We've smashed the driver's side mirror surface on our 2000 Protege ES. I couldn't find a non-mazda mirror surface, so I paid ~$20 for the real thing at my local dealership.

I assumed that it would simply "snap in" to the mirror holder, but it appears that there is a very thin "lip" that encloses the entire rim of the mirror. After consulting the Haynes 2000 Protege book, it would appear that I need to apply heat to the frame to soften it.

Is this something I can do with a simple hair dryer, or do I have to go out and buy a heat gun?

 

I would assume that a hair dryer would be fine. Be careful not to melt anything you don't want to though.