On a 70 convertible, the inside mirror is in good shape except for some of the backing on the mirror glass itself plus it needs to be cleaned up inside the housing. Can the mirror be taken apart so that I can have the glass resilvered.? How does it come apart and are there any tricks to doing this ? I'd like to keep the original housing, markings etc. Thanks.
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Piece of cake!
The glass is glued to the rubber support with conventional yellow adhesive (3M weatherstrip). It 'can' be gotten out intact by injecting weatherstrip adhesive remover CAREFULLY between the outer lip of the rubber support insert and the glass and slowly/carefully 'working' the glass within the rubber support to move the glue disolver around to free the bonding. But, most of us who've been there/done that find this approach kinda/sort futile....
Why? Well, if you're sucessful at getting the glass out of the rubber intact, you're going to find glass shops that will re-silver the mirror will generally charge you $30-50 for the service. You can ring up Paragon and get a fresh replacement mirror for $40 less a 10% NCRS functional discount IF you identify yourself as an NCRS member when you setup your Paragon account. With that set of economics, why screw around trying to save the original glass???????
Once you've settled this in you mind, you can move on to the alternative restoration method. Don a pair of safety glasses, take a hammer and WACK -- crack the original mirror. Now, pry out pieces and shards being careful not to cut yourself. Clean the inside of the rubber surround support and buff the mirror's SS back to make 'er look fresh again. Now, lay a bead of RTV (room temperature vulcanizing material--silicone bathtub caulk) inside the rubber surround support and POP your fresh Paragon replacement glass in. You're DONE!
BTW, be CAREFUL handling the mirror assy when you buff. If you look CLOSELY, you'll see the rubber insert surround is NOT glued to the SS housing all the way around.... The bottom 7/8th of the rubber is free to move relative to the housing. That's how the Day/Nite feature works!
The flip button rolls a cam against the rear of the rubber insert support to tilt the mirror. This results in an off-center reflection angle and diming due to internal refraction. In order to achieve this effect, the rear of the glass is silvered and NOT shot with protective paint. That's why these mirrors tend to turn 'dull' and develop yellowish age discoloration.
The raw silver is exposed to any cleaning agents used that might seep/weep between the rubber insert support and the mirror's back. Typical glass cleaners are comprised of amonia (stong base) and this reacts with/eats into the silver. So, once you've restored your mirror clean it with something that's almost PH neutral (plain water) and it'll last, last, last.... -
10% discount at Paragon?
Jack,
I've ordered stuff from Paragon for eyaers and I've never gotten a 10% discount. Are you telling me I've been paying 10% more than I should have simply because I never told them I was an NCRS member?
GaryComment
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Re: 10% discount at Paragon?
Hey, me too! Nobody ever told me!!!Comment
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In My Opinion
the new owners at Paragon are doing a wonderful job of PR in Richards Ah Hem..absence. I am getting treated like royality there now and prior to the sale anything other than ten percent was unheard of, now if only Steve and David would purchase LICs I'd be a happier jobber
jerComment
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Re: In My Opinion
Jer, I'd be happy if Ben & Jerry purchased LIC. I will not give them dime one.Comment
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Re: 10% discount at Paragon?
The functional discount for certain car club members has long been a Paragon 'feature' that required YOU to know of the policy (it was documented a LONG time ago) and arrange to have your account annotated with order entry folks. Those who are modest volume commercial accounts only get a 15% average discount. So, while 10% doesn't look like much, it's actually a pretty good deal! Plus, when you deal with other catalog parts houses, don't be 'shy' -- ASK if your NCRS club membership buys you any preference.
You just might be pleasantly surprised to find additional benefits associated with your NCRS membership you didn't know were available. On Paragon, guys, don't dispair--now that you're 'wise' call Paragon and have the order entry folks make the 'adjustment' to your profile and enjoy future savings......Comment
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Re: In My Opinion
I get all my parts from Doc Rebuild. He has the best tech support in the business, in my opinion.
GeorgeComment
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Re: In My Opinion
George, Rumor has it that you are Doc's adopted son.Comment
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Re: In My Opinion
Brian, rumor has it that you're a lesbian!Comment
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Re: In My Opinion
George, Do you think that name calling is good for anyone?Comment
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Re: In My Opinion
Works for me! LOLComment
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Ladies! Please!!! *NM*
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