How to Remove the Small Round Mirror Stuck on a Car?
4 Answers
Methods to remove the small round mirror stuck on a car: 1. Use alcohol for removal. Alcohol is an organic solvent that can dissolve the adhesive. Simply apply alcohol to the adhesive of the small round mirror, wait for a while, and then you can remove it directly. 2. Use heat for removal. You can also use a heat gun to heat the adhesive of the glass film. Heating reduces the stickiness of the adhesive, and when heated to a certain extent, you can slowly remove the small round mirror. The small round mirror is an ideal reversing aid, usually installed below the left and right rearview mirrors. On vehicles equipped with small rearview mirrors, the driver can see the sides of the car body and the condition of the rear wheels. It should be noted that the small rearview mirror cannot see blind spots when changing lanes or turning, especially at night.
Last time I removed the small round mirror stuck on the rearview mirror by myself, and it was actually quite simple. First, use a hairdryer to heat the back of the small round mirror for a few minutes. Once the adhesive softens, slowly lift the edge with your fingers. Remember to wear gloves to avoid burning your hands, and don’t pry the mirror directly to prevent scratching the glass. After removal, adhesive residue is inevitable—just wipe it off with alcohol pads or essential balm, then clean the area with glass cleaner. The whole process takes about ten minutes, but remember to do it in a shaded area, as removing adhesive is especially difficult after summer sun exposure. If the adhesive is too stubborn, try a dedicated adhesive remover spray—available at auto repair shops for about ten yuan a bottle, which can be used multiple times.
For removing small round mirrors, I often use the hot towel method: soak a towel in a basin of hot water, wring it semi-dry, and place it on the mirror surface for five minutes. The adhesive softens with heat, allowing you to pry the edge open with your fingernail. When removing the mirror, keep your hands steady and slowly peel it off by rolling from one side to minimize adhesive residue. For adhesive removal, using an eraser or tape is the easiest—repeated pressing will lift the sticky residue. Never use a blade to scrape, as scratching the mirror's coating would be a big loss. Encountered stubborn adhesive stains? Apply a couple of drops of cooking oil to soften it for ten minutes, then scrub with dish soap. Before attaching a new round mirror, remember to clean the surface with alcohol for easier removal next time.
A plastic card can easily remove small round mirrors. Heat the mirror, lift a corner, and insert a thin card like a membership card to slide and cut through the adhesive layer. If the temperature is sufficient, the glue will peel off in strands. For adhesive removal, gasoline works best—just dip a cotton swab and wipe clean, but ensure proper ventilation and fire safety. In winter, using a hairdryer makes the job easier as the adhesive hardens much faster in cold weather. Finally, clean thoroughly with a damp cloth to avoid oil residue affecting visibility. Let the surface dry for half an hour before applying a new mirror for better adhesion.
