dismantling side mirrors

[Goose!!!]

hey all, im re spraying my Vs, and i have just taken my side mirrors off, but am now wondering what is the safe and propper way to dismantle them as i want to get the mirror out of the cover.. I figure disconnecting the springs inside would be a start, but any help before i go tearing them appart and breaking something would be much appreciated... cheers!

Goose!

[-=$natch=-]

You don't really need to take out the glass, just mask it up. Any good painter should be able to get paint everywhere that it needs to be without removing it. Maybe check in the "how to's" folder as it may have a thread on mirrors in there.

[DannyboyDS]

the glass is easy to remove, it basically pops off of the two mounts its sitting on.

You really should dismantle the whole assembly in my opinion, just have glue on hand to glue the internal plate back down to cover the spring once you are done.

[Bobski]

Yeah either that or a bit of masking tape. Probably a better option to take it out though

[Goose!!!]

cheers, I agree, you should dismantle the whole assembly.. U could get away with just masking the glass with a solid colour, but im spraying a metallic pearl, and the less things in your way the better...

[Goose!!!]

Ok, so i can't get the mirror cover section off the part that connects to the door.... Starting to frustrate me.

[Goose!!!]

Ok, i give up, i will just air brush them. have to buy a new left mirror anyway.. anyone know an approx cost from a wrecker?

[DannyboyDS]

remember what I said about the internal plate and the spring, you will need to unlic the spring and then you can get the two halves seperated, but to reconnect it all the plate on the inside needs to come out too.

[Goose!!!]

remember what I said about the internal plate and the spring, you will need to unlic the spring and then you can get the two halves seperated, but to reconnect it all the plate on the inside needs to come out too.

Yeah, springs are 2 strong tho, i can't un clip them without breaking something.

[DannyboyDS]

from memory I think we grabbed the end of the spring with pliers, lifted and then flicked.

oh actually I think we grabbed them from in between the two halves of the mirror, lifted the end off of its position then let it slip back through.

either method might work :P goodluck.

[-=$natch=-]

cheers, I agree, you should dismantle the whole assembly.. U could get away with just masking the glass with a solid colour, but im spraying a metallic pearl, and the less things in your way the better...

I've sprayed dozens of them in various colours and am yet to "not" get paint over 99% of it. Prep it, mask it up, bolt to a stand and when you spray it you just move the actual mirror part around and flick paint where it's needed. Saves breaking stuff for no reason....that's just my opinion.

[DannyboyDS]

I've sprayed dozens of them in various colours and am yet to "not" get paint over 99% of it. Prep it, mask it up, bolt to a stand and when you spray it you just move the actual mirror part around and flick paint where it's needed. Saves breaking stuff for no reason....that's just my opinion.

makes sense but what about the black strip in between the two "halves" its not exactly maskable, its more like a seal, do you just paint over it? if so then what happens the first time the mirror flexes on the spring?

not saying I know mroe then you, I just want to understand, if I can do it next time without pulling it appart it would save a fair amount of effort.

[-=$natch=-]

Umm...I can't remember what I used to do with them...I think from memory that we used to just mask them with fine line tape which did the job (never had any issues with paint cracking/peeling..etc but I guess this method is alright from a business perspective but if they're off your own car you're probably gonna want them stripped down to do a perfect job... Also I just had a look at my VR and it's mirrors don't even have rubbers...not sure why it doesn't have any??