Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

State Divisions => South Australia => Topic started by: frangutz on August 15, 2013, 09:53:45 AM

Title: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: frangutz on August 15, 2013, 09:53:45 AM
Hey Guys,

my passenger side door mirror has some scratches on the glass (as if somebody has tried to clean it using some steel wool!). The scratches are on the bottom corner of the glass and really bother me when I'm looking into the mirror checking my blindspot etc.

Is there a way to buff them out/hide them without buying a new mirror?

=F.
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: Anthony Miller on August 15, 2013, 11:07:08 AM
you can try "Purple" metal polish, I've used it to clear up hazed plastic headlight covers to great success and it says on the bottle "also great with Glass".
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: ARQ164 Shane on August 15, 2013, 07:55:07 PM
How about putting a small round dome mirror over the top for about $5 bucks
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: colcol on August 15, 2013, 08:43:27 PM
What sort of car is the scratched mirror attached to?, usual thing to remove scratches, various grades of polish, remember the art of removing big scratches is with little scratches, Colin.
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: frangutz on August 16, 2013, 05:43:02 PM
Quote from: colcol on August 15, 2013, 08:43:27 PM
What sort of car is the scratched mirror attached to?, usual thing to remove scratches, various grades of polish, remember the art of removing big scratches is with little scratches, Colin.

It's my little 147 baby. passenger mirror. I spent time last night with some polishes. Can't get the big scratch out but I got some annoying blemishes out. I will try the Purple polish that was also recommended to try get the big scratches out. overall ok now though.

believe it or not - from what I saw on the web, toothpaste is pretty good for this kind of thing.... but you need a little buffing tool (like an electric toothbrush....)  ;)
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: colcol on August 16, 2013, 08:39:33 PM
You can also use 'BRASSO' as well, but car polishes are good, because they come in different grades of grit, eg no2 heavy cut to swirl remover, Colin.
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: Craig_m67 on August 19, 2013, 07:41:04 PM
Or.... You could go online and buy a new heated mirror glass on eBay.co.uk for about five pounds and have it delivered by royal mail in a few days for another ten. $30./ jobs jobbed. It simply clips in with an adhesive backing, they do pop out (without breaking) although it is a nervy job.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=Alfa+147+mirror&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XAlfa+147+mirror+glass&_nkw=Alfa+147+mirror+glass&_sacat=0


I bought a new OEM heated mirror glass for my 156 last year for £5.99. Indeed I now have two spare if anybody wants/needs one, or they fit a 147 :)
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: colcol on August 19, 2013, 08:59:17 PM
I did this job a few months ago, in a roundabout way, the tensioner had come of on the spring that holds the mirror in position, had to remove mirror glass to get at assembly, the glass clips in, but its hard to unclip it from the front, but is easy to clip a new one in.
I would try and polish the scratches out first, and if it doesn't comeup any good, just order a new glass and smash the old [ruined], glass out, it may save you about an hour of swearing and cursing, Colin.
Title: Re: How to fix scratched mirrors
Post by: frangutz on August 19, 2013, 11:01:57 PM
Quote from: Craig_m67 on August 19, 2013, 07:41:04 PM
Or.... You could go online and buy a new heated mirror glass on eBay.co.uk for about five pounds and have it delivered by royal mail in a few days for another ten. $30./ jobs jobbed. It simply clips in with an adhesive backing, they do pop out (without breaking) although it is a nervy job.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=Alfa+147+mirror&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XAlfa+147+mirror+glass&_nkw=Alfa+147+mirror+glass&_sacat=0


I bought a new OEM heated mirror glass for my 156 last year for £5.99. Indeed I now have two spare if anybody wants/needs one, or they fit a 147 :)

Hey Thanks for this. This might be an option too. Actually, I got most of the annoying scratches out... not sure how. But it works ok now.

But this looks like a good option.

=F.