Adding a R/H O/S mirror: Non-drill method w/ super strong magnet?

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

...Just an idea I'm having this eve.


On 2nd Gen Charger (or others) - adding chrome mirror w/out drilling the panel...

Anyone ever think of this or try??

[A383Wing]

I would be afraid of it scratching the paint....and then someone comes along and bumps it..and really scratching the body

[daveco]

That would have to be a pretty stout magnet and I'm not sure there is enough surface area in the base to provide adequate pull.

[BananaDan]

I plan on doing this eventually and I'll be drilling it.   

[bull]

I would be afraid of it scratching the paint....and then someone comes along and bumps it..and really scratching the body

Exactly. Putting a magnet on paint will ALWAYS scratch it. Small metallic particles of dust will stick to the magnet and every little vibration and bump will grind that stuff into the paint.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Dude - I had to install a R/H mirror on a Superbird...    talk about nervous...   

[tan top]

drill it  !! 

[ITSA426]

If I really didn't want to drill the mounting holes I would use some of the newer two sided tapes made for the auto industry.  Some of them are incredibly strong, and would cushion the base of the mirror.  I don't think there is enough steel for magnetic attraction in the pot metal mirror base and stud to hold it to anything.

[Ghoste]

Plus having a big enough magnet to hold it at driving speeds would look pretty goofy.

[tan top]

If I really didn't want to drill the mounting holes I would use some of the newer two sided tapes made for the auto industry.  Some of them are incredibly strong, and would cushion the base of the mirror.  I don't think there is enough steel for magnetic attraction in the pot metal mirror base and stud to hold it to anything.

yeah that sounds a good idea  , the 3m moulding tape    but thinking there might not be a big enough flat part under there to stick to   think its mostly hollow  ! , but i forget now  

[bill440rt]

The base of the mirror is recessed, not enough flat area for tape to stick to it either. The gasket is also rubber. Then, you'll have the big gaping hole where the sheet metal screw would reside.

Magnet or tape sounds real risky to me, probably wouldn't work anyway.
Drill, bolt, & screw it on like it's supposed to be.

[kab69440]

Dude - I had to install a R/H mirror on a Superbird...    talk about nervous...   

It's just sheet metal. There's nothing that can't be fixed.  As long as it isn't your Bird, what's to worry about?

[ITSA426]

If you are really afraid to drill it, use the tape that the auto industry uses to glue nameplates to the car.  They are never drilled any more and most of them are plastic.  Clean everything the tape will touch, tape the mirror base to the gasket first.  That will be the least contact area.  If you are satisfied that the bond is adequate then cover the bottom of the gasket with tape and set it where you want it.  I can't guarantee it will hold your mirror down but I know it can hold a spoiler in place.

Having said all that, my only plan would be to drill the holes in the door and install it correctly if it were my car.  I've done that also.  Just be sure it is in the correct spot so you're not trying to look through the vent window frame.  Keep in mind the auto industry still punches holes in the door to put them on.

[jaak]

The base of the mirror is recessed, not enough flat area for tape to stick to it either. The gasket is also rubber. Then, you'll have the big gaping hole where the sheet metal screw would reside.

Magnet or tape sounds real risky to me, probably wouldn't work anyway.
Drill, bolt, & screw it on like it's supposed to be.

   or....
One question, is the mirror for 'looks' or 'function'? The reason I ask, if you want it for function, the right mirror is pretty useless (can't see much out of it anyways), if your that concerned about drilling, and the car didn't come with one anyways, I'd just leave it off. 

Jason

[Ghoste]

It looks cool and unless it's a concours perfect restoration or an umolested original survivor or some ultra rare car that shouldn't be altered, I'd just get over it, drill the damned hole and be done with it.  It isn't going to hurt the value of the car.

[68X426]

Walk on the wild side. No side mirror makes life worth living. 

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,55688.0.html

[tan top]

It looks cool and unless it's a concours perfect restoration or an umolested original survivor or some ultra rare car that shouldn't be altered, I'd just get over it, drill the damned hole and be done with it.  It isn't going to hurt the value of the car.

   yeah what Ghoste says  !!  

just drill it !!  

but to be honest had a long think about drilling mine also !!  had the mirror bought for a good while  ,  it were'nt so much drilling the hole ! but altering the car how it came from the factory! even though i have altered a lot already on the under side with torque boxes , frame connectors & stuff , but there was something about drilling & hole in that door that were'nt there originally !! , would not have given it a second thought  on any other car !
 all this thinking  &  i was cursing  from day one i went out in the charger i had  no mirror to judge backing up close to stuff while parking &  in &narrow garage  etc etc

for that very reason  you need a mirror  on that side , its not the best , or even that good , compared to todays door mirrors , but  depending how fitted , you can see whats going on  & where the rear quarter is !    

[mpdlawdog]

I have a 68 that I wanted to put an R/T emblem on the rear...the holes didnt match the emblem and I didnt wasnt to drill into it.....I filled the back of the emblem with Jb weld...the stuff in the tube that you mix together and it gets hard...it is easy to work with...I then used 3m 2 sided tape and taped it on the back of the car...no scratches and it isnt going anywhere..you could try something like that.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

The base of the mirror is recessed, not enough flat area for tape to stick to it either. The gasket is also rubber. Then, you'll have the big gaping hole where the sheet metal screw would reside.

Magnet or tape sounds real risky to me, probably wouldn't work anyway.
Drill, bolt, & screw it on like it's supposed to be.

   or....
One question, is the mirror for 'looks' or 'function'? The reason I ask, if you want it for function, the right mirror is pretty useless (can't see much out of it anyways), if your that concerned about drilling, and the car didn't come with one anyways, I'd just leave it off. 

Jason

Hmmm.... Maybe then, I won't add the mirror. Just used to the second one being there...

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

I have a 68 that I wanted to put an R/T emblem on the rear...the holes didnt match the emblem and I didnt wasnt to drill into it.....I filled the back of the emblem with Jb weld...the stuff in the tube that you mix together and it gets hard...it is easy to work with...I then used 3m 2 sided tape and taped it on the back of the car...no scratches and it isnt going anywhere..you could try something like that.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyA1Viugxjw

[mpdlawdog]

I have a 68 that I wanted to put an R/T emblem on the rear...the holes didnt match the emblem and I didnt wasnt to drill into it.....I filled the back of the emblem with Jb weld...the stuff in the tube that you mix together and it gets hard...it is easy to work with...I then used 3m 2 sided tape and taped it on the back of the car...no scratches and it isnt going anywhere..you could try something like that.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyA1Viugxjw

wow...looks like good stuff!  probably cheaper also!  I have never see it before...

[TUFCAT]

"Drill, Baby, Drill!" 

[ITSA426]

I'm in the camp with Ghoste and say you should drill it. 

If you still want to tape it and you're worried about the screw hole you just cut a front mounting screw down and glue the head in place.  No one will know if you don't tell them.

[Cooperman]

Fitted mine today, but I had no choice - a right-side mirror is a requirement here in Engand. Was I nervous? You bet! 

[Rolling_Thunder]

I'm leaving my plain style one on the driver's side...     i dont plan on adding a passenger side either...