beautiful side mirrors

M

mlebarron

New member
It seems as though the glass in my side mirrors is... I don't know... softer? more prone to scratches? probably because it's a mirror?



anyway... I have tons of scratches on them... I figure from them getting washed with something too abrasive the last 5 years... although they're very consistent, all in pretty much the same direction.



How can I get rid of these? I tried 0000 steel wool in a small spot to see if it would help... it didn't... I've tried the PC with some polishes... didn't work...



any suggestions? anyone else with the problem?
 
I tried PI-III MG... does that count? or is there something else I should try?



I haven't tried any sealant or anything... maybe that would hide them?



BTW... Patrick... still want to do your site? I've been busy outside of work so I haven't had a chance to get to it ... let me know
 
Be careful when working on the exterior mirrors. The reason they may seem "softer" is because a lot of manufacturers use a plastic base. Then they are coated with the reflective material.

You could try taking the mirror part out of the housing to determine what it's made of. Most aren't too hard to remove (some actually just snap out). Check a Haynes manual or Factory Service Manual. Maybe try to find a replacement at a junkyard.

If it is plastic, I'd only use a mild to medium plastic polish, gently at first. If it's not doing any damage, I'd increase pressure until results are seen, or damage starts to occur.



Dave
 
Yes thats exactly what I was thinking, they may be plastic. The mirror glass on my Lexus is just that, glass, and no marring at all, but on the Explorer its plastic, and the mirror on the Explorer always has surface marring on it.
 
I just purchased a new 2003 Honda Pilot, and a couple of days after getting it home, I noticed as the sun hits the side mirrors a certain way, a set of scratches, same direction, no doubt - the dealer when cleaning the car had something abrasive on the towel. Bummer. I pay $33,000 bucks for a car (or anything) I want it perfect.



So, throw me into the mix as one seeking advice to get these scratches out without doing more damage to the mirror. I do not have a clue if the mirror is glass or plastic as some have pointed out earlier.



John
 
Replacements are fairly inexpensive folks, it would be worth just replacing them as opposed to getting the dealer to do something for you.....I had a ball hit mine, shattered it completely, i was back in business for under $20.00.....
 
Patrick,

How tough are they to replace? I know each car is probably different, so maybe no one can say for sure. I have a Honda 2003 Pilot, but just the owners manual.



Thanks,



John
 
MTN, im not sure, I cant find any aftermarket mirrors, may just be a dealer item........
 
Mtnsummit said:
I just purchased a new 2003 Honda Pilot, and a couple of days after getting it home, I noticed as the sun hits the side mirrors a certain way, a set of scratches, same direction, no doubt - the dealer when cleaning the car had something abrasive on the towel. Bummer. I pay $33,000 bucks for a car (or anything) I want it perfect.

John
Click to expand...



If it's that new and you are sure it came that way from the dealer, perhaps they'd fix (or replace) for you? Certainly worth a try - worst they can say is 'no'.



Jason
 
I just replaced the glass in the side mirrors on a car I bought but unfortunately it was from a private party so there's no chance for a dealer paying for the work. I think it cost me around $60 for the two mirrors to be replaced at a glass place. They have catelogs of all the car mirrors and can order the standard glass replacements.
 
Goof tip Zenhog. Unfortunately Factory I have had the car for a month and a week now, so I would assume the dealer would argue that I did it. I should have addressed the issue a few days after I got the car when I noticed it. You only notice it when the sunshine hits the mirror in a certain way, otherwise unnoticeable. Perhaps a lesson - don't let anyone touch your car for clean up! You know, dealers will normally wash the car after a service, and I am wondering if that is such a good idea. I think perhaps not, unless they have a touchless system, but then again, they probably dry the car by hand or a portion of it, using who knows what type of towels, etc..
 
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