rear view mirror gasket

[Benz Dr.]

On the early all chrome mirror there's a gasket that holds the glass in place. I don't see anything in my parts book so it's not a part you can get from MB. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

[badali]

I think it may be glazing putty for glass.  I took one apart a long time ago and I think that was what was there.

[Benz Dr.]

It could be but it kind of looks like some sort of gasket.

[wwheeler]

I took one apart a while back and that glazing just broke apart. I think I carefully applied a clear RTV silicone to hold it in.

[Benz Dr.]

That's what I was thinking we might need to do.

[pj]

Hi Dan
I took mine apart in August of 2011 and there's definitely a gasket of some kind in there. There was also a little tag that had a date stamped on it, and the date was consistent with the factory date for my car. My photos are too blurry to see the details, but I figured the gasket was original, because it had a lot of little cracks all around it.

[Benz Dr.]

Hi Dan
I took mine apart in August of 2011 and there's definitely a gasket of some kind in there. There was also a little tag that had a date stamped on it, and the date was consistent with the factory date for my car. My photos are too blurry to see the details, but I figured the gasket was original, because it had a lot of little cracks all around it.

Yes, and it is your mirror we're talking about.

[Minerva]

There is a gasket there I'll take a picture tomorriw as ive one apart fir rechroming.

[wwheeler]

Attached is a picture I took right after I disassembled the mirror. You can clearly see the yellowish material that held the glass in. It was hard as a rock and extremely brittle. In fact you can see some of the areas that are missing. It is some sort of putty in a ribbon form, not a preformed gasket. You can also see the date stamp on the plated part and says something.... 1964.

[pj]

Mine had the date stamped on a piece of paper. I always took it for granted that the stamp was authentic and original.

[DaveB]

I agree with Brad and Wallace it seems very like a linseed oil-based glazing putty.

[wwheeler]

Interesting that the date code ended up on your paper and my metal part. Pretty close and I guess it was up to the inspector exactly where. That just goes to show that there is randomness in these sorts of things much like the paint inspection dots.

[wayne R]

Hi Benz Dr, This what you can use, first solution is ,i have forgotton what is called,
but it is the black very fine light canvas,with a sticky back that is used on convertible top
rubbers, i still have a good size roll from my days with Cadillac and Buick, cut with sissors,
to the size you need then peel off the paper back,its marvelous, infact im going to do my
rubbers on the Pagoda ft window surround rubber soon,its the original and it wears off to a
cream -white colour instead of instead should be black.
Second solution is  a very thin cork rubber base gasket that is less than 1/16 think,
apply  a fine layer of contact cement its also  very good. 
Let me know if you require a couple of these  pieces for your mirrow,i could send them to you  regards.

[Pawel66]

 Could you, perhaps, recall how is this glued fabric called? I would look for it and apply to the rubber seals on soft top. All I found was the grip band for bicycles, but it does not hold well.

[mbzse]

Interesting that the date code ended up on your paper and my metal part.../... there is randomness in these sorts of things.../...

Just to be clear, there was not a "mirror manufacturing department" in the M-B factory, not today and not in the sixties. Mirrors were bought in from subcontractors such as "Reitter & Schefenacker" in Esslingen. This may be the reason behind the differences in date tag design. 

[wayne R]

Hi Pawel and others,
Just found it ,the blackstick on --is called Adhesive backed bowdrill,
Available at ---Old buickparts.com----Cars inc.----Newjeysey,comes in 2.1/2 ,or 5/0 inch wide  5./0 ft long.
Go to  page  1930  to   1960 buick==door panels head liner etc,===group===14===page 135.
I used this years ago on many Buicks i restored and it is marvelous,hope this helps.
Cars phone number is--908-369-3666

[wwheeler]

Just to be clear, there was not a "mirror manufacturing department" in the M-B factory, not today and not in the sixties. Mirrors were bought in from subcontractors such as "Reitter & Schefenacker" in Esslingen. This may be the reason behind the differences in date tag design.

Thanks Hans. I do realize that these were built by subcontractors and sorry my post was misleading. My point I guess was that you may hear - "Dates codes on chrome mirrors are ALWAYS on the paper tag"....When in fact here it is shown that it was stamped in different places and maybe by different subcontractors. Always and never are difficult words in the automotive restoration hobby. It seems there are as many exceptions as there are rules.