Bought a new piece of glass for the drivers side mirror to replace the factory one that turned yellow on me.

The new glass is just the glass, no backing plate. I was under the impression you would either adhere this in top of the existing glass, or remove the old and reattach new directly to the backing plate.

I wanted to remove the old versus lay it on top but ran into a quandary. I managed to separate the two halves of the mirror casing, but not sure how to proceed from here. Pictures aren't loading for me for some reason, but basically the frame that contains the own glass is one half and the backing plate is the other. I don't see how it is possible to remove the heating element from the own glass nor how to get the glass out of the frame.


The new glass does not have any adhesive backing, but I can figure that out. However it also isn't cut perfectly leaving gaps on the corners and too wide in the center to sit flush on the frame. I'll return and get new.

Thoughts on next steps to transfer over the new glass to the existing backing plate while retaining the raised lip frame?

 

If you can't 2 way tape the new glass over the old glass or don't like how that looks maybe get a mirror from VetteNuts

 

Thanks. Also did some more searches and some results may help. Need to look again at the frame later.

 

When my auto dimming/memory/heated mirror turned yellow (2004), I bought an OE memory/heated mirror (no auto dimming feature) for $129 at the dealer. The auto dimming glass was over $390.

I used a heated glass pn 12530715 - msrp 149.22 and dealer sold it for 129.76. Eliminated the auto dim feature because it's just ridiculous to spend nearly $400 for a rear view mirror. It came with the backing plate attached and just snapped into the housing.

I was in a hurry but you can get them cheaper at GM Parts Direct and Amazon. It physically fits all C5s

 

See if these files help you out.

 

Thanks Jack. I stumbled upon those during a different search later this afternoon. Worked on it a bit tonight and used the advice found in one of those files to separate the two pieces of glass the reinstall for free. Got it all pulled apart tonight and sure enough the second pane of glass is perfect. Need to clean up the adhesive around the plastic trim then can put it all together again later.