Reattaching a car's rearview mirror is a relatively quick and simple project.

Whether it is from the heat of summer or the bitter cold of winter, most every vehicle rearview mirror will, at some point in time, come crashing down. Luckily, reattaching a rearview mirror is an inexpensive and easy project.

Step 1: Purchase a rearview mirror adhesive kit from your local hardware store or automotive store. Mirror adhesive kits have a relatively short shelf life. Skip the kits from the dollar store or the ones that have been tucked away in a drawer for a while. Other glues will not do the job; use only rearview mirror adhesive.

Step 2: On a temperate day, out of direct sunlight, identify the spot where the mirror was adhered to the windshield. Use masking tape or a crayon to clearly mark the original mounting spot from the outside of the windshield.

Step 3: Locate the metal mounting button on the end of the mirror arm. Use a flat headed screw driver to release the mounting button and slide it off the mounting bracket. All vehicles are a little different; it may be necessary to refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for specific instructions.

Step 4: Mark the underside of the mounting button with a piece of masking tape and draw an arrow pointing to the top of the button to ensure the button gets remounted right side up. Hold the mirror in position to double-check the proper orientation.

Step 5: Use a scraper and sandpaper to clean the old adhesive off the mounting button.

Step 6: Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the old adhesive from the inside of the windshield. Wipe the mounting button with isopropyl alcohol too.

Step 7: Follow the directions included with the mirror adhesive kit and prime both the mounting button and the marked mounting spot on the inside of the windshield. Allow the primer to dry for two minutes. If the kit does not include primer, move on to the next step.

Step 8: Open the adhesive packet in the kit and apply one drop of adhesive to the center of the mounting button.

Step 9: Referring to the arrow and tape on the underside of the mounting button, press the mounting button into the marked position on the inside of the windshield.

Step 10: Hold the button in place for two minutes. Allow the adhesive to set eight to 12 hours before reattaching the rearview mirror.

— Questions? Linda Cottin can be reached at hardware@sunflower.com.