You can usually replace wing mirror glass at home without taking the mirror off the door. How you do it depends on whether you bought stick-on glass (with adhesive pads) or clip-on glass (with a backing plate). Read the safety section first.
What you need
You need cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses and a plastic trim tool. Avoid metal screwdrivers, which can crack glass and scratch the mirror housing.
Have some masking tape or duct tape ready, and a clean, lint-free cloth. For stick-on glass you also need isopropyl alcohol wipes or another grease-free cleaner. If the weather is cold, keep a hairdryer to hand.
Safety first
Wear gloves and safety glasses. Broken mirror glass has sharp edges and pieces can come away suddenly. If the old glass is cracked, cover it with tape before you remove it so the pieces stay together.
Switch off the ignition. Make sure the mirror heating is off too, so there is no power at the heater terminals while you work.
Cold weather makes the job harder. Adhesive pads do not stick well to cold surfaces, and cold plastic clips break more easily. Work in a garage if you can, or warm the backing plate and new glass to room temperature with a hairdryer on a low setting. Never pour hot water on cold glass, as it can crack.
Before the old glass comes off, hold the new glass up to your mirror and compare the side, shape and glass type. Leave the protective film on until the glass is fitted.
Is my glass stick-on or clip-on?
Stick-on glass comes with adhesive pads and sticks onto the backing plate already in your mirror. Clip-on glass comes fixed to a new backing plate, which clips onto the mount inside the mirror. Your order confirmation and the product listing tell you which one you bought.
How to fit stick-on mirror glass
- Use the mirror adjuster to angle the glass so you can reach it easily.
- Put your gloves on. Work a plastic trim tool under the edge of the old glass and lift the pieces away from the backing plate. If the old adhesive is stubborn, warm it with a hairdryer to soften it.
- Clean the backing plate. Every trace of old adhesive, old pads and glass fragments has to come off. Wipe the plate with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry completely. The new pads need a flat surface, and it must be clean and dry.
- Now look at the backing plate itself. If it is cracked, loose or has broken clips, stop. You need clip-on glass with a new backing plate instead.
- Wires coming through the backing plate mean your car has heated mirrors. Stick-on glass from our website is not heated, so wrap the ends of the wires in insulating tape and tuck them away. If you want the heating to work, you need heated clip-on glass instead.
- Dry fit the glass. Leave the backing on the pads, hold the new glass in place and check it lines up with an even gap all round the housing.
- Peel the backing off the adhesive pads. Line up one edge first, then lower the glass onto the plate. The pads grip straight away, so you usually get only one attempt.
- With a clean cloth, press evenly over the areas where the pads are for 30 seconds or so. Avoid pressing hard on the edges or corners.
- Remove the protective film. If you can, keep away from car washes and pressure washers for 24 hours while the adhesive settles.
How to fit clip-on mirror glass
- Tilt the glass as far as it will go in one direction with the mirror adjuster. This opens a gap behind the opposite edge of the glass.
- Slide a plastic trim tool into that gap and lever gently until the clips let go. Some glass needs a firm, even pull. If it will not release, stop. Some mirrors hold the glass with a locking ring or tabs, so check how your model's glass is fixed before using more force.
- If the glass is heated, pull the two connectors off the terminals on the back of the glass. Pull on the connector, not the wire. Tape the wires to the housing so they do not slip inside.
- Compare the old and new plates. The clips, terminals and shape should match before you go further.
- Push the heater connectors firmly onto the terminals on the new glass. On most heated glass, either wire can go on either terminal.
- Line up the clips with the mount. Place a cloth over the middle of the glass and press firmly with the palm of your hand until the clips engage. You will usually hear a click. Do not press near the edges or corners, as this can crack the glass.
- Test it by moving the mirror through its full range with the adjuster. For heated glass, switch the heating on and check the glass feels warm after a few minutes. Then remove the protective film.
Troubleshooting
The clip-on glass rattles or feels loose
The clips are not fully engaged. Press firmly in the middle of the glass again until you hear them click.
The heated glass does not warm up
Check both connectors are pushed fully onto the terminals and that the mirror heating is switched on. If the mirror on the other side does not heat either, the problem may be the car's fuse or switch rather than the glass. Still not working? Contact us.
The stick-on glass has come loose
This usually means the backing plate was not fully clean and dry, or it was too cold when the glass was fitted. Contact us and we will help.
The new glass does not match the old shape
Do not fit it. Keep the protective film and pad backing in place and see our returns page. Our mirror glass buying guide explains how to identify the right glass.
Before you drive
Sit in the driver's seat and adjust the mirror so you have a clear view behind and beside the car. Make sure the glass is secure and does not move when you close the door.