69 left rear view mirror not releasing with lacquer thinner

[Richard R.]

I am attempting to fix the droopy mirror on my 69 L46. I have the article from the restorer on how to do this. The first step is to get the mirror off the housing. I have been soaking in lacquer thinner for over a week now and the darn glass won't come out. It's an original mirror with what I suspect is original glass with correct date code. But I suppose it is possible someone re glued the thing back in the housing although there is no evidence of it. I hate to break the glass to repair it. Anyone have suggestions on an alternative to getting the glass to release?

Thanks much,

Rich

[Gary B.]

Re: 69 left rear view mirror not releasing with lacquer thinner

Soak it in Gasoline overnight, it will fall off. Mine do in less than 24-hours. Just be careful where you store it overnight. Outside would be best.
Gary Bosselman

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 left rear view mirror not releasing with lacquer thinner

I am attempting to fix the droopy mirror on my 69 L46. I have the article from the restorer on how to do this. The first step is to get the mirror off the housing. I have been soaking in lacquer thinner for over a week now and the darn glass won't come out. It's an original mirror with what I suspect is original glass with correct date code. But I suppose it is possible someone re glued the thing back in the housing although there is no evidence of it. I hate to break the glass to repair it. Anyone have suggestions on an alternative to getting the glass to release?

Thanks much,

Rich

They must have changed something in lacquer thinner over the years since I wrote that article. I suspect something was added to gasoline (perhaps alcohol) in the years since I tried that, but gasoline didn't work for me. If it works for Gary and you that is great. Let us know how it comer out (bad pun).

[Ron G.]

Re: 69 left rear view mirror not releasing with lacquer thinner

I have done this several times, and like Gary suggested soak it in gasoline. I have done this using gas and I have never had a problem.

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 left rear view mirror not releasing with lacquer thinner

Thanks folks, soaking in gasoline as I write this. more news to follow.....

Rich

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 left rear view mirror not releasing with lacquer thinner

Bingo!

I soaked it in regular 87 pump gas. After 12 hours one side of the mirror was beyond the edge of the shell but the other side appeared to not move so I just left it alone. After another 12 hours there wasn't any apparent change so I took it out of the bath and gingerly grabbed the mirror edge that was exposed and twisted ever so slightly. It came free. There was so much goo on the one side that it hadn't allowed the mirror to fall completely out and just needed a little coaxing. My guess is that after the first 12 hours it would have been the same result if I had just fiddled with it a bit.
So go figure - days in lacquer thinner to no avail, hours in gasoline.

Thanks for the tip guys! Now on to correcting the original problem.

Rich