Owners of Xiaomi car gadgets often face the need to dismantle the device, whether to replace the battery, update the firmware or reposition in another car. DVR fastening can be done on a reliable suction cup or adhesive 3M, and just so to tear the gadget can not always. Wrong actions can lead to damage to the windshield, tinting breakage or break the device itself.
In this article, we will look at proven methods of safe dismantling that will help avoid expensive interior repairs. You will learn what tools you will need, how to soften the glue and why you can not pull the device with a jerk. Xiaomi Yi and other models of the brand have their design features that are important to consider when maintaining.
The removal process requires patience and care, especially if the device has been hanging on the glass for a long time under direct sunlight. Glass temperature above 40 degrees Celsius makes it much easier to separate the adhesive base. We have prepared a step-by-step guide that will help you to cope with the task in a few minutes without unnecessary nerves and damage.
Tools and workplace preparation
Before the procedure, you need to prepare all the necessary tools to avoid distractions in the process. You will need a thin line, dental floss or a special string to remove the glasses, and you will also need to purchase a spray with a glass cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to remove glue residues.
It is important to ensure good lighting of the work area so that you can see the edges of the mount and not scratch the torpedo. If you work in a garage, make sure it is warm enough as the glue becomes stiffer and brittle in the cold. Some models may need a thin plastic card or mediator.
- 🧵 Thin fishing line or dental floss (to cut off the adhesive layer)
- 💧 Isopropyl alcohol or degreasing
- 🌡️ Hair dryer (construction or household) for heating
- 🧻 Microfiber for surface wiping
Make sure you have all the items on hand before you start dismantling the DVR. Lack of the right tool at a critical moment can lead to a slip of the arm and damage to the interior. Preparation takes a couple of minutes, but saves a lot of time and nerves in the future.
Features of fastening Xiaomi Yi and other models
Most models, such as the Xiaomi Yi Dash Cam, use a magnetic mount or rotary mechanism, which allows you to quickly remove the camera to charge or transfer data without touching the main platform on the glass. However, the platform itself is attached to either a powerful suction cup or a 3M VHB double-sided tape.
Suction cups lose rubber elasticity over time and can dry to the glass "deadly." 3M adhesive tape, in turn, becomes hard as a stone under the influence of ultraphile. Understanding the type of attachment is a key point in choosing the right removal strategy.
If you have a suction model, you can often just pull the lever and pull it, but if it's stuck, you'll have to be smart. For adhesives, heating is a must, without which you're at high risk of damaging the glass or leaving glue.
Suction method without damage
Removing the suction cup is usually easier, but it requires caution. First, try to turn the locking lever to the end. If it is tight, do not use excessive force so as not to break the plastic mechanism. You better slightly press on the center of the suction cup to break the vacuum.
In some cases, the rubber part will dry to the glass, where you can carefully insert a thin blade or plastic card under the edge of the rubber, and you need to act slowly, trying not to cut the rubber itself and not scratch the glass, and after removing the base, wipe the attachment area with alcohol.
- 🔄 Check the locking lever in the open position
- 🖐️ Carefully pull the device on yourself, swinging from side to side
- 🗡️ If necessary, apply a plastic tool to the suction cup.
If the suction cup is removed with the rotary mechanism, inspect the hinge joint, often there is a collection of dust that needs to be removed before re-installing, the clean mechanism ensures reliable fixation and the correct angle of view of the camera.
Dismantling of 3M-based adhesive fastening
The hardest part is removing the base that's glued to the double-sided tape. The 3M VHB tape is designed for extreme conditions, so you can't just peel it off. The first and most important step is heating it. Use a hair dryer to warm up the glue site for 2-3 minutes.
⚠️ Warning: Do not overheat the glass locally at one point to avoid thermal expansion and cracks. Move the hair dryer evenly over the mounting area.
Once heated, take a dental floss or a fishing line, get it over the edge of the attachment, and with the sawing movements, cut off the adhesive layer, the thread must pass as close to the glass as possible so that the device has minimal glue left, and it's a long process that requires patience.
☑️ The glue removal algorithm
When the base is separated, there's a layer of glue left on the glass and on the holder itself, which needs to be removed mechanically and chemically, and for glass, you can use a sharp-angle blade, and for the plastic of the holder, only soft solvents, so that the body doesn't melt.
Removal of glue residues and cleaning of glass
After the device is physically separated, there are often unpleasant sticky marks on the glass, and isopropyl alcohol or a specialized asphalt cleaner is ideal for removing them, apply it to the microfiber and intensely rub the contaminated area.
If the glue is old and has become hard, you can gently scrape it off with a blade, holding it at an angle of 30 degrees to the surface, the main thing is not to use metal scrapers on tinted glass, otherwise you will damage the film.
| Type of pollution | Tool. | Remedy. | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh glue. | Napkin. | ALCOURT | Low. |
| The old layer | Blade (carefully) | Antisilicone | Medium. |
| Rubber crumb | Lasser | No chemistry. | Low. |
| On the tinting. | Only fabric. | Soap solution | High (if rubbed) |
The final step is to polish the glass with a clean dry cloth, which will remove the stains and prepare the surface for a new mount or re-mounting, and clean glass is the key to a quality picture and reliable fixation.
Frequent Dismantling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users make the mistake of trying to tear the recorder off with a jerk, which can cause a piece of glue to fly off the glass along with particles of tinting or even the surface itself (rarely, but it happens on defective windshields).
Another mistake is to use aggressive solvents like acetone on plastic parts of the case, which can lead to clouding of the plastic or destruction of the structure of the holder. Always check the reaction of the material in an inconspicuous place.
What do I do if the suction cup comes off?
Don't ignore the condition of the mount itself. If the rubber suction cup cracks or loses shape, it's pointless to reuse it, and it's cheaper to buy a new base than to risk the fall of a costly Xiaomi recorder on the bump.
Installation of new anchorage and check of fixation
After successful dismantling and cleaning, it often comes up with the question of installing it. If you use a new adhesive base, be sure to degrease the glass with alcohol and let it dry. +15 degrees Celsius.
Press the base tightly against the glass and hold for 30-60 seconds. For full polymerization of 3M adhesive, it is recommended not to hang heavy devices or vibrate for 24 hours. This will ensure maximum strength of the adhesion.
- 🧼 Degrease the surface with alcohol
- ☀️ Warm up glass and glue (if it's cold)
- ⏳ Let the glue infuse 24 hours before loading
Check the camera angle after installation. It should cover the hood and the road ahead without overlapping with the cabin elements. Proper installation ensures that you do not have to take the DVR off again anytime soon.
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Use a primer (adhesion activator), which often comes with new adhesive bases, applied to the glass before gluing and greatly enhances the grip, especially in the cold.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install a registrar in the area where janitors work or right in front of airbags. This can be dangerous and legally prohibited in some countries.
Maintenance and storage
If you're taking off a storage device in the off-season, take care of the battery.Lithium-ion batteries don't tolerate full discharge and storage at extreme temperatures. Charge the device to 60-70% before cleaning into the closet.
Store the DVR in the original box or soft case to protect the lens from scratches. Camera optics are the most sensitive element, and even micro-scratches can worsen night shooting. Avoid direct sunlight on the case when stored.
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Regular cleaning of the lens and checking of the mounting prolong the service life of the DVR and provide evidence in the event of an accident.
Compliance with these simple rules will allow your Xiaomi gadget to serve faithfully for many years to come. Proper dismantling is the first step to the proper operation of automotive electronics.