TheSamba.com :: View topic - Suction-cup on Windshield falls off (GPS)

Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:19 pm

Anybody have recommendations on the best way to prepare a suction cup to stay on the windshield semi-permanently? With just water, it falls off after a few weeks. Last time I used SPRITE® which lasted months. That was pretty good!

Is there anything "more permanent" than Sprite that doesn't damage the rubber suction cup?

I like to be able to remove it and transfer to another vehicle if necessary. But risk of falling, the power connector can be damaged, or break the screen or other risks of course.

Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:45 pm

Not a direct answer (sorry), but I gave up on the suction cup thing after I first got my Garmin. I use this instead: http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-10908-00-Portable...amp;sr=1-2 . Very stable and easily portable. There are other, more universal portable dash mounts on the market.

I also ditched the suction cups for the Just Kampers window blankets... my hatred for suction cups runs deep. :?

Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:47 pm

My GPS unit kept falling off too on my cross-country backroad trips. And that was after meticulously cleaning the windshield and rubber suction cup with windex. Last year a fellow vanagon camper in Utah told me to clean both the rubber suction cup and windshield with rubbing alcohol before applying the suction cup. Mine hasn't fallen off since. But alcohol may be no better than Sprite. Good luck!

Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:54 pm

Also not a direct answer, but mine has never fallen off. $16 on Amazon.

I have never cleaned the window or anything, just put it up against the glass and flip the suction lever and it stays there. And I have taken my van off road and hit lots of bumps and wash board roads and it holds tight.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M8ST36

Thu Feb 11, 2016 12:56 pm

My Garmin came with these little disks you can stick to the dash. You can suction cup to the disk instead of your windshield.
I put the disk on the dash next to the instrument cluster. The GPS rarely falls off, it's easier to see and easier to reach.
I ran the cable through the ashtray so it comes out behind the glove box and can plug into the lighter socket or an accessory 12V outlet.

Thu Feb 11, 2016 4:20 pm

I absolutely abhor gluing to and piercing with a screw my dash!

I also HATE suction cups on the glass..... For they don't stay (big surprise right?)

I got a bean bag GPS holder very similar to this one that has served me well for many many years!

Dave

Thu Feb 11, 2016 4:34 pm

Thread needs a GPS, it's lost track on the first page with a Mod in the driver's seat. :lol: :lol: :shock: :roll:

I wouldn't glue to the dash either. But I'd like to know if anyone has solved the suction-cup problem, and HOW.

Thu Feb 11, 2016 4:36 pm

Are u confident that u are pressing very firming before locking down the suction cup lever or does your device have one? I've also just licked the thing and never have had a problem assuming you firmly engage the suction and then lever. I dont think the choice of mpisture is as important as the suction cup itselft and locking mechanism. Your cup could be inadequate or a cheap-o. Seeing how u are in west Seattle go to marshals...they usually have a decent selection of mounts at low prices. Also, I've tried the as seen on TV green "miracle" stick one. Holds no problem to the windshield and the material which sucks to your phone works really well but when using the whole surface I've found its too strong...to the point where it requires two hands to remove without ripping the thing off the windshield. Also, that material gradually wears out, it being a tacky surface. U can wash dust and dirt off of it but it still gradually loses its stick. Its a cool idea but wouldn't recommend. They sell them at bartels if ur curious to try.

Thu Feb 11, 2016 4:39 pm

Definitely clean. that's rule number one it won't stick for weeks with just water unless it's done very well. And you can look from outside thru the window to see if there's an air bubble.

Already have the Garmin mount, and it has the plug-in for the power etc, I doubt Bartels has that feature.

Need the next level. Sprite was good because it washes off with water. Maybe vaseline? Someone must have solved this.

......making the suction cup stick longer than a couple months.

Thu Feb 11, 2016 4:52 pm

No glue or screws with my application. Just some sticky adhesive on the bottom of the disk that could easily be removed.

Thu Feb 11, 2016 4:59 pm

here is my tip... It's worked for me for years for various applications.

-microwave a dish of water to between warm and hot, and let your suction cup sit in that for a few minutes while you clean the window.

-Wash the window (obviously,) get that sucker clean as hell.

-after window is washed, wipe down area with 99% ISO rubbing alcohol.

-remove now warm suction cup from dish, dry thoroughly (and quickly,) dip finger in ISO 99% and rub very thin layer along suction cup.

-apply suction cup.

Hopefully, if you managed the last 2 steps in a timely enough manner, when you apply the cup it should still be a little warm and pliable.... as it cools it will pull it tighter against it's suction on the window. I've found that just one of those (alcohol/warming the suction cup) doesn't cut it, but both seem to cause that sucker to stick and stick HARD... (fair warning, I had one stick so well that when removed a few years later it had adhered itself to the window... removing black rubber from my window sucked.)

DO NOT USE ADHESIVE, that's scary business...

Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:08 pm

I solved the suction cup and theft problem by using a patch of loop velcro on the dash and a patch of hook velcro on the GPS. The self stick loop velcro isn't very sticky on Vanagon plastic so you need a large patch of loop and a small patch of hook. I can stick it on the dash or pull and put it out of sight.

What kind of glue will stick to Vanagon plastic?

Aloha
tp

Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:18 pm

I always take my suction cup off (not just the GPS itself) when parking to discourage break-ins. In Vancouver, you can't leave anything valuable in your car, nor anything that even suggests that valuables are hidden in the car. :x

Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:54 pm

carefully clean the window & suction cup

then stick it up there with Golden Retriever saliva

Thu Feb 11, 2016 6:52 pm

Merian wrote: carefully clean the window & suction cup

then stick it up there with Golden Retriever saliva

Ha!

That I've got!

But honestly, my Newfoundland had a LOT more saliva to harness than my Golden has ever had!
Anyone have a use for Golden Fur? :wink:

Dave

Thu Feb 11, 2016 6:59 pm

djkeev wrote: Merian wrote: carefully clean the window & suction cup

then stick it up there with Golden Retriever saliva

Ha!

That I've got!

But honestly, my Newfoundland had a LOT more saliva to harness than my Golden has ever had!
Anyone have a use for Golden Fur? :wink:

Dave

Learn how to make yarn and sell that stuff on etsy... You'd be surprised how well you'd do.

Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:05 pm

yes, and it is really good match for the beige brown interior on the '86's, Dave

Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:05 pm

If you want to use the mount and suction cup you currently have try a little hairspray on the suction cup before you put it on the windshield. If you want an awesome cell phone/GPS mount check this out http://www.amazon.com/iMagnet-Cradle-less-Universal-Windshield-Dashboard/dp/B008IOQ3K6 it even sticks to the dashboard.

Fri Feb 12, 2016 5:29 am

I am hoping this works well:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035JL4V2/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_g422_i1_sh

On my daily commuter, I use a Garmin suction mount on the windshield. I keep a bunch of alcohol wipes in the car to keep cleaning the window when it falls off. I am going to use the dash mount in the Westsy. Going to try to run the power/traffic receiver cable through the ashtray.

Fri Feb 12, 2016 5:50 pm

DwarfVader wrote: here is my tip... It's worked for me for years for various applications.
-microwave a dish of water to between warm and hot, and let your suction cup sit in that for a few minutes while you clean the window.
-Wash the window (obviously,) get that sucker clean as hell.
-after window is washed, wipe down area with 99% ISO rubbing alcohol.
-remove now warm suction cup from dish, dry thoroughly (and quickly,) dip finger in ISO 99% and rub very thin layer along suction cup.
-apply suction cup.
Hopefully, if you managed the last 2 steps in a timely enough manner, when you apply the cup it should still be a little warm and pliable.... as it cools it will pull it tighter against it's suction on the window. I've found that just one of those (alcohol/warming the suction cup) doesn't cut it, but both seem to cause that sucker to stick and stick HARD... (fair warning, I had one stick so well that when removed a few years later it had adhered itself to the window... removing black rubber from my window sucked.)

Hmmm might try this one. But then every time you take it off you have to go thru that again.