How do I stick mounting tabs to a tinted rear windshield??

hd54321 · 03-29-2005, 02:45 PM

Hey guys, I need to stick some plastic mounting tabs onto my rear windshield. The mounting tabs are holding up an automobile TV antenna to the top of my rear windshield. The windshield has Llumar tint on it. The double sided tape provided with the mounting tabs started falling off in hot weather.

I want a semi-permanent solution so I could remove it when I sell the car without completely damaging the tint. I went to Home Depot last night and picked up a new role of double-sided tape as well as some glass glue (the type that cures with UV/daylight exposure).

I need some tips, suggestions and recommendations before I crack open the glue or the tape. Thanks!

-HD

hd54321 · 03-30-2005, 04:10 PM

bumpppp

cmon, someone has to have some good input on this topic...

jcdillin · 03-30-2005, 04:14 PM

did you try suction cups?

Saab9-5 · 03-30-2005, 04:41 PM

Let's see if I can describe this well enough. You have a straight plastic tab about 2 inches long, 1/4-inch wide and as thick as a credit card. One end goes between the headliner and the roof at the top edge of the rear window. This is secured with some strong adhesive or such. About 1 inch peeks out from the headliner and you attach your antenna to this tab using plastic zip ties, velcro, etc. The number of tabs needed is determined by you and your antenna and can be evenly spaced across the top edge.

This would avoid sticking anything to the tint or window and can be removed without anyone being the wiser.

Are you following me or should I draw up a picture or two?

hd54321 · 03-30-2005, 11:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Saab9-5

Let's see if I can describe this well enough. You have a straight plastic tab about 2 inches long, 1/4-inch wide and as thick as a credit card. One end goes between the headliner and the roof at the top edge of the rear window. This is secured with some strong adhesive or such. About 1 inch peeks out from the headliner and you attach your antenna to this tab using plastic zip ties, velcro, etc. The number of tabs needed is determined by you and your antenna and can be evenly spaced across the top edge.

This would avoid sticking anything to the tint or window and can be removed without anyone being the wiser.

Are you following me or should I draw up a picture or two?

Yeah - you're basically saying to not stick anything on the window, rather mount something between the headliner and the roof and stick the antenna mounting tabs to that.

Though it's a creative idea, I would rather have it go on the window just for TV viewing capability. Thanks for the input!

jcdillin · 03-31-2005, 02:13 PM

but the idea I think he is describing is going to make the antenna still on the window, just not attached to the window

Saab9-5 · 03-31-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jcdillin

but the idea I think he is describing is going to make the antenna still on the window, just not attached to the window

Exactly. The tabs would stick out from the headliner to the window allowing you to have the antenna mounted in the glass area so that it can be exposed for better reception. But attachment of the tabs to the car would not be to the glass - or specifically to the Llumar film - but to a point higher up between the headliner and roof.

I've attached some pictures to help illustrate what I'm describing. In the pictures, the red line represents the antenna. In the side and detail views, the dark blue is the part of the tab that hides up in the ceiling between the headliner and the roof. The green is the part of the tab that is exposed and holds the antenna. The blue part is mounted using an adhesive to the roof and since we're talking about a piece of plastic no thicker than a credit card, it will fit flush against the rear window. Cut just small enough or painted just right, you won't even see it.

In the first picture looking up at the ceiling from the backseat, I show 5 tabs going across. You may or may not be able to use the middle tab - the third brake light in my Saab is ceiling mounted and would be in the way.

jcdillin · 03-31-2005, 03:13 PM

yeah thats what I was thinking