C1 59: Mirror scratches

[Rob M.]

Dear Corvette lovers,

My outside mirror has scratches on the outside glass of the mirror itself. Can these be removed by polishing or is this so time consuming that I shouldn't bother ? If not what's the procedure to get them removed ?

If the mirror glass needs replacement how should I proceed on doing this ?

thanks for your response,
Rob.




The C1 1959 Corvette Restoration Project

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 59: Mirror scratches

If scratches so deep in glass that lightly dragging your fingernail across the scratch slows or stops foreward progress of fingernail, then scratch not removable by polishing. Eastwood sells a Buff and buffing compound that i've had limited success removing scratches fromwindow glass. I wouldn't waste time on outside mirror glass as its readily available in repo form and quality is excellent--Try Paragon, they ad in driveline. good luck, mike

[Jeffrey C.]

Re: C1 59: Mirror scratches

Rob
Whatever your decision on the polishing, check to see if the mirror is an original Guide Y-50 type or not. If it is an original the mirror will have an interesting difference in the glass from the excellent reproductions available. Take a pencil or pen tip and place it against the glass. On the old original type glass the real tip and the reflected tip will not meet because the reflection material was applied to the back of the glass. On all the new mirrors the tip will touch as the reflective material was applied to the front of the glass. The first time this was demonstrated to me I was truly suprised. If you have an original mirror it is well worth taking care of. If it is a reproduction replace it but they aren't cheap
Jeff Carlton
NCC/NCRS