How to Reduce the Glare of a Side Mirror
by Serena Styles
Glare from the sun or other drivers' headlights can reflect in the side mirrors of your vehicle and inhibit your ability to see. Specialized night driving mirrors are available for some vehicles, but these modifications often cost hundreds of dollars. According to David Vespremi, author of "Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies," the addition of window tint over side mirrors will help reduce glare. You can apply window tint from home for a cost-effective glare treatment.
Step 1
Place a piece of paper over the side mirror and use your thumb to press it down until you can see its shape clearly. Trace this shape with a pencil.
Step 2
Cut out the traced shape using scissors. Be careful to cut the exact shape, as this is your tinting stencil.
Step 3
Place the stencil over a 20 percent blue tinting sheet and cut carefully around it to get the correct shape for your side mirror. Repeat to make a second one if you wish to treat both side mirrors.
Step 4
Wash both side mirrors with a paper towel and warm water to remove any dirt from the surface.
Step 5
Peel the adhesive backing away from one sheet of window tint.
Step 6
Spray the adhesive side of the window tint, as well as the side mirror, with an even coating of water.
Step 7
Press the window tint onto the mirror, matching the shape as accurately as possible. Once you have pressed it onto the mirror, slide it into place so you cannot see any remaining untinted surface.
Step 8
Remove any air bubbles from under the window tint by drawing a small squeegee across the surface from left to right and top to bottom.
Step 9
Repeat with the other mirror and allow to dry for 24 hours before driving the vehicle.
References
- "Auto Repair For Dummies"; Deanna Sclar; 2008
- "Car Hacks & Mods For Dummies"; David Vespremi; 2004
Tips
- Do not purchase window tint darker than 20 percent as it will impede your sight during night driving, Vespremi advises.
Things You'll Need
- Small squeegee
- 20 percent blue window tint
- Spray bottle
- Scissors
- Paper towel
Writer Bio
Serena Styles is a Colorado-based writer who specializes in health, fitness and food. Speaking three languages and working on a fourth, Styles is pursuing a Bachelor's in Linguistics and preparing to travel the world. When Styles isn't writing, she can be found hiking, cooking or working as a certified nutritionist.
