Need help - button stuck inside rear view mirror (which fell off)

[Fatty98]

Got a ‘99 TJ recently and the rear view mirror was off. Looks like someone had glued previously so the metal button is stuck inside the mirror. All that is on the windshield is a plastic pad (see pics) which won’t allow for any glue to hold an entire mirror (I’ve tried...other threads say to glue the button on first, then the mirror). Any thoughts to get the button out? Tried razors. Thinking hot water.

 

[MountaineerTom]

You might try a heat gun or hair dryer. I'd guess by the amount of glue still on the windshield that some of it got in there and glued them together.

If you get them apart, definitely glue the button on first. Let it dry a while, overnight would be good. You'll have better luck with the glue if you use just a little bit. For some reason, they don't hold well if you use a bunch of it.

 

[T Crawford]

Ask a glass shop to do it they have the right glue, I tried buying it they never stuck

 

[Vinman]

I tried and few different glues over the years and the only type that was successful was a 2 part epoxy type, all the single part glues I tried failed within a day or two.
All the glues I tried were intended specifically for mirror buttons.

I have no idea were I found the glue since it was over ten years since the last time I needed to use any.

 

[Goatman]

Check to be sure you don't have a set screw holding the metal tab in the mirror base. Most do, but I'm not near my TJ to check mine. Clean EVERYTHING off the glass before you try to reattach the button. I mark the location on the outside of the glass with a Sharpie so I am certain where to position the button. Again, inside glass must be perfectly clean. Follow directions to a "T". After the 60 seconds or whatever the directions say I then put a piece of tape across the button to hold it perfectly in place for at least overnight. If it was cool or damp I will wait a good 24 hr. before I pull the tape and attach the mirror. I have gotten 3 or 4 glue kits in a row that have failed. And the next one holds forever. No rhyme or reason to it.
The cardboard backer has (depending on brand of adhesive) either a printed or stamped date of manufacturer on it. Get the newest you can find.