Painting mirrors; what's the best way?

[Mad German]

Hi guys,

I have a set of pristine silver mirrors from a 2010 that I want to paint black for my 2008. What's the best prep and rattlecan technique? My plan was to clean them really well with rubbing alcohol, sand them with 220 to scuff them a bit, and then spray multiple fine/light coats. I was going to use a spray paint made for plastics from Krylon or Rustoleum. I know the glossy black might not be an exact match, but it'll be pretty close.

Does my plan sound like a good one? If not, what do I need to do differently?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 

[user 8909]

I'd use 400 grit and wipe with alcohol but your plan sounds fine. Clean'em super good.@

 

[user 8909]

Damndoublepost

 

[user 8909]

Damndoublepost

 

[user 8909]

Damntriplepost

 

[PhilJet09]

I used duplicolor primer, color and clear coat on my side case recently with decent results.

 

[gixxerjasen]

I'd order black ones and sell those. I know someone back in September that would have bought them.

Those would be a bunch of work to get right. Getting cleanly around the lip on the front will be tough too. I haven't figured out how to take them apart but I presume it's possible.

 

[Niehart]

My best results with painting have been sending the parts to Garauld.

 

[Mad German]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="gixxerjasen" data-cid="1302729" data-time="1460561746"><p>

I'd order black ones and sell those. I know someone back in September that would have bought them. <img src='https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_emoticon' /><br />

<br />

Those would be a bunch of work to get right. Getting cleanly around the lip on the front will be tough too. I haven't figured out how to take them apart but I presume it's possible.</p></blockquote>

I got a great deal in them, so I'll hold onto them. I'll give it a go and see how it turns out. I'll post up some pics (if I can ever figure out how to on this forum) when I'm done.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Deleted..

 

[SacramentoMike]

Use waterproof sandpaper and wet sand them. It's as simple as it sounds--just keep the paper wet with a bucket of water. 400 grit or so, I'd suggest. Won't take long. It might not be perfect, but it will work fine.

Make sure you don't paint the glass side though.

 

[gixxerjasen]

With tips like Mike is giving, you can't possibly go wrong.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Throw them away and procure a set of FZ1 mirrors, then you will have black mirrors you can actually see behind you with.

 

[Road_Runner]

My personal thinking is that they will look like $%!# if you don't get the color matched properly... 2X this because the color is black.

You could sell those and get some FZ1 mirrors.

 

[Mad German]

I also have a set of FZ1 mirrors to experiment with as well. Personally, I have nothing against the mirrors that came stock on my 2008. One of them has a small crack on the mirror stalk from the previous owner, however. I also have some FZ1 mirrors to mess with as well.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

 

[ionbeam]

Ride with the FZ1 mirrors for a while before you go through the effort to paint the mirrors the '08 color. If you do ride with the FZ1 mirrors and take them off to put on your newly painted mirrors I'll betcha a beverage of your choice that you will put the FZ1s back on

 

[FJReady]

If you do keep the FJR mirrors and care about how the paint looks, send them to Garauld. First class guy.

 

[HelzBelz]

I vote for Garauld's painting or seeing if someone needs your color, and make them buy black ones for you and swap em.

 

[samamoto]

Wipe clean and plasti dip. Fast and easy. If something goes wrong you just peel the dip off. If you want the gloss there are proper products too.