Semi OT - Removing antenna mount from car window...

[Jeff Wisnia]

My son just bought a used car which has an antenna mount for a satellite radio stuck on the outside of the rear window.

It's a lump about 1-1/2" square with a short male threaded antenna starter piece sticking out of it.

He's no intention of getting a satellite radio and asked me how to safely remove that piece.

There's a matching lump on the inside of the glass which I assume is inductively or capacitively coupled to the outside piece, but he's not much concerned with that one and if it happens to be stuck over one of the defroster grid lines he's better off not messing wwith it.

I presume the outside piece he wants to remove is adhesively attached to the glass and wondered if the folks here here can recommend a safe way of removing it without risking damage to the rear window.

Thanks guys,

Jeff

[sparky01]

With an "Extra" ticket and you don't know the answer!!!

Sparky01

[Percival P. Cassidy]

I don't recall there being any questions about that on the test.

"Perce"

[chaniarts]

it's probably some sort of epoxy or uv glue. if you can take the window out and stick it in an oven, it'll release around 350F.

there's a product called Attack that will dissolve epoxy, but you have to get it to stay on there for a couple of days or so because there's not much glue surface area it can get to.

i doubt a razor knife will touch it. the glue may be stronger than the glass.

[Kurt Ullman]

Head out to Best Buy or similar place that used to put cell phones in car. Maybe one of the oldsters there still remembers how they used to take the cell antennas off.

[Stepfann King]

Smash the window. That will work.

[Oren]

The glass mounts are mounted with adhesive, some use double sided tape?

Try some dental floss, fishing line or maybe a piano or guitar string.. Just guessing here .

[Ed Pawlowski]

"Jeff Wisnia" wrote

If you don't get the answer here, call an auto glass place. They do that sort of thing all the time.

[Joe]

Go to any auto parts store. Look at the mirror mounting kit display. Many will have adhesive remover as part of the display. Failing that, try a auto body shop supply store. Again, in the mirror mount products should have adhesive removal material there. The cyanoacrylate adhesives are removed with acetone, IIRC. An epoxy adhesive will soften with methylene chloride, the main component in StripEase and similar bodied paint removers.

Joe

[Nate Nagel]

I'd start with a hair dryer...

nate

[Nate Nagel]

Forgot to mention, if it's the same glue that holds on rear view mirrors, driving a certain onramp on the way to the Detroit airport used to remove the mirror on my old Scirocco every time :)

Koni yellows + H&R sport springs + 15" 50-series tires + Detroit roads = no bueno. (well, I was living in MD when I put the car together...)

nate

[Oren]

The first summer I lived in the desert I came out from work one day and the review mirror in my truck was hanging by the wire (94 Bronco). The intense heat apparently broke the adhesive from the mirror mount as it was still on the mirror arm. (110° ++)

Picked up some new adhesive from the auto parts place, cleaned the windshield (alcohol?) and mounted the mount back on. Hasn't failed since. In the summer I keep the windows open just enough to prevent the heat build-up. Some say the windows can actually shatter from heat if is tightly closed.

A hair dryer may work in the OP's case...

[clare]

It's likely a Methacrylate ester glue if that's any help. Acetone or heat will weaken the bond - and it has a low shear strength, particularly on glass. It's used in nail hardeners and nail enhancer products in the beauty industry.

[clare]

SOME did have a "rubber"adhesive disc - but others used something similar to rear-view mirror adhesive.

[Bob F]

I would probably just try tapping on it sidewise. A light impact will probably pop it loose. Lay a screwdriver on the window with the tip on the lump and the handle on the glass. Tap the end of the handle towards the lump.

[Tony]

I'd wedge a single edge razor blade under one corner then tap that in.

[Tony]

The first time I used one of those sun/heat reflectors for inside the windshield it was a hot day and of course, my rear view mirror fell off. Now if I use those reflectors, I put the wipers part way up slip the reflector under them. The car stays much cooler with the reflector on the outside of the windshield!

[boxer]

Carefully remove the window from the car body. Then take the window to an auto glass specialist and have them get that antenna thing off. When you replace the window you will probalby need some sealer. The auto glass shop should sell what you need.

Boxer

[willshak]

Jeff Wisnia wrote the following:

Like the others here, I don't know what the stuff is and don't know how to remove it, but I won't give you a WAG. Drive the car to an auto glass shop and ask them what to do.

[Bob Villa]

I think the safest try would be to "Vise-Grip" it...and twist at the same plane as the glass.

bob