Thinking about a ghetto mod... it involves paint. yikes.

[hotani]

I'm thinking about doing a paint job on my side mirrors in order to end up with something like this:


I know one option would be to hit it with the "Krylon touch" ... but I thought I'd be a little more thorough. You know, remove mirrors, strip clearcoat and paint if necessary then repaint in that lovely flat silver color.

So.... too ghetto? Should I forget it and spent $350 on some shiny OEM mirrors? (hint: I'm not gonna spend $350 for some stupid mirrors)

Let me know if anyone has done something like this before - I'd love to take on the project but haven't painted anything car related before.

[ianacole]

The closest I've come to painting anything on my car was my taillights (I did my calipers too, but not sure that counts).  The worst that can happen is you have to re-sand and re-paint.

The real question is...would you like it?  If so, then nay-sayers can pound sand.  I'd be willing to help you do it...I have all the appropriate sandpapers and rubbing compounds.  I even have a paint gun and compressor if you want to go that route.

Ian

[evil_O]

If you are going to do it, I would have someone do it.  Painting something that visible should be done right.

IMHO  

[92UrS4]

Charles, I like to say, "go for it." I think you should try it  However, try and pick up a used set, maybe from a totalled A4 or someone unloading their stockies and paint those.  If they work out you could sell your stockies or if they don't resell those as "project mirrors."

I also think if you are going that deep, maybe think about putting in a little LED turn signal into each mirror.  Ooh I am dangerous.

I hope you tackle it, it would be neat to see the outcome regardless.

[hotani]

I like that idea... Then I wouldn't be so worried about jacking up my current mirrors, plus I wouldn't have any downtime with the car. hmmmmmm.....

[evil_O]

Charles, I like to say, "go for it." I think you should try it  However, try and pick up a used set, maybe from a totalled A4 or someone unloading their stockies and paint those.  If they work out you could sell your stockies or if they don't resell those as "project mirrors."

I also think if you are going that deep, maybe think about putting in a little LED turn signal into each mirror.  Ooh I am dangerous.

I hope you tackle it, it would be neat to see the outcome regardless.

Good idea

[03Indigo]

the a4 and passat use the same housing covers, believe it or not.  find someone that has some laying around.  I know one guy that has some, let me check with him first, maybe he will part with them.  I can let you know next week

[hotani]

Ironic that I was once in possession of a couple of mirrors attached to a totaled black passat... I'm sure the salvage yard wouldn't have missed them! "oh, yeah - they totally flew off on impact... probably out in the woods somewhere!" :lol:

Thanks for the comments, Jon let me know if anything turns up.

[03Indigo]

Jon let me know if anything turns up.

I will email him right now, but sleep all day tomorrow for wor, on friday night, but if I hear something, I will let you know asap!!!!!

[scott]

I say go with no mirrors...  :twisted:

[scott]

and then paint the whole car flat silver...   8O  8O  8O  8O

[hotani]

sweeeeeeet.... that would trim like .005 off my 1/4 mile too - I'm gonna DO IT!!

[aowhaus]

If your mirrors are scratched or chipped, then I would say go for it.
The OEM S-line aluminum mirrors were $400 each, which are insane, and finding one off a totalled S4 which has this mirror option is rare.

I went with the Inpro chrome mirrors which are direct replacements (not the cheap stick on covers found on eBay), which I really like.  They cost $120 from parts4vws.com and they will fit A4s as well.

You could get chrome spray paint, it never results in a mirror finish, so you should have a nice satin polished aluminum finish without looking like silver paint.
Maybe I should do that to my spare OEM mirrors and see how it goes.

[hotani]

Yeah I definitely want the flat look, not chrome.