How to Remove the Small Round Mirror Sticker from the Rearview Mirror?
4 Answers
Pour a bowl of hot water on the adhesive surface at the bottom to soften it for one minute, then pry it off. No residue will be left on the rearview mirror. For the left rearview mirror, the usual installation position is at point B because, in China, parking is generally done on the right side of the road, and the left rearview mirror is rarely used during parking. Therefore, the left rearview mirror primarily aims to minimize blind spots and also allows visibility of the rear wheels. If placed at position D, it blocks part of the view close to the car body. Since most cars start by moving left, visibility near the car body is also crucial. Due to the convex nature of the small round mirror, distance distortion is inevitable, which can easily lead to misjudgment by the driver. For example, a car behind may only be one or two meters away, but in the small round mirror, it appears to be five or six meters away. Therefore, do not overly rely on the small round mirror. For most cars, you can use a cross-head screwdriver to unscrew the small screw on the back of the rearview mirror and then pull it off with force. Alternatively, you can buy the finest fishing line from a fishing gear store and use the traditional cutting method to remove it.
I've removed those small round mirrors by myself several times, mainly using heat to soften the adhesive. Just point a hair dryer at the edges of the small mirror for a few minutes - the hot air will soften the glue, but be careful not to overheat and damage the original mirror surface. Then use a plastic scraper or credit card to gently pry up one corner and slowly work your way around. Any leftover adhesive can be removed with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs; if you don't have alcohol, soapy water works too. Clean it thoroughly and the mirror will look good as new, preventing misplacement when installing a new one later. For regular maintenance, avoid spraying water directly on the rearview mirror - just wipe gently with a microfiber cloth to maintain clarity. The whole process takes about ten minutes - it's safe, efficient, and saves you a trip to the auto shop.
I recommend being careful and patient when removing the small round mirror to avoid scratching the original rearview mirror. First, use a hairdryer on medium heat to blow warm air around the edges for one or two minutes to soften the adhesive. Then, gently pry open a corner using a plastic tool like the handle of a fork—avoid metal tools to prevent scratches. Once it's pried open, promptly use an adhesive remover to spray and wipe away any residue. If the adhesive is too stubborn, try wrapping it with a damp cloth for a while to soften it. Avoid pulling the small round mirror forcefully during this process, as it may shatter and cause injury. After removal, rinse off any chemicals with water to keep the mirror surface clean. If the position isn't ideal, try a different mounting method next time, and opt for a mirror with stronger adhesive to prevent premature detachment.
I prefer using simple household items to remove small round mirrors, saving both money and effort. Use a hair dryer to heat the adhesive, then gently pry the edges with a bank card or plastic sheet. For leftover glue residue, apply white liquor or essential balm and wipe it off—it comes off easily. The whole process can be done in five minutes if done quickly. After cleaning, it's recommended to install a new anti-fog mirror to improve visibility.
