This idea works!! I did it and it made a big difference in the suction cup staying put. Lots of other people have ideas, but your idea is the real fix. Thanks!
That is a great tip.- After trying lots of things I discovered that where the soft and the hard plastic meet, there was a almost invisible tear in the soft plastic where the air would go out (in, actually:) straight away. A bit of superglue helped a lot already, now for the finishing touch I´ll try a hairdryer.
I'm excited to try this with my turtle dock. I must admit the real reason I wanted to leave a comment is your voice! The tone has such an soothing warmth - Intoxicating!
mate you're a legend. I've been trying to figure out why it happens and I thought it had something to do with the spring!!! didn't notice the rubber part!
Its easy to take the pin out (I used a meat skewer from the kitchen drawer) and separate the parts. easy peasy. Then you can hold the rubber (and a little plastic part) over the gas burner for a minute or two. But there is probably no need. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE RUBBER BECOMES POROUS. I got some furniture polish and rubbed in at least two layers into the rubber with my finger. That fills all the pores and creates a proper VACUUM again.
This works. Be sure to clean the area on the windshield as well. It will have a thin film in the area. I used baby wipes and my fingernail as to not scratch the glass. It can take a little while bit it's worth it. 👍🏻
Ha, you da man! I would also like to add if I may, That whoever performs this method first wipe the entire face of the suction cup with denatured alcohol and a clean cotton rag prior to applying heat so it’s not too enbed any pre-existing dirt particles into the soft rubber, followed by a application of vinyl dressing (armor all) after it has cooled.
Cool... I didn't think of using my heat gun. I rejuvenate suction cups all the time by dropping them into boiling water for 30 seconds and then dropping them in cold water to cool fast but, it didn't work for this suction cup. Problem solved. Thanks for your post.
I guess between the sun and temperature variations that’s what deforms the suction cup? Guess I’ll be doing this every 6 mos or so? Thanks for the vid!
Any idea on how to keep the ball part stiff, that has become loose over time as well and everytime I play music my sub woofers make it slowly angle down
I have cleaned both my suction cup for my Garmin and the sticking surface with glass cleaner with no luck. I might try this trick when I get the chance.
Don't know if the material used on TomTom suction cups is thin, but I used a heat gun for less than a minute and it cracked the material where it connects in the centre and deformed in another area beyond repair.
I will try. Here in Florida sun they don't last long.When this works I will just release the suction when not in use and let is lay on the dash until needed. Should last longer that way. Oops! Mine has a crack in the rubber suction cup so need to order new one. Did learn to place mount in holder as it get too hot for fingers. Also found after heating I could hold down the edges with my fingers and plunge into bucket of cold water to retain the new shape.
I did not mount mine on the windshield...I mounted it on the dash just above where the console meets the dash front...its perfect and I dont ever look down when i'm driving I pull over If i need to type info into it or do it before I leave to where I am going. I mounted it with double back tape on the metal part of the dash in my truck! No probs for two years!!
I tried it, but stopped before it went completely flat. I could tell the difference on the first use. It just felt more secure and held so far without fail.
LOL!! you're awesome!! trub is mine i went to touch the plastic bit an it just fell apart!! so now stupid navman dont sell the MIvue 530 and I'll be stuffed if i will buy a new dashcam just because navaman dont have the same mounts for all models!!
Also, did you heat the cup with it in the “Locked or Unlocked “ position? I have a Mount for an Escort Radar detector, and it looks as if that “Center Divot” came like that !
I used petroleum Jelly. I put a lot of force into trying to break it free from the windshield and I failed. After you apply the Jelly and stick it to the windshield use a heat gun and heat it up from the outside and what that does is once the stuff dries it becomes sticky and it will stay for you.
do you think the heat on our dashboard on a hot day would produce enough heat to reshape the divot also? a thought for those without a heat gun or hair dryer. supposedly we can bake cookies on a hot day.
No, probably not. You may be able to get away with using a lighter, but be very careful because the silicone might bubble if you get it too hot in one spot. After using the lighter you will probably have to clean the soot off of the suction cup, but other than that it should work.
Tried a hair dryer, failed to get the "divot" out. Bought a heat gun. Heated the suction cup until it was completely flat. Attached it to my windshield. Hit the bump at the bottom of my driveway. GPS is on the floor.