We are so accustomed to a cell phone that we cannot live without it, let alone a day or an hour. He is with us everywhere: at home, on a walk, in the office, and, of course, in the car. The development of technology has allowed the once ordinary means of communication to become a navigator, an additional instrument panel, and even a diagnostic center. There are a lot of programs tailored exclusively to the needs of car enthusiasts. As well as a lot of options for mounting smartphones in the cabin. Let's look at the most common of them and find out what the pros and cons of such structures are, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of fastening methods

WINDSHIELD MOUNTING

This method of car mounting a smartphone is perhaps the most common. Holders with a suction cup and claws, between which the device is attached, were among the first to appear. The simple design made it possible to mount the communication device on the windshield. It must be admitted that even today such holders are popular among car enthusiasts. And to show off, as they say, is relatively cheap and quite convenient. As for the cost, of course, such holders, if they are not from famous manufacturers, part of the cost of which is the price for the brand, are quite affordable. But as for convenience, it’s worth thinking about when choosing this or that holder. First, you need to pay attention to the length of the bracket between the suction cup and the jaws of the holder. If it is insufficient, the phone will be mounted too far from the driver due to the slope of the windshield if it is mounted at the bottom. If you fix it in a place where it is easily accessible, then, most likely, it will hang almost in the middle of the windshield, which is also inconvenient, because it will block part of the view. This is especially true if the screen diagonal is quite large. A bracket that is too long is also not very good, because while moving the smartphone will vibrate, creating some inconvenience.

However, if this type of smartphone mounting in a car seems most preferable to you, then you should choose brackets with a telescopic leg. In this case, you will be able to find the optimal position.

MOUNTING TO VENTILATION GRILLE

This method of fastening appeared relatively recently, but it already has many fans. The relatively small design is attached to the grille slats with a universal clothespin, thereby allowing the smartphone to be placed in close proximity to the driver. Everything is simple and relatively convenient, but you need to understand that, firstly, such a mount cannot catch on every ventilation grill.

Secondly, even if the design of the air duct allows you to attach it to it, then by attaching a telephone there, you are blocking one of the channels of the ventilation system.

Thirdly, such a mount can be directly harmful to the smartphone. Alas, it is not possible to block the air flow with the lamellas open on every car, therefore, the smartphone will be exposed to it. Now imagine that you turned on the stove to maximum. How will a smartphone feel in such a sauna? So, when choosing this method of fastening, first make sure whether it is possible to block the air duct without closing the slats, and also see if the clamp can be secured to them. There are, of course, more advanced designs, but these are really designs, and sometimes quite cumbersome.

INSTRUMENT PANEL MOUNTING

It must be said that there are quite a lot of designs that allow you to mount a smartphone directly on the instrument panel. The first thing that comes to mind is attaching the holder to the instrument panel using a suction cup. In fact, this is the same holder that was intended for mounting on the windshield, only now it can be attached to a rough panel.

This became possible after the suction cup began to be made from the same material as Velcro mats. This suction cup securely attaches to both the glass and the instrument panel. The main condition is that the part of the panel to which the suction cup is attached is thoroughly degreased. The advantage of this mount is that the holder can be placed in any convenient place. The downside is that not every Velcro sticks well to a shagreen surface.

Crocodile holders also found their followers. This is actually a large clothespin that is also attached with Velcro to the dashboard, and the phone is held in the open mouth of the “reptile”. When there is no phone, such a holder does not dominate the dashboard. The only inconvenience of this design is that you won’t be able to quickly tuck the phone in one direction or another; you’ll have to re-glue the entire holder.

There are designs that are attached directly to the visor of the instrument panel. In this case, the phone is located above the visor.

The undoubted advantage of this design is that the smartphone is constantly in the peripheral zone of vision, and it does not take much time to turn your gaze to it, if necessary, and back to the road. In addition, this design provides a fairly high-quality standard speakerphone, because the smartphone is located not far from the driver’s head.

It is also worth mentioning the holders, which evolved from Velcro mats.

In fact, this is still the same Velcro, only now it has a certain shape that allows you not only to place the phone on the dashboard, but also to secure it at a certain angle for ease of reading information. There are also designs that allow you to charge your phone through an adapter. Moreover, the adapter itself is equipped with two connectors at once: micro-USB and iPhone.

Not long ago, car holders for smartphones with neodymium magnets appeared. Their dimensions are so small that they practically do not affect the interior design of the car.

Such a holder is attached in any convenient place to the instrument panel with the included Velcro, and the phone itself is then simply magnetized to this holder with the back cover.

A prerequisite for the operation of such a holder is the need to glue a small metal plate, which is included in the kit, to the back cover of the phone, or put it between the phone and the case, if there is one. It must be said that such a mount is very convenient because it does not require clear positioning of the phone in the holder, and therefore there is no need to be distracted from the road. I stuck it on without looking and off I went.

STEERING WHEEL MOUNTING

Such holders also provide fairly high-quality hands-free communication, and the smartphone is always in front of your eyes. However, these are perhaps the only advantages of such a mount. It has many more disadvantages. Let's start with the fact that, for obvious reasons, it will be impossible to supply power to a phone mounted in this way and you will have to rely only on the power of the battery. At the same time, the phone also covers part of the instrument panel, and if, for example, the speedometer or tachometer is still somehow visible, then you can easily not notice the illuminated emergency oil pressure or temperature icon. And the last thing is that such a mount will definitely interfere in an emergency situation, when the steering wheel needs to be rotated intensively, changing the grip.

REAR VIEW MIRROR MOUNTING

This type of mount allows you to mount your smartphone just below the rear view mirror. On the one hand, such a mount seems quite convenient, because the phone is in close proximity to the eyes, but it is also worth thinking about the fact that a smartphone mounted in this way can significantly block the driver’s view.

In addition, if the mirror hinge does not have sufficient rigidity, a suspended smartphone may disrupt its settings.

SUN VISOR MOUNTING

Such a fastening can only be considered relatively successful. Firstly, what should you do with your smartphone if you have to use the visor? Secondly, not every visor is able to withstand the weight of a smartphone and, most likely, it will have to be pushed up all the time, especially on a bad road. Thirdly, looking up all the time to check the route is not very convenient. In addition, for many drivers, such an “exercise” can cause discomfort.

CAR MOUNT FOR CD PLAYER

Most cars are standardly equipped with a CD player, but there are not so many people left who listen to CDs. Flash drives and SD cards now fill the salon with your favorite tracks. Why not use the vacant slot in the instrument panel, the inventors thought and made a mount that is held on the instrument panel, inserted into this slot. The decision, it must be said, is quite prudent, because in this case the smartphone is in front of your eyes, it’s convenient to reach with your hand, and it doesn’t interfere with your view. The only disadvantage is that if you suddenly want to change a boring disk, you will have to remove the mount. However, this is not so difficult to do.

CAR MOUNTING IN CIGARET LIGHTER

Yes, there are such options. It must be said that by attaching the holder to the cigarette lighter socket, you are nevertheless left with both a 12-volt socket and a couple of USB connectors.

The claws themselves or the magnet that holds the smartphone are on a flexible leg, which allows you to use this mount in cars with both vertical and horizontal cigarette lighter placement, simply by bending the leg to the desired location. But, as practice shows, when the cigarette lighter is positioned horizontally, such a holder may begin to rotate in the socket under the weight of the smartphone. So it is preferable for this mount to have a vertical socket.

SMARTPHONE HOLDER IN CUP HOLDER

It would be strange if such a mount for a phone did not exist. It is a tube with a leg on which there are sponges or, as in other cases, a clamp or magnet. And so that this tube fits any glass holder, its volume can be increased by extending three spacer legs.

Is it convenient? Probably, someone will be interested in this method of attaching a smartphone, only in this case you deprive yourself of the opportunity to use the cup holder. However, there are models that not only do not deprive you of this opportunity, but also significantly increase the number of cup holders.

It is worth noting that such mounts can be considered convenient only if the cup holder is located quite high, say, on a high extension of the center console dividing the interior into two parts, otherwise you will have to reach down to the phone.

MAGNETIC ADAPTER FOR USB CONNECTOR

Speaking about smartphone holders, I would like to mention one more very convenient device. Remember how many times you had to aim the micro connector from the charger into the small socket of your smartphone. In ordinary life, this is not easy to do, since you need to find the appropriate position, and even more so while driving. You can simplify this procedure extremely by purchasing a magnetic adapter or cord with such a connector. One part of the adapter is inserted into the smartphone and remains there permanently, and the second part is located at the end of the wire.

To connect your smartphone to the cord, you just need to bring the cord to the connector, and the magnet will do the rest for you. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to catch the front or back side: charging, as well as data exchange, takes place in any position. By the way, this device is convenient not only in the car, but also at home.

Due to the fact that various things with suction cups are increasingly found in stores, the question of how to glue them so that the desired part is firmly fixed to the surface and you don’t have to worry about it becomes relevant. And this is the only issue that needs to be taken into account when purchasing items of this type, because otherwise it is a very convenient and quick way to secure the necessary interior elements, practically placing them in the right places. Shelves for the kitchen and bathroom, hooks for towels, soap dishes and many other useful things in everyday life can have this mounting option. And most importantly, it will not be at all difficult for you to remove these items without leaving any trace if you know how to properly fasten the part. With nails and drilling holes in the walls, this result will not work.

There are several factors that can affect the quality of the suction cup attachment. Among them are:

• surface material;
• the severity of the object installed on it;
• presence of factory defects.

Before attaching the suction cup, check it for defects in the form of a lump located on the side where it is glued to the surface. If you find this bulge, be sure to get rid of it with a knife. It is this that can influence the incomplete adhesion to the wall, and thus, after a while, the object on it will simply fall away.

You should also take into account the shape of the surface, because often the reason that this type of mount does not stick to the wall can be the raised surface of the tile or the presence of a textured pattern on it.

To secure lightweight items such as hooks or aquarium equipment, coat the Velcro with Vaseline. It is not harmful to fish, so you don’t have to worry about it affecting their health. However, this method is not suitable for heavier items.

Glue the suction cup onto the tile

When choosing items for the bathroom or kitchen, the owners understand that most of them can be mounted in this way. But this raises the question of ensuring that the fastening is strong, but does not leave marks on the surface.

So, the first thing you need to do is degrease the area where you will attach the Velcro. To do this, wash the tiles with soap or any other detergent. It is best not to attach the object “by eye”, but to mark the necessary points with a pencil or marker. Before you begin installing a shelf or any other store-bought item, inspect the box it came in. You can find there special polyethylene circles with one adhesive side. Stick them on the designated points and attach the suction cups themselves to them. If you don’t find such circles, you can always make them yourself.

To do this, buy self-adhesive plastic film at the stationery store. It is usually used for cold lamination purposes. For your case, you will need very little of it - a couple of centimeters. From this film, cut out circles of the required diameter and glue them as a base for the suction cups.

It is thanks to the base of polyethylene circles that your items will hold on long enough and you will not have to use glue for this.

How to glue a hook

Very often, when choosing interior elements for a bathroom or kitchen, owners are interested in the options for towel hooks. Many of them are attached using adhesive technology. But what if you want to hang not just a thin waffle towel, but a large bath towel on such a hook? How to attach a hook so that it can withstand any load? The task becomes especially difficult if you have placed textured tiles in the bathroom or kitchen, which do not allow the suction cup to fit tightly to the wall.

To be sure of the strength and durability of such a hook without spoiling the aesthetic appearance, use transparent silicone sealant. Apply it evenly onto the suction cup and press it to the surface. If the sealant runs off the edges, you can wipe it off immediately or scrape it off with a razor blade once it dries. By leaving such a hook to dry for a day, you can confidently use it in the future and not think that it will not withstand a large towel or robe. If you want to remove the hook, the clear sealant can be easily removed with a razor blade or wallpaper knife.

How to securely secure a soap dish

The soap dish, like other parts of the bathroom interior, may also have a fastening in the form of one or more Velcro. Since a soap dish is used more often than a hook or shelf, it is especially important to secure it so that it does not fall. To answer the question, you can simply look at the previous methods. Try first, before attaching the soap dish to the wall, moisten it with water and degrease the tiles with soap. If this method turns out to be unreliable, use silicone gel. This approach will certainly ensure the durability and aesthetics of your soap dish.

Glue the suction cup onto the glass

This especially often becomes a problem for drivers who complain about the insufficient strength of such windshield mounts for navigators, phone stands and other items in the car. It is important to remove dirt and grease from the surface on which you will be attaching the item. This can be done using glass cleaner that contains alcohol. In this case, you need to wash not only the surface, but also the Velcro itself. After this procedure, the secured item will not cause you any inconvenience.

Taking into account all the tips and recommendations, you can easily take advantage of comfortable interior elements. The methods proposed above will leave you no reason to worry about the strength of the fixed items and the duration of their use.

How to glue the suction cup? It doesn’t matter whether it’s new or an old one that you’re sorry to part with, the device must be properly and securely fastened. Nowadays, in almost any supermarket you can see a variety of different devices or simply decorative devices on suction cups. Before purchasing, few people think about how high quality the suction cup itself is and how long it will last. But when the installation processes begin, then we begin to indulge in reflection: will this structure withstand the “responsibilities” assigned to it?

In the interior, of course, such things look bright, positive and comfortable, and they are also quite practical in terms of fastening and dismantling. Mostly, small shelves for the kitchen or bathroom are equipped with suction cups: soap dishes, all kinds of holders for hair dryers, combs, toothbrushes, washcloths, hooks, towel rings and other things. As well as various devices that are attached to windows and glass in the form of thermometers, recorders or any other gadgets. The devices are often small in size and designed to hold light weight.

How to securely glue the suction cup?

How to reliably glue the suction cup “tightly”, but without using any “superglue”? The advantages of suction cups are that you don’t have to damage the walls, you don’t need to nail them down or drill holes for them. Suction cup fastenings provide convenient installation, ease of adjustment and easy disassembly. The reliability of the retaining element is affected by such points as:

• the quality of the raw materials from which the suction cup itself is made;
• presence of defects on the suction element;
• total weight pressing on the suction cup;
• the structure of the material on which the Velcro item should be located.

It often happens that on the concave side of the suction cup there are various defects in the form of tubercles, seams, microcracks and other flaws formed during manufacturing or transportation. Such moments do not allow the Velcro to stick evenly to the surface, so after a while it falls off. If a seam or other protrusion is detected, the layering should be immediately carefully removed with a blade or utility knife. Cracks and breaks are difficult to repair, so it is better to immediately replace the suction cup. The structure of the suction cup must also be correct and even.

Another circumstance that prevents the suction cup from sticking tightly is a rough or embossed surface. If the tiles are made with patterns or non-uniform texture, then the fastening element will not be held. Also, glue particles, various seam putties and the joints themselves are not able to hold the suction cup.

Fixation methods

Various fixing methods can help solve many installation problems. All devices will do their job efficiently and will hold the suction cup if all the above and below conditions are met.

The most common methods of strong fastening are:

• use of a degreaser;
• use of products containing petroleum jelly;
• lining made of self-adhesive PVC film;
• silicone sealant.

Whatever option you use, you must initially prepare the surface for high-quality gluing. The action is to treat the area with any degreaser, it can be nail polish remover, acetone, a special degreaser, solvent, white spirit and the like. If you don’t even have a single alcohol-containing product on hand, you can wash the surface with ordinary laundry soap, then rinse thoroughly and wipe the desired area dry.

1. The method with cleaning liquids is suitable for items that are light in weight and size. The main thing in this process is to thoroughly clean and then degrease the tiles or tiles. The surface should be cleaned of any contaminants such as rust, soap smudges, limescale, dust and other dirt. After thorough cleaning, you can degrease your surface, and at the same time the suction cup. After these procedures, you need to firmly press the suction element onto the tile. Usually this works and the suction cup stays on the desired area. If it is necessary to move the decorative stand, the surface near the suction cup should be moistened. The suction cup will slide perfectly along a wet wall to a more convenient place for you and you won’t even have to peel it off.
2. The Vaseline method improves the adhesion of Velcro to a smooth surface. This option is even suitable for use in an aquarium with water, where there is also a need to secure an object. In addition, Vaseline is absolutely harmless to fish.
3. A lining made of self-adhesive PVC film is suitable for medium-heavy interior items. Decorative elements are often attached to the bathroom not only for washcloths or toothbrushes, but also to hold towels, hair dryers and other heavier appliances. Self-adhesive is often included with modern accessories, and if one is not found, it can be purchased at an office supply or hardware store. You need to take the size you need or with a reserve, cut out circles from the film of the appropriate size and glue them to the tiles. After this, you need to remove the protective film and attach the part using suction cups along the contours of the self-adhesive.
4. An effective and best method for holding heavy loads is silicone caulk. It provides strong adhesion between two surfaces and is indispensable in case of uneven tile structure. For better and more accurate gluing, transparent silicone should be used. Before applying the sealant, the tile and the inside of the suction cup should also be cleaned and treated with a degreaser or alcohol cleaner. After this, a generous amount of silicone must be applied to the concave side of the Velcro and pressed very tightly to the selected surface. Don't worry if excess sealing paste escapes outside the suction cup. Traces of such glue can be immediately wiped off with a cloth. Or after the sealant has completely dried, it can be easily and simply removed using a stationery knife. For high-quality gluing and drying of the silicone, you must wait a day before you start using the hanger, shelf or hook. Once the sealant dries, it can withstand bulky robes, towels, or even heavy appliances. Subsequently, you don’t have to worry that the suction cup will fall off and fall along with all the bath accessories. If necessary, the mount can be quickly dismantled using a regular knife.

The ultra-modern vacuum suction cup is now in great demand. Due to very tight contact with the surface, a certain vacuum is created, which does not allow the Velcro to simply come off. But these suction cups, no matter how popular they are, are able to withstand moderate loads. For heavier items you will also have to use the above options.

Installation from the street

Installation of elements with suction cups on the street side also requires certain fastening technologies. Weather conditions, temperature and humidity play an important role in this matter. Basically, thermometers are attached to the outside of the window to monitor temperature indicators. Also, the density and quality of fastening depends on the type of thermometer: the more expensive it is, the better the suction cups or adhesive base will be.

In order to properly glue the thermometer on the suction cups so that it does not fall off, you should select models that fit your window. For example, there are many modern electronic devices for plastic windows, which, if they fall, will cause a lot of frustration due to the loss of such an expensive accessory.

The thermometer you purchased with suction cups or Velcro will not take much time to install. But how long will it hang around before it decides to come unstuck? The methods below will help you place the thermometer firmly to prevent further chances of falling. Also, when installing a thermometer, it is very important to adhere to certain rules so that it shows the correct data.

1. The location for attaching the thermometer should be chosen so that it is at an equal distance from sources of heat and cold. The heat can come from both the sun's rays and the opening part of the glass unit. A favorable place for the device is the north side.
2. In order for the gluing to be as tight as possible, the device should be installed in warm, dry and not windy weather.
3. As in previous cases, the glass should be thoroughly washed and then treated with a degreaser.
4. For good vacuum suction cups, a firm hand press is enough to ensure that they are “tightly” attached to the surface.
5. If you are afraid that even with high-quality suction cups the thermometer may come off and fall, use PVC film as an additional connection or regular double-sided tape.
6. You can also use a colorless sealant, but in this case it would be better to fix the thermometer on plastic rather than on glass.
7. Since double-glazed windows come into contact with dust and water on the outside, many people decide to use “superglue.” When using this liquid, you should monitor the volume of glue poured. For good gluing of this substance you need very little. It is also recommended to use this option on a plastic frame.

When choosing an outdoor thermometer, it is better to give preference to simple and reliable models rather than “souvenir” products. Such instances often fail in the indicator and are generally unreliable. Of course, if there is a storm outside with hurricane-force winds, then the thermometer may only be held in place by metal fasteners in the form of self-tapping screws. But in all other weather conditions, suction cups with additional fixation will easily cope with the task.

Attach to windshield

You can attach a video recorder, navigator, telephone, radar detector or other gadgets necessary for the driver to the windshield using suction cups. Attachments for gadgets are usually glued to several small ones or to one large and massive suction cup. But, as practice has shown, any suction cups, even with levers to enhance the vacuum, tend to fall and cause great inconvenience to the person driving, and even while moving.

There are only two types of such suction cups: rubber and silicone, and it is very difficult to judge which is better, because it all depends on the manufacturer and the quality of the product. We discussed the reasons why a suction cup may come off at the very beginning of the article; these sources of falling are the same for both home conditions and a car. Now we will analyze in detail the methods of reliable fastening.

1. Wetting. But many people wet the concave part of the suction cup with water, alcohol, or even saliva, which is not entirely correct. Moisturizing for greater grip is, of course, good, but in cold weather such liquid will freeze, and in hot weather it will simply evaporate. Therefore, you need a consistency that will not harden, freeze or evaporate. Motor oil is ideal for this purpose. Literally a drop of this oil needs to be applied to your finger, and then rubbed over the rubber of the suction cup and glued to the car window.
2. Additional lining. This technique is suitable for massive suction cups with a lever. Often this lever makes a thorough rotation before it begins to create a vacuum, and only begins to work at the end of the clamp. It turns out that the main part is working in vain. It is this moment that should be reduced and additional lining made. For laying, a regular car inner tube is suitable, in which you need to cut a circle with a radius equal to the suction cup. Then, in the resulting rubber mug, you should cut out the middle so that there remains, as it were, one rim, which will need to be inserted between the suction cup and the plastic recorder holder itself. For a more detailed and visual study, you can see the corresponding photo with an arrow pointing to the gasket. It would also be a good idea to lubricate this design with oil. When you start gluing the improved suction cup, you will immediately feel how much the pressure inside has increased.
3. For car windows with silk-screen printing, airbrushing or other “pimples”, many motorists come up with a lot of fun ways to hang the necessary devices. For example, some use an option with an anti-slip mat, which is attached to the spray coating with car painter's double-sided tape. And a gadget with a suction cup is already glued to the mat. The method with glass mugs or simple smooth glass from an old flashlight is also widely used. Again, this structure also needs to be glued. Gel-based “superglue” is in demand, with the help of which a piece of glass is attached to the embossed part of the windshield.

Self-adhesive or silicone - for the most hopeless cases or in winter. This is the very case when your devices refuse to “cooperate” with the options described above. In all methods, of course, it is necessary to follow the basic rules of application and application, which include good temperature conditions and a grease-free surface.

Taking our advice into account, you can quickly and easily attach an incredibly beautiful and stylish soap dish, outdoor thermometer or other convenient decorative elements with your own hands. And by applying some examples in practice, you will stop waiting for the moment when this suction cup shelf will fall!

Lying on the floor, seat or dashboard? Have there ever been situations when the suction cup for the DVR fell off right on the road, on the next bump? If yes, then we will tell you how to avoid such surprises.

Why doesn't the suction cup hold?

The most common reason is cold. In winter, the windshield freezes, the rubber suction cup loses its elasticity and falls off. In such cases, drivers usually warm up the car, place the suction cup under the airflow and attach it back. This method, despite its prevalence, rarely leads to long-term results.

But sometimes the suction cup doesn't hold up well in the heat. If in the summer the car is often left in direct sunlight, this leads to numerous sad consequences, one of which is deformation of the holder mounts.

And sometimes the suction cup holder cannot be installed from the very beginning; it simply does not stick to the glass. There are two main reasons: either the glass is dirty or there is a layer of dust on the suction cup, or you got a defective holder.

What should I do to make the suction cups stick?

Act according to the situation.

There are several working methods, tested by many drivers, to restore the elasticity of a frozen suction cup.

1. Warm up the car. Wipe the windshield with alcohol and wipe dry. Warm the suction cup, clean it of dirt and apply it to the glass. To be on the safe side (and if you have the means at hand), before putting the holder back in place, treat the suction cup with clear plumber's sealant or silicone grease.
2. Budget popular option. Boil the mount in a soda solution for about 20 minutes. To make a solution of suitable consistency, take a teaspoon of baking soda per glass of water.
3. A completely budget and desperate option for the most extreme case. The suction cup can be attached to glass or a dashboard using double-sided tape. This option is suitable only if you have nothing at hand except adhesive tape, and you need to secure the holder.

Most often, the suction cup can be easily returned to its place by simply warming it up and degreasing the area on the glass. But if the mount is deformed or continues to fall off despite all your efforts, don’t worry and just buy a new suction cup holder. An excellent choice would be

Nowadays, a large number of gadgets, be it a DVR, a radar detector, or just a phone mount, are attached to suction cups (usually two or three small ones) or to one, but massive one (which has a lever on the body for greater effect). However, not very high-quality suction cups can fall off the windshield! Everything seems to be secured well, but you hang up your device, and in cold, hot weather or on bumps - “BANG” and it falls off! And if a gadget costs several thousand rubles, you can break it! In general, it’s really unpleasant or even dangerous, but what to do, how to deal with it? Today there are several really working methods that will help almost “tightly” glue such a mount to the windshield, there will be a video at the end...

Suction cups are not the only mount on the windshield; there are many different ones, ranging from simple "3M" tape, ending with magnetic fastenings. However, they are inconvenient to install, and some are also difficult to remove, say, to transfer to another car. The suction cups really win here, “stick it, unstick it” - drag it where you need it. BUT if the suction cup is of poor quality, it falls off the windshield, even if the car is standing still.

As I already wrote, there are usually two or three of them in the mount to better hold the gadget.

And there are single, but massive ones. They are made mainly from two materials - rubber and silicone. Rubber suction cups are dark (often black) in color, but silicone ones are often transparent.

There is a lot of debate about which of them is better. However, in my experience, the regular rubber options held up better. Silicone hardens much more in cold weather, which makes the suction cup less elastic.

Although to be fair, it’s really difficult to choose between these two options! Because there is high-quality silicone, and there is low-quality rubber.

How does the suction cup work?

Actually, there is nothing magical here, remember the school physics course. If we describe the essence of the phenomenon in a few words, it turns out that almost zero pressure is created under the suction cup, since we pressed the surface to the windshield and pulled it towards ourselves. But we have atmospheric pressure, which always puts pressure on us and on the objects around us, and since it is quite high, it presses on the surface of the suction cup on the other side, pressing it to the surface (it seems to try to fill the internal vacuum under the suction cup).

Thus, if the suction cup is working properly, it will stick very firmly to the windshield. But why does it fall off?

Why does the suction cup fall off?

There are only a few reasons:

• Poor quality production. If it is made poorly, there are distortions or bends, then it will not hold. After all, precision manufacturing is important here.
• Insufficient pressure. Conventional options (without levers) cannot create sufficient pressure inside, they will not withstand heavy weights. That's why more of them are needed, two or three pieces
• Breakthrough. If the rubber or silicone surface breaks, then the vacuum that was created inside will immediately be filled with “atmospheric pressure”, the gadget will not hold on
• Dirty surface. Before gluing it to the windshield, you should wipe it, it is advisable to degrease it; if there is any deposit on the surface, it will help the passage of air inside, after a certain time it will fall off again
• Imperfect surfaces. Both the windshield and the suction cup itself. They have microcracks and other imperfections. It is through them that, slowly but surely, air will leak inside. Over time it will fall off again

What you need to learn is a simple truth, so that air pressure does not pass inside, and there is a vacuum inside as long as possible.

There are only two tasks:

• Clear the atmosphere inside as much as possible.
• Don't let that negative pressure escape

This is why the side edges of the suction cup are made so wide! And they try to make the material as elastic as possible so that it adheres well to the glass.

Often normal fastenings fall off due to the fact that the suction cup is not sealed. And to make it as good as possible, you just need to wet the surface. Any liquid seems to clog the “microcracks” and prevent air pressure from leaking out. And yes, water is not exactly the best option.

Many people wet the surface with water (or even saliva) , this is of course correct, but in winter it can freeze, but in summer it simply evaporates. Therefore, you need a composition that will not evaporate, freeze or harden. Motor oil is ideal, you need a little on your finger, wipe the surface of the suction cup and attach it to the windshield. WILL HOLD ON for a very long time!

The second “jamb” of modern gadgets - this is a “lever” in the mount that creates a lot of pressure. Often it makes almost a full turn (180 degrees), but it starts working only at the very pressure, only 25 - 35 degrees, that is, the remaining angle works idle. We need to reduce this idle speed, which is done - a circle is cut out of a regular car camera, along the rim of the suction cup (like a gasket), then all the insides are cut out inside and it is inserted between the suction cup and the body.

Once you start pressing the suction cup with the lever, this “spacer” will reduce the idle speed and increase the pressure inside. IT WILL HOLD SEVERAL TIMES BETTER, tested many times.

Here's a short summary:

• Checking the rubber or silicone surface for damage
• Degreasing glass
• Lubricate the surface of the suction cup (motor oils are ideal because they do not freeze in winter and do not evaporate in summer)
• You can make a spacer (ideally from a wheel tire) between the plastic and rubber (silicone) components, thus increasing the pressure

Now we are watching a short video version.

The suction cup is falling off the windshield! How to attach FIRMLY. Video