Sideview mirror & painting

[Bennito]

Hi Avi-lovers,

Some drunk dumb-***ss genius swiped the whole side of my 02 xls. -OUCH-
Before the insurance handles everything, I need a new side-view mirror. I'd like to replace it myself. A couple questions:

1. Which mirror do you recommend? I need the heated one, preferrably electric-memory.

1. Aftermarket mirrors come only in black primer?
2. If so, whats your best idea for painting it myself?
3. Does this involve primer and clear coat?
4. Which paint is BEST?
5. Would it be best to just have a body shop paint the mirror? I would like to do it, but if the result is horrible, then no.

As I have done some read-up on the painting this is what I think the process is. Any suggestions?
1. Take off mirror housing.
2. Lightly sand (wetsand?) plastic.
3. Spray 2 coats of primer lightly.
4. Sand (wetsand?) primer lightly.
5. Spray 2-3 (?) coats paint (lunar mist metallic).
6. Spray 2-3 (?) coats of clear.
7. Wax on-wax off and repeat, repeat, repeat...!

THANKS!

[OHC]

I replaced the DS mirror on my Avalon earlier this year, (damage was my fault). I got an aftermarket mirror from Rockauto.com at a bargain price, but was disappointed with the quality and then ordered an OEM mirror from Toyota of Puyallup. Every aftermarket mirror I shopped was unpainted gloss black.

Some things I learned: you can order prepainted OEM mirrors from a number of Toyota dealers who sell online. The prices will be less than you'll likely pay locally, but they're still kind of expensive. Of course, they have the high quality factory finish.
If your car has a heated mirror with memory, that's what you need to order to replace it. I figured I didn't need the memory feature and ordered an OEM mirror without it, only to find out the harness connectors were different and it couldn't be used. I returned that one and stuck with the aftermarket mirror due to the cost.
I ordered custom mixed OEM spraypaint from automotivetouchup.com. It was high quality stuff, but I found that doing a good job painting was more difficult than I thought. They even sell genuine clearcoat in an aerosol can. They aren't kidding when they say use a mask while applying it, that stuff is potent.

I basically did a poor job of painting the new aftermarket mirror, but as long as the paint doesn't peel off, I'm happy. The main annoyance with the aftermarket mirror is that the glass tends to vibrate and bounce, which never happened with the original mirror. I just got used to it after a while.

[fltwd56]

I've given instructions to someone else about this very topic so to save time I've copied/pasted it here for you without any changes from the original post..it was for a Solara so there are parts like masking off the black trim that you wouldn't have to do. For an Avalon all you'd do is mask the mirror portion, but there is a position you must push the mirror in..in order to be able to paint around it so the interior doesn't look black...anyways this was a sub-$100 repair for me and it's still looking great today, over 2 years later now! The only thing I forgot to add is between laying the color on and the clear you need to mist a coat of the color over the part to "set the metallic flake" Just a very quick dusting over the entire mirror then let it flash. Anyways...maybe this will help you repair it and not break the bank. I think the correct mirror on rockauto lists for just under 60.00.

Hey all! I know none of you know me, but I post on TN and I check here and read posts and what not. Anyways, I recently ran into this with my 2000 Avalon XLS when my wife decapitated the drivers mirror of my Avalon on a chain-link fence end post(luckily that was all she hit). I know it's not a Solara, but my experience could help you. I got on RockAuto and bought the correct aftermarket replacement for my car. Looks entirely identical to what it replaced. Look it up by application and it's listed under Body-Exterior Outside Door Mirror. The factory Lunar Mist is three stage, but the cans that you get by Dupli-Color at Advance that are their version of Lunar Mist come so close you'd barely notice. I'd bet most people couldn't tell a difference if they looked....if they stared for quite a while then maybe. Anyways....get yourself 1 can of that(store clerk can look it up for you since I don't have the can with me or I'd give you the PN. Also get a can of adhesion promoter for plastics, and a can of the automotive clear coat by Dupli-Color or go to an automotive paint supply shop and buy real clear with the appropriate hardener in the bottom of the can that you have to activate(it will look identical this way, but the Dupli-Color gets it real close especially if you lay it down good. Make sure to sand back the slick black finish on the mirror just to rough it up... don't use anything too abrasive on plastic as it will gouge(I used 2000 grit and make several light passes). Then clean it up with alcohol. Mask the portion that bolts to the car(black part) before sanding to avoid accidentally marking it with sandpaper. Mask up and then position the mirror portion so that you can paint all applicable area's that can be seen when normally looking at the mirror(looking at it you'll figure out where to position it in order to paint it without removing the mirror portion. Once that's done give it two or three coats of adhesion promoter and let that flash according to the directions on the can nothing too heavy or it will run. Then give it 4 coats of color getting progressively wetter each coat until the final is a wet coat, but not wet enough to run and let it flash according to the can(should use about half of the can on this), then on with the clear..I would do about 4 coats of clear just follow the instructions on the can for flash times. Don't breathe the fumes(wear a cheap mask), and paint in a well ventilated area preferably in a garage or somewhere that's not directly outside(keeps down on bug contamination), and cover anything that you don't want metal flake over-spray on because it will fly everywhere in the immediate area. Long post I know, but doing this myself I spent about $70.00 and the mirror looks so good that nobody would give it a second glance. Did it myself in about 3.5 hours or so and let it cure for a week before putting it on the car. If you lay down the clear right you won't have to wet sand the finish it will come out perfect. Also little tip(put all the paint cans in a pan of hot water and let them soak in the water until just prior to spraying. The paint goes on so smooth being warm(remember to wipe off the can before spraying anything from it though). This mirror has weathered the 1.5 years since the incident and it still looks as good today as it did the day I installed it. Here are a few pics, but it matches pretty well to the 12 year old factory paint.






Sorry for the long post, but I hope it will help you(or someone else) that may come across it and want to DIY this and save $$$

Jeff

[Bennito]

OHC:
Your reply is very helpful! I have looked around for the original OEM mirror, and you're right, it's pretty expensive. I love my car, but not that much to shelve out for just a mirror Good thought too about ordering the heated memory mirror, as oppossed to non-heated w/o memory. I would have been pretty dissappointed if the connector didnt fit!
The vibrating glass will be annoying to me -another good tip- so I'll have to make sure to order a fairly decent aftermarket one. Any thoughts on that?

fltwd56:

Awesome right-up! This is exactly why I decided to post here, as most other threads I read didnt quite match my precise situation. Unless I just didnt look long enough. Seems like you did a really good job! It looks good and I'm happy its been lasting so long, for ya.
I hadn't heard of rockauto before, but I absolutely love it. I ordered this part, TO1320209, which shipped just under $60. Looks great!
For the paint, I am looking at Advance and all I see under LUNAR MIST is the Duplicolor Scratchfix 2in1...? I dont think thats what I need. I dont have an Advance near me, so I have to order it online. If you could maybe be more specific as to which one to get (PN etc..), that would be awesome!
Maybe also more detail on the other paints, as this is what I'm most concerned about...matching it right. I take it, though, that the primer adhesive and clear are fairly standard.

Thanks again guys! Cant wait to stand back and admire my work!

[Bennito]

UPDATE:
I ended getting this paint...

1. Dupli-Color CP199 Clear Adhesion Promoter Primer - 11 oz.
2. Dupli-Color Toyota Metallic Silver Auto Spray Paint - 1C8 (1999-2006).
3. Dupli-Color Clear Top Coat

[chuckoff]

Spray bomb paint will never look as good or last as long as a true automotive paint. It will be cheaper.So, if money is a primary concern then go for it. The best solution if to just buy the OE mirror, painted, from the dealer. Not cheap, but good as new because it is and not made in China.

[Bennito]

Well, I must say I am very pleased with how the side mirror turned out.
I spent $80, 3 hours of painting (non-continuous), and 1 hour of install. More importantly, I learned a lot!
I want to post pictures, but it's asking me to enter the url? Weird. I would love to share the pictures.

Anyway, thanks again! It looks great and you cant see any difference.
One minor thing: the mirror cant be programmed on memory
When I get the right position and "save" it, then move it and press my memory again, it does move but goes all the in (towards the door). Probably a defect of the product?

Cheers,