Side Mirror Chrome Peeling

[Steve Beamer]

Just bought this 2015 Vegas 24.1 this week. The chrome on the side mirrors is peeling badly and the zinc/pot metal underneath is oxidizing white which provides an obvious contrast to the remaining chrome. Is there any way to repair them without replacement or removing and re-chroming?

[Scubawise]

https://youtu.be/yUfnBV0gdHQ

[Steve Beamer]

Thanks for the Youtube link Scubawise. That's great!

[Chateau_Nomad]

I did a minor restoration project on my Jeep TJ last year. One of the issues with TJs is the factory coating that was applied to the stock mirrors (a black paint) cracks and flakes off exactly the way your chrome plating did. AND, the TJ mirrors are a similar "pot metal" as you describe.

Honestly - if you REALLY want to restore a chrome finish, although there's some decent "chrome paint" out there, nothing looks as good as REAL chrome plating. It just looks painted... unlike the smooth mirror finish of real chrome plating.

You COULD just paint them a low gloss black, or even white - depending on preference to match your motorhome's paint scheme. If so... read on.

The pot metal oxidizes under the paint, then the paint releases and cracks. I peeled the rest of the paint off - then power sanded completely clean - followed by wiping down with acetone.

I used a Krylon paint called Fusion. Sand/clean as described. Be SURE the temperature is around 70 - 75 degrees... NOT cold OR direct sun. No primer is required. LIGHTLY spray the entire surface evenly. LIGHTLY. Allow to set for 10 minutes or so. Then LIGHTLY apply another coat.

The trick is to not get carried away putting on heavy coats. Several light coats works best. I painted my TJ mirrors, fender flares (plastic) front and rear bumpers and various "black items" on the Jeep. It has shown NO signs of peeling in the last year. AND... it looks like factory paint! I use the matte black, which has a very slight sheen to it.

[Steve Beamer]

that sounds good.

[ducksface]

https://www.amazon.com/PLASTI-Mulit-...rpt=PAINT&th=1

This is the only spray I like better than krylon fusion.

Also
Look up

DipYourCar

On YouTube.
It is absolutely worth the 10 minutes toward an AMAZING education.
(I picked up plastidip equivalent at a $1 a can through eastwood as a closeout. I bought 144 cans)

[taylorbob1]

I’ve used the “Peel-able” spray paint on my cars where the sun has oxidized the paint.
Works great on sun damaged side mirrors, roofs, bumper trim
Many use to repaint rims
The beauty is that it is removable if desired
Comes in several colors, but black is the top seller.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by ducksface

https://www.amazon.com/PLASTI-Mulit-...rpt=PAINT&th=1

This is the only spray I like better than krylon fusion.

Also
Look up

DipYourCar

On YouTube.
It is absolutely worth the 10 minutes toward an AMAZING education.
(I picked up plastidip equivalent at a $1 a can through eastwood as a closeout. I bought 144 cans)

I compared the Plastidip rubberized coating vs Krylon paint when planning my resto project. My decision was determined by wanting a more permanent finish... as opposed to typically 3 years for Plastidip. I'll admit there are rave reviews for Plastidip - I came very close. But my decision came down to permanence... I wanted it to last well beyond 3 years. Plastidip may well last beyond that, but even several Jeep reviews said that's typical.

Many choices... comes down to your preference.

[ducksface]

Later I'll post a picture.
I
plastidipped
Hydrographic printed
Clear coated,
A part for my grinder.

Just an experiment.
I wanted to see if Hydrographic would print to plastidip.
It does.

If taking those mirrors off wasn't such an ass-pain I'd recommend going to a Hydrographic shop.

[ducksface]

Plasti-dipped
Then
Hydrographic printed.
No need for both, but this allows the hydrodip to be peeled off instead of sanded off.

Also Look up
https://www.amazon.com/Car-Wrap/s?k=Car+Wrap
I do a bit of this on things like rv mirrors and tool boxes and henways.
There is a good chrome wrap if you insist.

Cricut can cut the wrap for custom stuff like logos or lettering or to extend the body paint swooshes to your mirror.

But
I'd just spray paint the mirrors one of the body swoosh colors and call it
Custom paint.

Edit:
Just walked through the spousal unit's shop.
Outdoor christmas stuff was being sprayed with plastic-dip(Eastwood brand).

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Plasti-dipped
Then
Hydrographic printed.
No need for both, but this allows the hydrodip to be peeled off instead of sanded off.

Also Look up
https://www.amazon.com/Car-Wrap/s?k=Car+Wrap
I do a bit of this on things like rv mirrors and tool boxes and henways.
There is a good chrome wrap if you insist.

Cricut can cut the wrap for custom stuff like logos or lettering or to extend the body paint swooshes to your mirror.

But
I'd just spray paint the mirrors one of the body swoosh colors and call it
Custom paint.

That's GNARLY DUDE!! I could go crazy with that as a hobby! Get me a 3D printer and a kit of that stuff... Lock me up in the basement for a month!

[rudy10742]

Originally Posted by Steve Beamer

Just bought this 2015 Vegas 24.1 this week. The chrome on the side mirrors is peeling badly and the zinc/pot metal underneath is oxidizing white which provides an obvious contrast to the remaining chrome. Is there any way to repair them without replacement or removing and re-chroming?

rudy10742 I have a 2016 AXIS 24.1 same problem?. Can they be sanded and painted flat black?

[Scubawise]

Velvac 714579 $120.92 Deluxe Left Side Mirror | Zoro.com
https://www.zoro.com/velvac-deluxe-l...79/i/G1418907/

[Steve Beamer]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

Velvac 714579 $120.92 Deluxe Left Side Mirror | Zoro.com
https://www.zoro.com/velvac-deluxe-l...79/i/G1418907/

Thanks, but the one with the remote motors and cameras is about $500.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Steve Beamer

Thanks, but the one with the remote motors and cameras is about $500.

Yes... you can paint them. Read the suggestions in the above posts. Words of warning: Preparation is key! Be sure to follow ALL instructions very closely or you'll be right back where you started with peeling mirrors. Prep is 90% of the work. The painting itself is EASY.