Factory or Reproduction Mirrors?

[72 Copper C-10]

Hello Everyone,

I am getting close to being finished with body work, and I'm preparing trim pieces and other odds and ends to be installed. The truck came with some decent factory sport mirrors, but the finish is pitted and showing its age. What are your opinions on trying to refinish the factory mirrors, or should I just buy a set of reproductions?

Thanks,
John

[Curtb1971]

Hey John, depends on how bad your mirrors are pitted on how well they would clean up. 000 steel wool can do wonders but cant do much about pitting. As far as repops, I've had somewhat good luck in the past on a driver I installed some aftermarkets on, but I had to clean up the stainless on the back side of the mirror about every 6 months. Oh one other thing if you do decide to run some after market mirrors use your original mirror backing plate (not sure if these were removed for body work), buy some stainless screws and throw away the backing plates & screws from china (long story on how I learned the hard way). Curt

[72 Copper C-10]

Originally Posted by Curtb1971

Hey John, depends on how bad your mirrors are pitted on how well they would clean up. 000 steel wool can do wonders but cant do much about pitting. As far as repops, I've had somewhat good luck in the past on a driver I installed some aftermarkets on, but I had to clean up the stainless on the back side of the mirror about every 6 months. Oh one other thing if you do decide to run some after market mirrors use your original mirror backing plate (not sure if these were removed for body work), buy some stainless screws and throw away the backing plates & screws from china (long story on how I learned the hard way). Curt

Thanks Curt, I really appreciate the help! I will have to spend a little time cleaning the old ones up and looking at the situation. I guess the other possible option I would have is to look for an NOS set..
Thanks again,
John

[70LonghornCST]

NOS would sure look nice But I've brought back many parts from the dead with fine steel wool, as Curt pointed out, and a good metal polish (not to mention a bit of elbow grease).

[In The Ten Ring]

Let me ask you, would you rather date a gal with real boobs or fake ones?

Always go OEM or NOS if you can.....real will always be better and more valuable.

My truck has LMC repos right now and although the truck has been garaged every second since those went on, they both developed some black "freckles." I have NOS to replace those with but I'll have to get original backing plates. Headed to parts forum now.

[Grumpy old man]

Never use steel wool on any part of your truck ,EVER ! It belongs in your kitchen NOT your garage !

Bronze wool is the way to go .It won't scratch your chrome or leave swirl marks , It won't promote further rusting or pitting , It self lubricates as it cleans and comes in multiple grades just like steel wool , It lasts a long time and everyone knows how fast a steel wool pad breaks down and rusts/corrodes away when bronze wool will still be on your bench next year ready to be used . It's very easy to find at any Home depot or Lowes

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Homax-Fi...FRNuwQodYkMEJg

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Homax-Mediu...l-Wool/4755735

[52napco]

I'd go with the firm fake ones personally

[panhead59]

x2 they are always bigger and bigger is always better!

[Grumpy old man]

Cleaning /polishing your chrome should be followed up by a good Carnauba wax product to keep it looking good and protect it .

Before mounting any mirrors it's always easier if you run the mounting screws into the brackets BEFORE you mount them on your doors ,If your going to use stainless screws try cleaning /cutting the threads in the bracket with a similar steel screw before using the softer stainless screws

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 52napco

I'd go with the firm fake ones personally

Originally Posted by panhead59

x2 they are always bigger and bigger is always better!

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

... wax product to keep it looking good and...

Before mounting...

I'm so confused! Wax the real ones or the fake ones? Or either... both??? What if you've already mounted them?

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm so confused! Wax the real ones or the fake ones? Or either... both??? What if you've already mounted them?

[In The Ten Ring]

I have never dated anyone with fake ones but I did get a few hugs from my sister in law...she loves her fake ones and told me "so does your brother."