Mirror Restoration

Post by **500bernie** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:44 am

Hi Guys,

I got lucky and picked up a pair of red mirrors off flebay, they looked a lot worse they they actually were, due to umpteen layers of paint, wax and crud.

I started loosening off all the old wax and paint using thiners and my trusty thumb nail (didn't want to damage the plastic underneath), this went quite well..

The one on the right is a NOS one.

I have been gently rubbing the plastic with fine wire wool soaked in solvent (UPVC window frame cleaner from screwfix).
Still not completely satisfied with the finish, which should be slightly rough and matt, but working on it.....anybody got any ideas?

Cheers,
Bernie

SP_BOTT · Post by **SP_BOTT** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:37 am

Would like to see you succeed with this, as most mirrors are in a bad way, (at least on most of my bikes) I have heard a heat gun will restore the colour back to normal, (be careful obvously) seen a vid on youtube doing an old manky car bumper, and that looked ok, (also suggested on a polishing/car forum) are you going to spray them eventually.

Got myself a white set, or two, to do as well.

Luders · Post by **Luders** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:43 am

SP_BOTT wrote:are you going to spray them eventually.

I think not

Post by **500bernie** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:12 am

Ben is right .........no paint

I want to get the plastic back to the condition the came out of the factory, luckily I have a new one to compare it to $\:D/$

At the moment it is not far off...but not quite right

Luders · Post by **Luders** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:50 pm

looks like you're doing a good job with that Bernie.

Post by **500bernie** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:14 pm

Hi Ben,
Working blind as usual, not sure it I am going to fix it or destroy it, but what the hell at least anyone else won't have to make the same mistakes as me

Post by **500bernie** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 2:33 pm

Hi Ben,
Just sent you a PM
Cheers,
Bernie

zx12arrgh · Post by **zx12arrgh** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:56 pm

Looks like your doing a brilliant job there mate, you could have not been so selfish though and done a white one, there a mare!

Post by **500bernie** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:39 pm

I have a white pair and a black pair awaiting the same attention

Plenty of jobs to do but not enough time

I think the white will be easier than the red as they had an odd mat textured finish that was a bugger to replicate.

Solvent upvc cleaner wire wool and patience.
Cheers
Bernie

fred · Post by **fred** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:58 pm

ive accidentally achieved a matt surface on plastic when ive been shotblasting rusty parts that are fixed in the plastic (which i aint been worried about ) with old media thats more like smokers tooth paist you can achieve a even finnish ,just like etching glass

Post by **500bernie** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:45 am

It looks like I now have a spare (used) pair $\:D/$

Binetta Steve · Post by **Binetta Steve** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 5:45 pm

Bernie , if it gets to the stage where you want to move your old red mirrors on could you drop me a PM as mine has black mirrors on at present

Best regards

Steve

Post by **500bernie** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 5:50 pm

Hi Steve,

Will do.

Cheers,
Bernie

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Mirror Restoration

Mirror Restoration

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