Adhesive For Slippery Surface

I would be tempted to try using a two part epoxy like JB weld.

The next best thing I can think of would be one of the super glue variants or one of the types of the glues that the auto glass shops use.

"...of the types of the glues that the auto glass shops use."

That's the same take I have on it, something sticky and a little bit goopy, but this mirror back doesn't seem to want to stick to ANYTHING! I tried a 3M Command PSA strip, and even it doesn't stick very well.

Didn't think of JB Weld. Might work.

A two part epoxy would likely work well. Do not abrade or etch the back of the mirror surface. This can easily damage the "silver" reflective coating. We use to use RTV silicone caulk to mount mirrors at some nasty environments at work.

"Do not abrade or etch the back of the mirror surface. This can easily damage the "silver" reflective coating." My thought exactly. The slick back can't be more than two, maybe three mils.

One thing working against me is the small size of the glue area, only 1/8" wide.

This is a hobby project, a steel sculpture candle holder yardsale find that has a missing mirror (may have been decorative glass, I'm not sure which end of the thing is the intended front). The missing glass/mirror should have been a hint there is a problem getting something to stay in there.

Easier to just go with a piece of polished stainless steel or aluminum....

cheap mirrors....

http://www.shawfab.com/index.php/custom-fabrication-services/stainless-steel-polishing-html.html

Yeah... I know we hate this, but I have additional info that kills your otherwise good suggestion:

This metal candle holder is also a little bit trinkety, but I sort of like it. It was selected by Doorman's Chick, who really likes it. She also very much likes the look of the beveled mirror.

So...

I see, then you may consider the 'cheap mirrors' link, that will replace the current piece if when you screw it up....lol

ps; I've always had good luck with jb weld....

Tony, as I said, I tried a 3M Command Strip (tradename of a sticky double sided tape system for hanging things on a wall) and it sticks to the mirror back okay, not a real tight bond.

The PTFE characteristic of the mirror back is the problem. I'm think an aggressive liquid adhesive would react with the unknown 'stuff' on the back, thus distorting the reflective surface under the back.

When I acquired this mirror it was part of a glued-up series of glass and mirror parts, all adhesion points were glass/glass. The guy who designed the piece apparently had trouble finding anything that would stick to the mirror back, too.

A possibility is a mechanical attachment, a tab sort of thing at quarter points. This is less desirable, but would certainly work.

I was unaware that you are trying to glue to PTFE. I believe they etch the aluminum pans to get the PTFE to stick.

Another option is to drill the mirror and use a flexible fitting.

Tony

GA

The tip with the meths is as we say in Germany, is as valuable as Gold.....as is the flexible glue, though I personally only use thick double sided tape on mirrors, as I get worried about damaging the reflective surface, its delicate....

Keeping things Hygienically clean and using throwaway thin rubber surgical gloves to handle things with, is always a good move as well!! I put on the gloves and then clean any preservative off them with the Meths first!!! Before touching the work piece.

But you were first to post!!

Try the adhesive used to hold the rearview mirror mounts (metal) to the car windshields for the metal to glass assembly.

Don't touch the silver reflective surface with anything other than careful hands or soft gloved hands. Once the silvering is scratched or glued to you might as well throw the thing away, unless of course still loves the thing no matter what condition it is in. This will also be bad for your repair and making things reputation.

Another would be Loctite Glass Glue, usually at the big orange box.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/sg_glass/overview/Loctite-Glass-Glue.htm

Master Bond also makes a glass to glass adhesive:

http://www.masterbond.com/applications/glass-bonding

Dymax also makes glass to glass adhesives:

http://www.dymax.com/index.php/adhesives/glass-bonding

I have used the mirror mounting glue with success for other than its intended use. Have also used the Loctite with success.

Success may be a tube of adhesive away!

Good Luck, Old Salt

If the mirror and steel ring fit together well - the flat part of the ring has enough surface area in contact with the mirror back - then try rear view mirror adhesive. It does a great job holding that little metal piece to a windshield.

If the pieces don't fit well together, try super glue with an activator. You can also use some cyanoacrylate powder to fill in gaps. I've also heard you can use baking powder.

Last, I would try a whole lot of 100% silicone.

Good luck!

WHAT? Nothing in the Lyn-Door Industries catalog?

Before you get crazy with glues, try them out on a non essential mirror. How about contact adhesive, or gorilla glue, The GG activates with moisture, and expands a bit. Seems to work well on small parts. 3M makes double sided tapes for many uses. There is one I wound up with that is not for polyethylene, for whatever reason. If all else fails, contact them for advice. Another company that has a wide variety of adhesives id Devcon. Good luck.

If the worst happens and the reflective coat is damaged, there are comapanies who will re-coat the mirror.....at a price!!

There may even be a DIY method, look around on the web.....I've never tried to do that personally....so no real idea.....

The glass itself is quite difficult to damage, possible but difficult.....

As bob c suggested, experiment with non-essential mirrors and see what works on them.

-- Plain old rubber cement comes to mind for me, or Formica adhesive. Gooey and flexible.

-- Another strategy: glue to the edge of the glass, if the mirror fits in the ring well enough. You can abrade the glass edge (and the inside of the ring) with sandpaper for extra bite. If the mirror is just a little too big, you can reduce the diameter by this method, too. Bypass the problem of adhesion to the backing altogether. There are lots of adhesives that stick to glass, and you won't have to worry about chemical issues with the backing. Many of these have good gap-bridging properties, in case the mirror is a bit smaller than the inside diameter of the ring.

If you go to the 3M site and look up the VHB (Very High Bond) double sided tapes, there is a table which rates the glues for bonding to HSE and LSE (High and Low Surface Energy) substrates.

You want the one that has high relative adhesion to LSE substrates:-

4932 (25 Mil foam) or

4952 (45 Mil foam)

(The 3M site is about as user friendly as cholera: all marketing and no useful parametric searches; I just happen to have the table printed out, and sitting on my desk.)

Well Doorman one of life's never ending problems, making our women happy. one word to the wise some silicone's will react with the mirror backing causeing it to turn black or dark. The glass companies use a mastic compound that sticks to mirror and as far as I know almost anything else it comes in contact with. My brother had a glass repair company for many years and one of his problems was repairing mirrors that were installed with silicone that had caused a distortion in the mirror's backing and made it not so fun to look at, and as we all know women hate a bad mirror. Mirror mirror on the wall the wicked witch seems to come out in them all, if the mirror looks bad. And we all know we don't want to see the wicked witch make an appearance. But it is almost that time of year though.

Did you try to glue the mirror to a substrate with a 100% bonding surface (Always preferred). You could then bond the substrate to the (Thin) ring.

Sometimes the obvious answer is the best...

There are a variety of adhesives that will glue glass. Unfortunately, as with life, each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Strongly suggest you refer to the following before going any further.

http://www.adhesiveandglue.com/glass-bonding.html

Some of the suggestions posted are good, many are bad for gluing the substrates. Do not attempt any repair until you have tested, and if possible several times for each, until you are satisfied that you have the right one to test on the final glue-up. Using the wrong one could be your last attempt by default.

I spent 10 years in the management of adhesive manufacturing sites. Would also suggest that you find a potential source and contact their development lab personnel. They are the ones that know the most about adhesives and which to use for each application. If one doesn't have a product that would work ask them to suggest who else might. These people are the "Glue Gurus"!

Good Luck, Old Salt

My wife and I make garden gazing balls from bowling balls and broken up mirror pieces. The best adhesives I've found for adhering the mirror bits are PL200 by Locktite and solarseal#900 by NPC.

You need those sticky adhesive pads that can be used over and over...

I think they use gecko feet.....

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/427175/reusable-sticky-tape-could-hold-up-your-tv/