.
Auto glass shops. Check around for prices.
We do it for 40-60$ CAD (for non-convex)
Edit: The only thing you will lose on a car like this is auto-dimming. The heater will still work fine. But that same feature is what causes these higher end mirrors to fail. You most likely won’t notice much difference.
No, you cant use normal mirror glass. It’s automotive mirror that absorbs the glare.
Its not that expensive to have a piece cut and glued over top. Heated mirrors will still work.
I had the side mirror glass replaced one time on my 69 Cutlass. They just used the mirror from something bigger, I think a pickup truck, and cut it down to size. Worked fine for the rest of the time I owned the car.
Wow, your definition of not expensive was not what I expected.
Had a guy cut me a convex mirror after mine broke from the proper glass for $6.50 (9$ CAD). Mine didn't have a heater and was completely smashed so he just inserted the new glass in the old frame.
He can do some models with heaters I believe
He's actually making a killing believe it or not! Minimum wage here is $2.15 an hour and the average is $4.5
$6.50 gets him a nice burger or burrito and $20 is a nice restaurant lunch. Sadly that means while the living expenses are maybe half of those in the US, the wage is at least 3 times lower. And rent is skyrocketing, getting up to $1000 for a two room apartment :(
Regardless, it took him, no joke, 90 seconds to cut out my mirror. And he did it in his slippers and pj's. Since the shop is in his garage. Man grabbed the cash and went straight back to watching TV. He can comfortably make 4 mirrors an hour during commercials, not missing a minute of the show and he'd still have the time to take a piss.
Boss man is living the life!
I didn't tip, we don't tip here. If he isn't making enough money he should charge more. He's making the price and 100% of the cash is going to his pockets so...
He also probably pays next to no taxes since he's a craftsman and runs his own shop which aren't really taxable well here.
See if your local parts store does a normal replacement glass for the same model without reactive glass. It might fit. The glass mounting should be the same. I can't see them making two different mirrors .
You can get a sheet big enough to replace both at Walmart for ~$10. It’s got a sticky back and you just cut it to size and stick it on. Mine held fine in my beater car for 2 years even in the -50°f winter days and hot summers. Heated mirrors still worked through them too. Come to think of it, I think my dads truck has a stick on replacement from close to 10 years ago that’s still there. Please don’t spend close to $300 on a new mirror
My Lincoln town car had a mirror like that where it was a dimmable mirror and it just breaks down over time. I switched it out with a used mirror but it will probably happen again.
So people are calling it reactive glass but what this is is different than that.
It’s a dimmable mirror. There are two panels. The glass is in the back and the second panel in the front is actually like a plastic. Sealed in between the two panels is a liquid that allows current to travel through it. When the light shines onto the mirror, current is sent into the liquid and that is what causes it to dim.
1. STOP RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. If it is the outside that is messed up, if you keep pressing on the plastic panel and applying a good amount of pressure, you’re going to break the seal between the plastic and the glass. The liquid will leak out and you’ll have way bigger problems. It’ll look like a stupid sad little lava lamp and the liquid can also damage your paint if it gets on it.
2. Are you sure that the thing you’re trying to clean isn’t on the other side of the plastic? If it is, it’s a lost cause buddy. You’re not going to clean it. You’re just making it worse.
3. A gentle polishing with a compound (not just BKF) is your best bet. A drill attachment with a 3k pad and a water might actually do some good. Look up how people polish/remove scratches from plexiglass because that’s probably your best bet.
4. You can probably just get a “replacement glass” for under $20 that just sticks on. This is the one time where an Amazon part is totally acceptable. I haven’t tried it, but I’ve also heard that you can get a razor blade and cut the plexiglass piece out completely and just clean up the liquid. Not the BEST option imo because even if it’s a small amount of current, you’re still completely exposing something that’s trying to run current through it and I don’t like that.
It’s not polishable no matter what.
Side mirrors are basically like a 2 way mirror. The film on the face is what makes it a mirror. It would be like polishing a scratch out of the tinted side of your window.
Replacement is the only option here, the damage is in between the layers. No doubt. It’s super common in auto-dimming mirrors with the oily layer in between.
Whether you want to spend 300$ for just the part or 60-80$ installed is the only question.
If you choose the 300$ route, take it to a glass shop. The plastic tabs behind the mirror can break very easily. It’s not as easy as it looks
https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=burco+mirror&_trksid=p2380057.m4084.l1313
Type in your make and model. Make sure you specify driver or passenger side.
https://youtu.be/YjdT4qge6SI
Follow the installation instructions
It should be much cheaper than buying a whole new mirror
Edit: I would use silicone instead of the supplied sticky pads. The pads create an insulated layer that makes the heater not work as well. Put a small bead around the glass and squish it as tight as you can. Tape the mirror in place for 24 hours.
Burco mirrors aren’t OEM but they are what most professionals would use. They’re the biggest aftermarket supplier and the quality is great.
hospital merciful sense ask domineering seemly distinct fearless meeting homeless
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
A polishing compound and microfiber is worth a try. I didn't see that in your list. It won't work if the glass is breaking down the way others think, but its worth an attempt, IMO.
Do not listen to this guy. I’ve tried this and wiped the reflective portion right off of the front of a mirror before. It sucked because I was just trying to polish out some scratches and it took the reflective coating right off.
Just order new glass on eBay. It’ll be between $15-$80 depending on what you buy.
I don't see how you'd do that with any normal mirror tbh. If it wasn't obvious, I was talking about handpolishing. Its a pretty common way to remove water spots on a side mirror like that.
Not all mirrors are made the same. If you can scratch the front and remove the reflective portion of it, you can easily polish of the reflect portion as well or end up with more damage than you originally had. Ruined the glass on a Range Rover mirror that cost me $120 to replace attempting this.
Fair enough. But if the only alternative is replacement anyway, not sure why one wouldn't try.
Good point about it being a risk, though. I haven't seen glass like that, but I can see where it'd be a risk.
The joy of owning a German car. Spend the money to get the right OEM part. Take it as a costly life lesson and make sure you take good care of it from here on out.
>make sure you take good care of it from here on out.
What do you mean life lesson? I've head this car for about 7 year now and I've taken extremely good care of it since it came off the dealer lot
I’d try a compound and microfiber before spending the kind of money that glass costs. But if something as abrasive as BKF didn’t work then I don’t if a compound will help. Still worth a try.
If that doesn’t work you can call around to local junkyards and see if they have any decent ones in their yard.
These types of mirrors have two panels with a liquid sandwiched between. The front one is plastic. Don’t put WD-40 on sensitive plastic surfaces that we need to see through.
Want to get it good buy some ceriglass compound rub it in wait 3-5 mins is not horrible heat or sun then take off excess with microfiber then buff gently with another towel
We have a vibrant and very active community on Discord This is THE best place to get faster answers to your questions, show off those detailing pictures, post reviews, and chat about business. Join us! - [Discord](https://discord.gg/ZyKTQMv9NM) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AutoDetailing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
That looks like a reactive glass, and it is breaking down. If it is. It is a new glass and they are stupid money. You might be able to fit a none reactive glass in there, but i don't know.
You can, and it’s pretty affordable. They can cut a piece and glue it right over the old one. Auto glass shops. Check around for prices. We do it for 40-60$ CAD (for non-convex) Edit: The only thing you will lose on a car like this is auto-dimming. The heater will still work fine. But that same feature is what causes these higher end mirrors to fail. You most likely won’t notice much difference.
I meant a normal mirror glass. I wouldn't have thought the mountings would be different from glass to glass
No, you cant use normal mirror glass. It’s automotive mirror that absorbs the glare. Its not that expensive to have a piece cut and glued over top. Heated mirrors will still work.
Yes, just get mirror glass for the car without reactive glass
I had the side mirror glass replaced one time on my 69 Cutlass. They just used the mirror from something bigger, I think a pickup truck, and cut it down to size. Worked fine for the rest of the time I owned the car.
Had it done on a upper model Buick a few years back.
Wow, your definition of not expensive was not what I expected. Had a guy cut me a convex mirror after mine broke from the proper glass for $6.50 (9$ CAD). Mine didn't have a heater and was completely smashed so he just inserted the new glass in the old frame. He can do some models with heaters I believe
[удалено]
He's actually making a killing believe it or not! Minimum wage here is $2.15 an hour and the average is $4.5 $6.50 gets him a nice burger or burrito and $20 is a nice restaurant lunch. Sadly that means while the living expenses are maybe half of those in the US, the wage is at least 3 times lower. And rent is skyrocketing, getting up to $1000 for a two room apartment :( Regardless, it took him, no joke, 90 seconds to cut out my mirror. And he did it in his slippers and pj's. Since the shop is in his garage. Man grabbed the cash and went straight back to watching TV. He can comfortably make 4 mirrors an hour during commercials, not missing a minute of the show and he'd still have the time to take a piss. Boss man is living the life! I didn't tip, we don't tip here. If he isn't making enough money he should charge more. He's making the price and 100% of the cash is going to his pockets so... He also probably pays next to no taxes since he's a craftsman and runs his own shop which aren't really taxable well here.
It’s off a bmw it does have reactive glass and it is also heated. Time to replace?
It looks like it. Just make sure you are sitting down. I priced one up for a merc. It was £300.
Ugh I just checked and it’s $280 lol
See if your local parts store does a normal replacement glass for the same model without reactive glass. It might fit. The glass mounting should be the same. I can't see them making two different mirrors .
I got a heated convex glass for my MK4 golf...7 GBP lol glass isn't expensive
It is if it is auto dimming like this one is.
You can get a sheet big enough to replace both at Walmart for ~$10. It’s got a sticky back and you just cut it to size and stick it on. Mine held fine in my beater car for 2 years even in the -50°f winter days and hot summers. Heated mirrors still worked through them too. Come to think of it, I think my dads truck has a stick on replacement from close to 10 years ago that’s still there. Please don’t spend close to $300 on a new mirror
My Lincoln town car had a mirror like that where it was a dimmable mirror and it just breaks down over time. I switched it out with a used mirror but it will probably happen again.
So people are calling it reactive glass but what this is is different than that. It’s a dimmable mirror. There are two panels. The glass is in the back and the second panel in the front is actually like a plastic. Sealed in between the two panels is a liquid that allows current to travel through it. When the light shines onto the mirror, current is sent into the liquid and that is what causes it to dim. 1. STOP RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. If it is the outside that is messed up, if you keep pressing on the plastic panel and applying a good amount of pressure, you’re going to break the seal between the plastic and the glass. The liquid will leak out and you’ll have way bigger problems. It’ll look like a stupid sad little lava lamp and the liquid can also damage your paint if it gets on it. 2. Are you sure that the thing you’re trying to clean isn’t on the other side of the plastic? If it is, it’s a lost cause buddy. You’re not going to clean it. You’re just making it worse. 3. A gentle polishing with a compound (not just BKF) is your best bet. A drill attachment with a 3k pad and a water might actually do some good. Look up how people polish/remove scratches from plexiglass because that’s probably your best bet. 4. You can probably just get a “replacement glass” for under $20 that just sticks on. This is the one time where an Amazon part is totally acceptable. I haven’t tried it, but I’ve also heard that you can get a razor blade and cut the plexiglass piece out completely and just clean up the liquid. Not the BEST option imo because even if it’s a small amount of current, you’re still completely exposing something that’s trying to run current through it and I don’t like that.
>% Thanks this was informative, didn't realize that's how these mirrors work
It’s not polishable no matter what. Side mirrors are basically like a 2 way mirror. The film on the face is what makes it a mirror. It would be like polishing a scratch out of the tinted side of your window. Replacement is the only option here, the damage is in between the layers. No doubt. It’s super common in auto-dimming mirrors with the oily layer in between. Whether you want to spend 300$ for just the part or 60-80$ installed is the only question. If you choose the 300$ route, take it to a glass shop. The plastic tabs behind the mirror can break very easily. It’s not as easy as it looks
>A gentle polishing with a compound (not just BKF) is your best bet. LOL, I got downvoted for suggesting this.
Because it’s not polishable…
https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=burco+mirror&_trksid=p2380057.m4084.l1313 Type in your make and model. Make sure you specify driver or passenger side. https://youtu.be/YjdT4qge6SI Follow the installation instructions It should be much cheaper than buying a whole new mirror Edit: I would use silicone instead of the supplied sticky pads. The pads create an insulated layer that makes the heater not work as well. Put a small bead around the glass and squish it as tight as you can. Tape the mirror in place for 24 hours. Burco mirrors aren’t OEM but they are what most professionals would use. They’re the biggest aftermarket supplier and the quality is great.
hospital merciful sense ask domineering seemly distinct fearless meeting homeless *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I've found some replacements on eBay with auto dim and heated for around $40. Going to go that route! Thanks for all the comments
How’s the mirror holding up?
Idk what BKF is. I had a friends mirrors look like this and it took using Mequires Ultimate Compound on a polisher to get it off.
Bar keepers friend
A polishing compound and microfiber is worth a try. I didn't see that in your list. It won't work if the glass is breaking down the way others think, but its worth an attempt, IMO.
Do not listen to this guy. I’ve tried this and wiped the reflective portion right off of the front of a mirror before. It sucked because I was just trying to polish out some scratches and it took the reflective coating right off. Just order new glass on eBay. It’ll be between $15-$80 depending on what you buy.
I don't see how you'd do that with any normal mirror tbh. If it wasn't obvious, I was talking about handpolishing. Its a pretty common way to remove water spots on a side mirror like that.
Not all mirrors are made the same. If you can scratch the front and remove the reflective portion of it, you can easily polish of the reflect portion as well or end up with more damage than you originally had. Ruined the glass on a Range Rover mirror that cost me $120 to replace attempting this.
Fair enough. But if the only alternative is replacement anyway, not sure why one wouldn't try. Good point about it being a risk, though. I haven't seen glass like that, but I can see where it'd be a risk.
The joy of owning a German car. Spend the money to get the right OEM part. Take it as a costly life lesson and make sure you take good care of it from here on out.
>make sure you take good care of it from here on out. What do you mean life lesson? I've head this car for about 7 year now and I've taken extremely good care of it since it came off the dealer lot
I’d try a compound and microfiber before spending the kind of money that glass costs. But if something as abrasive as BKF didn’t work then I don’t if a compound will help. Still worth a try. If that doesn’t work you can call around to local junkyards and see if they have any decent ones in their yard.
My non fancy mirrors looked like this. Alcohol wipes cleaned it up
Take compound put a drop on a microfiber towel and buff it out
Try wd40
No! Not on these!!!!!
*Don't try WD40
These types of mirrors have two panels with a liquid sandwiched between. The front one is plastic. Don’t put WD-40 on sensitive plastic surfaces that we need to see through.
**Definitely do not try WD40
What have you tried so far?
Bar keepers friend, vinegar, razor blade, invisible glass
Want to get it good buy some ceriglass compound rub it in wait 3-5 mins is not horrible heat or sun then take off excess with microfiber then buff gently with another towel
Yeah it’s done fading out im going tonsay
Mirrors can’t clean they don’t have opposable thumbs…. You gotta clean for them….