Door Mirror Refurbishment - DIY

[Hugo_za]

Ok so the previous owner of my 7er's wife completely trashed the driver side door mirror the day I took delivery of the car.

The inner magnesium frame was broken and as such there was no reliable way to affix the mirror to the base. The cost of a new one with all the parts would be over R10k and the breakers don't have any either. I tried q-bond at first, which worked, but it was just too easy to knock the mirror off again. I took the whole thing off, and started looking for a way to permanently affix the mirror to the frame. This was my solution.

I cut a slit through the metal base and used a metal clamp, looped through the mirror frame and base and tightened it. Solid as a rock now.

I then sanded down all the parts going to progressively finer grits. The mirror cap was badly damaged and cracked so I used epoxy putty to fill it and sand it down. It was my first time working with a filler and the results are awesome. Sprayed it all flat black and fitted back to the car.

And lastly a before and after photo.

Took a couple hours of my time and around R200 for all the materials.

 

[Ratslaaf]

Excellent man! Now you just have to spray the other mirror as well :rollsmile:

 

[Hugo_za]

Yup, thats next weekends project. Will see how the refurbished mirror holds up with a week of daily use.

I am also thinking of spraying the chrome around the windows with the same flag black. What do y'all think?

 

[Ratslaaf]

Hey I dunno about Matt black hey. I'd rather go for a gloss, but that's my personal opinion

 

[Hugo_za]

My first round I did actually go for gloss black but it looked awfully cheap.

 

[ChefDJ]

Yup, thats next weekends project. Will see how the refurbished mirror holds up with a week of daily use.

I am also thinking of spraying the chrome around the windows with the same flag black. What do y'all think?

It's a 7. Keep the chrome.

Well done on the DIY :clapper:

 

[Pho3niX90]

I vote to kill the chrome. Too old school

 

[Hugo_za]

BMW did offer the E65 with the shadow line trim after all...

 

[ChefDJ]

BMW did offer the E65 with the shadow line trim after all...

I would try gloss black instead of matt, though :fencelook:


I must say, Hugo, that you have the balls to attempt stuff on your 7 that most wouldn't even try on a less stately model. Like fixing this mirror like that.

Mucho respect :thumbs:

 

[Hugo_za]

BMW did offer the E65 with the shadow line trim after all...

I would try gloss black instead of matt, though :fencelook:


I must say, Hugo, that you have the balls to attempt stuff on your 7 that most wouldn't even try on a less stately model. Like fixing this mirror like that.

Mucho respect :thumbs:

Thanks Chef! I'm adventurous like that. Being a little technically minded doesn't hurt either. But most of all I love being able to do things like this myself and in the process helping others. Sure I could go and buy a new mirror but the cost is absurd, especially when such a cheap fix is possible.

 

[ChefDJ]

So now how's about you build me a 7 from scratch for mahala? :rollsmile:

 

[Hugo_za]

So now how's about you build me a 7 from scratch for mahala? :rollsmile:

Sure thing. Bring me the parts and I'm confident I can assemble it for you...mahala

 

[ChefDJ]

:roflol:

 

[Hugo_za]

Just an update after a week with the refurbished mirror installed.

Nothing to report. The end.

Lol, anyway. With all the rain and what not I was very happy to see that the paint job is holding up perfectly. No rain sports or anything. If I look at both mirrors while driving the refurbished one looks totally OEM. The color is even the same as the black frame around the passenger side one. I will sand done the passenger side mirror and paint it this weekend to maintain balance ;-)

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

great work man :clapper:

 

[Nastaliq]

Just check what paint you are using, as the rattle can type isnt UV stabilised and will start to fade over time.

If you take both off, sand and prep, I am sure a panel shop will be happy to undercoat and top coat for you with proper automotive paint, which will provide more longevity for sure.

 

[Hugo_za]

Just check what paint you are using, as the rattle can type isnt UV stabilised and will start to fade over time.

If you take both off, sand and prep, I am sure a panel shop will be happy to undercoat and top coat for you with proper automotive paint, which will provide more longevity for sure.

I used Rustoleum flat black paint and primer. UV resistant and highly rated for outdoor application. Push comes to shove I can replace the mirror frames and caps on their own now that the base has been repaired.

I am not expecting it to last forever, though I have read on several forums that the product lasts well over 5 years.

 

[Nastaliq]

Just check what paint you are using, as the rattle can type isnt UV stabilised and will start to fade over time.

If you take both off, sand and prep, I am sure a panel shop will be happy to undercoat and top coat for you with proper automotive paint, which will provide more longevity for sure.

I used Rustoleum flat black paint and primer. UV resistant and highly rated for outdoor application. Push comes to shove I can replace the mirror frames and caps on their own now that the base has been repaired.

I am not expecting it to last forever, though I have read on several forums that the product lasts well over 5 years.

5 years is very decent ROI time, for R200.
Good job.