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Ford Model A Pickup Restoration September 2015

Except from the metal housing, everything on my rear view mirror is self made. I will show you how to rebuild such a rear view mirror so it will become more useful, i.e. you see more what's going on behind you. Most mirrors of pre-war cars have flat mirror glasses and I wanted my mirror change to a convex glass shape as it can be found on today's cars.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

This is the mirror I have modified.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

The construction of the hinge-fixing I already have shown in September 2014 report but I have missed some details which are following now.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

These are the needed items, wherein the U-shaped profile is already welded.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

The U-shaped profile consists of 3 parts.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

In order to fix the tiny parts in the exact position, I mounted them on a threaded rod for welding.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

The two main parts are held together with two grub screws. At the door hinge it's being held with a slightly longer hinge pin and secured in position with two additional headless screws.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

As a next step, I have to remove the old glass and there is only this way … Since the edge is crimped and I will let that untouched, I'm going to mount the new glass in a slightly different way.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

I made an aluminum disc, 1 mm thick, which is a bit smaller than the crimped edge to be set into the mirror housing.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

The hole in the middle is necessary that the 3 screws from behind don't touch the back of the disc. Since the new mirror is curved outwards, the screws are also no problem for the new mirror.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

Now it comes to the new mirror glass. I have made two attempts to cut it by myself. But since it is curved, the chance is very, very low to be successful … I was not! Then I found a company which made a glass with the size I needed (same diameter size as the aluminum disc).

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

With all parts together I can start with assembling. As for other tasks, I used the 'Weicon Flex 310 M'. It can also be used for bonding and remains elastic.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

Because I need not very much of the 'Weicon' material, I filled it into a small syringe.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

A first bead I made in the mirror housing.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

Thereafter, the aluminum disc can be put on top and slightly pressed. The two adhesive tapes facilitates the insertion.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

The hole in the middle of the disc is the also for the equalization of the pressure behind the mirror during summer heat.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

Here I have already taped the mirror in such a way, that the edge still has a 1 mm wide strip which remains visible.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

After the bonded aluminum plate has dried out, I can prepare the glass mount by a further bead 'Weicom' on the edge of the aluminum disc.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

Now you can insert the mirror and let it dry.

Ford Model A Restoration September2015

As a final step fill up the cavity behind the crimped edge with 'Weicon' and make a smooth transition between mirror case and glass, as you can see on the picture. Next time I'm going to clean my dirty mirror before I start with the photo session …