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Geek Culture / I just made a big bone-headed mistake... stressed

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Jeku
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 06:55 Edited at: 17th Mar 2010 06:56
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Hey,

I just bought a new Garmin Nuvi GPS system, and since it is my first GPS I excitedly hooked it up in a hurry and attached it to my car's windshield. In my absent-mindedness, and because I'm a car accessory noob, I attached the adhesive mount to the windshield instead of the rubber suction mount! Nooooooooo!!! I tried to pick it off with my fingers but it won't come off! It is in a comfortable spot, but I don't want a permanent adhesive on my brand new car's windshield!!

Apparently the adhesive is for the dashboard, NOT the windshield

I searched Google and only found one other guy who made this mistake, and he went to a windshield place to have it removed. I'm going to go there this week and pretend it was my wife to save embarrassment.

Anyone else have a better idea to do this on my own, without damaging the glass?


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Kevin Picone
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 07:02
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looks like you've made two mistakes then,

1) See above

2) Telling us about it


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Daniel wright 2311
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 07:24 Edited at: 17th Mar 2010 07:24
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heat might just do the trick, dont apply water to it as it will harden it. scrap it off after its hot and melted

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DJ Almix
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 07:38
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Post a picture

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Neuro Fuzzy
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 07:47
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hmmm... how stupid are you tho? Did it say in big red letters "SUPER DUPER PERMANENT ADHESIVE"?

I got no clues though. I would try to find out the chemical composition of the adhesive and get some cleaning solution based on that.


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BiggAdd
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 08:04
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Have you tried acetone or a super glue remover?

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Toasty Fresh
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 09:56
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Umm... I hope you really like your GPS?

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David R
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 10:07 Edited at: 17th Mar 2010 10:09
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If you're desperate not to have a complete windshield change, get a razor blade and some rubbing alcohol.

The only downside is that depending on the type of glass it may be very prone to scratching

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Van B
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 10:15
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I'd have a go with a bottle of nail varnish remover first, it can take care of superglue in hair, so I'd give it fair odds against adhesive on glass - it should dissolve it fully, so less chance of residue.


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ionstream
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 10:22
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Yeah I think some kind of solvent and a polishing scrubber would do the trick, one of those spinning things.

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Kohaku
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 11:36
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I'd try scraping it off with a blade; shouldn't damage the screen if it's done at the right angle. When they repaired the chip in my screen they used a razor to get off the excess solution that had dried on.

Just watch your fingers!



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Fallout
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 11:57
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I would put my money on heat. You can use a heat gun to break down many bonds and seals, since the compound used typically doesn't work above a certain temp.

If you don't have a heat gun, try a hair dryer. Get it nice and hot, and it'll go tacky. Then peal it off.

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Michael P
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 12:23
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Don't worry it won't be long until someone breaks in and rips it off for you

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soapyfish
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 14:15
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Isopropyl Alcohol might do the trick, 98% if you can find it.

Apparently any circular marks on the windscreen are a dead giveaway as to which cars are worth breaking into if you're looking to steal someone's gps from their glove box.

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Oolite
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 17:37
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White spirit might work, but best to start off with nail polish remover as white spirit is lethal stuff and can rip paint of almost anything. I usually use nail varnish remover for getting stickers off glass panes and those god awful stickers on new laptops. Tends to get rid of all the sticky stuff left over without stripping the paint or décor off things.

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Slow Programmer
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 20:26
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Call Garmin. I am sure they have heard this before and can probably advise you
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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 17th Mar 2010 21:36
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Quote: "I searched Google and only found one other guy who made this mistake"


You and he/she are not alone. I made a very similar mistake about a year ago when I fitted a bridge toll device to my windscreen. The instructions seemed to be clear - it was supposed to be close to the rear view mirror so it wouldn't obstruct the forward view. I turned the mirror out of the way to make access easier - and duly fitted the device's mounting block using the adhesive pad. Everything seemed fine till I had to drive away and found that when the toll device was inserted into its mounting block I could no longer turn the mirror to its correct position. I suddenly felt very foolish for some reason...

Quote: "looks like you've made two mistakes then,

1) See above

2) Telling us about it"


I feel even more foolish now.
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BMacZero
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Posted: 18th Mar 2010 00:52
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Lawsuit!

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MSon
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Posted: 18th Mar 2010 01:02
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I wouldn't worry too much as it just proves your masculinity by your belief that you didnt need to read the installation manuel

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Jeku
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Posted: 18th Mar 2010 01:27 Edited at: 18th Mar 2010 01:30
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Quote: "Don't worry it won't be long until someone breaks in and rips it off for you"


I laughed!

I called Speedy Auto Glass today and the guy said he can remove it in about a half hour using a razor blade. I'd rather pay a pro to do it than risk damaging the windshield myself.

Thanks for all your suggestions

Quote: "Apparently any circular marks on the windscreen are a dead giveaway as to which cars are worth breaking into if you're looking to steal someone's gps from their glove box."


Yes, I will be ordering one of those bean bag mounts or something similar as to not give it away. I take my GPS inside with me anyways--- I would never leave it in the car!


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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 18th Mar 2010 20:11
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Quote: "I would never leave it in the car!"


How long before we see a post "Guess what I left in the house when I needed it in the car."?
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Deathead
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Posted: 18th Mar 2010 20:25
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Guess what I left in the house when I needed it in the car. lol jk

Well, I hope you get it fixed and no extreme damage to your car Jeku.



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Jeku
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Posted: 19th Mar 2010 06:45
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Well, my friend and I drove to Speedy today on the lunch break and the guy got out a spray can of some kind of chemical and a giant razor blade. He sprayed and sawed for about 5 minutes and got it off with no mark! He didn't even charge me, either! Yay


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Neuro Fuzzy
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Posted: 19th Mar 2010 06:53
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David R
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Posted: 19th Mar 2010 09:50
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Yeah, it's nice to know some people will still fix stupid mistakes for free

Had this a few years ago with my mum: She managed to hammer a nail directly through a water pipe (clearly she didn't check for cables/pipes before hand). Water was spraying everywhere - and what's worse, is that the house used a closed system boiler that relied on pressure. If the pressure dropped below a certain level the boiler was liable to.... well, go bang.

Luckily, a plumber turned up... fixed the pipe and then... charged nothing!

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Nickydude
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Posted: 19th Mar 2010 17:20 Edited at: 19th Mar 2010 17:21
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Quote: "Well, my friend and I drove to Speedy today on the lunch break and the guy got out a spray can of some kind of chemical and a giant razor blade. He sprayed and sawed for about 5 minutes and got it off with no mark! He didn't even charge me, either! Yay"


A conscientious mechanic!

Quote: "Luckily, a plumber turned up... fixed the pipe and then... charged nothing!"


Good grief! What's the world coming too when people are 'nice' to each other? It's not natural!



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