1968 Charger rear-view mirror question

[funknut]

Took my rear-view mirror down to clean up and paint, it was looking pretty scabby. Have a few questions though. It looks as though the vertical shaft was coming loose, and the previous owner attempted to repair it by drilling it and using a grub screw to hold it in place.

I'm going to give it a good clean, knock down the burrs from where it was drilled, sand it smooth and then prime and paint it. Before I paint it I want to glue the stud in and fill the hole. I was thinking of using JB Weld or some other 2-part epoxy like this:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200642733_200642733

Any opinions?

Also, what is this made of? Feels like pot metal, too heavy for aluminum.

Thanks

 

[Lionized]

Please do not fill that hole, it's original.

As for cleaning, since it's already removed from the car, place it in a parts washing bin and douse it with oven cleaner. Let it soak overnight then hit it with fine steel wool (wear gloves). Rinse it with brake cleaner then you can polish/buff if you like. I'm partial to the brushed look.

 

[funknut]

Please do not fill that hole, it's original.

As for cleaning, since it's already removed from the car, place it in a parts washing bin and douse it with oven cleaner. Let it soak overnight then hit it with fine steel wool (wear gloves). Rinse it with brake cleaner then you can polish/buff if you like. I'm partial to the brushed look.

Ok great info, thanks. I haven’t seen that hole in any of the pics I’ve looked through. Happy to keep it if it’s original.

Maybe the previous owner just used an oversized set screw, then, because the hole is mushroomed out quite a bit and the screw doesn’t seem to engage the pin correctly.

Appreciate the info, you saved me a bunch of time.

 

[moparnation74]

This is what the original finish looks like....

 

[pnora]

This is what the original finish looks like....

View attachment 734789

Moparnation by some chance do you know what color paints you used on refinishing the mirror?

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

has anyone ever replaced that long extender piece with a shorter one to raise the mirror height up closer to the top edge of the windshield? It often happens when I'm exiting an off ramp or on the occasional road race course that the mirror is really blocking my view as I look right forward. I find myself crouching down and looking under the mirror which is no fun. I'd like to move that thing!

My car is a Sport Satellite, so don't care about originality for mine.

 

[pnora]

has anyone ever replaced that long extender piece with a shorter one to raise the mirror height up closer to the top edge of the windshield? It often happens when I'm exiting an off ramp or on the occasional road race course that the mirror is really blocking my view as I look right forward. I find myself crouching down and looking under the mirror which is no fun. I'd like to move that thing!

My car is a Sport Satellite, so don't care about originality for mine.

Just take what you have and unscrew it from the ball. Shorten it and re drill and tap. 15 minute job.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Just take what you have and unscrew it from the ball. Shorten it and re drill and tap. 15 minute job.

agreed. I'm just wondering if anyone else has done this or am I in the minority that considers this an annoyance?

 

[pnora]

agreed. I'm just wondering if anyone else has done this or am I in the minority that considers this an annoyance?

It does not matter about any one else. It is what you need to make things work.

 

[funknut]

I also think the stock position is a bit too low, but I'm pretty tall, so I wouldn't mind moving it up a bit. Not sure if I'll end up shortening mine, but it's not a bad idea.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

It does not matter about any one else. It is what you need to make things work.

I'm afraid your rigid view may be short-sighted. One of the purposes of sharing info on here is to see if someone else has tried something and discovered a downside that may have not been considered before proceeding. I'm only looking for replies from those who have tried it or decided not to for other reasons. Thanks anyway

 

[VitaMeVas]

Has anyone replaced JUST the mirror part. I can clean up the rest, but the mirror (shiny part you look at) is warped and the black 'plastic' on the rear is cracked. Everything I've seen comes with the whole deal (mirror-mount-and stem). Thanks.

 

[BeeFast]

OER makes a reproduction rear view mirror. Everything I bought from them so far has been top notch.

 

[VitaMeVas]

OER makes a reproduction rear view mirror. Everything I bought from them so far has been top notch.

Do they make just the black mirror part sold separately? I don't need/want the mount to the roof.