Mirror removal

[IRKillroy]

Ok, so I'm trying to remove the mirror glass from my break-aways without breaking the glass... there is 4 spots where the damn factory decided to use evil silicone... does anyone have any ideas on dissolving silicone???? I want to rebuild the mirrors by sending it out to get chromed....

for those who are saying why, I'm getting the bright "blue" chrome... stuff I'm told that is brighter than the normal plating.... we'll see I guess.

anyways, the positive side to rebuilding them is knowing they are stock (for those of you who don't care... I don't care about your opinion), being able to rebuild them when something goes wrong... like rust and lastly because I don't like the stuff from the aftermarket.


so please help me dissolve this silicone! thanks for your help.

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

There are a number of solvents on the market, but one of the best is Silicone-Be-Gone, a product made by DAP and developed specifically for removing silicone. It can be used both for dissolving cured silicone and for cleaning up the area around freshly applied silicone. The product takes several hours to work completely. It's also an oil-based solvent that has a noticeable odor, so use with proper ventilation. It's also a good idea to wear gloves to minimize contact with your skin.

If you don't want to use the stronger commercial products, you can remove silicone with mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol. These products are safer, but they will take longer to work, and they will likely also require some elbow grease and a fair amount of scraping.

Care of Brad Walker at http://www.warmtips.com/20060602.htm

 

[Half Nuts]

I used goo-gone on my mirror when it broke. It didn't "dissolve" the silicone, but it did break the bond.

 

[IRKillroy]

... I'm trying to keep the un-broken mirror in one piece... though I'm begining to think it won't be that easy.

I've already broken 2 mirrors trying both chemicals and all it really does is make the plastic all gooey and un-usable.

I used goof-off, doesn't work.

the silicone-b-gone is a paste/gel that needs to be applied directly to the silicone, and it only soften the silicon.

So far the only option is to break the glass and put in replacement glass after I rebuild the rest of the mirror.

I'm thinking about using a wire to seperate the mirror from the backing..... gotta find a good enough wire.

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

I'm thinking about using a wire to seperate the mirror from the backing..... gotta find a good enough wire.

You could do a HOT wire - similar to the set ups used to cut foam blocks. That is if the wire will not cut the plastic too. Just an idea!

 

[IRKillroy]

thought about that... my father in-law said that too... but I think it'd melt the plastic.... besides I need a good strong wire... I'm thinking guitar wire... any other suggestions?


edit: I'm also considering just breaking the glass and buying a new peice from Murrays auto parts to glue back in.... it's only 9 dollars... I figure after all the work of re-chroming and polishing that I might as go new glass.

 

[twinky]

Try WD-40 i've used it on other siliconed stuff and it works 90% of the time