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I decided to spruce up my girl a bit with painted to match mirror caps. After removing them, I did the following :
1. Sanded them with a small orbital electric sander and 320 grit paper.
2. Wet sanded them by hand with 1000 grit 3M paper.
3. Sprayed them with plastic adhesion promoter. Following the instructions, I applied a thin top coat and 3 minutes later I followed with a heavy coat.
4. After a 30 minute cure time elapsed, I sprayed the 1st of 3 layers of base coat, waiting 10 minutes between coats.
5. After a 60 minute cure time elapsed, I sprayed the 1st of 4 layers of clear coat, waiting 15 minutes between coats.
6. After 1 hour I moved the cover into the direct sun and let it cure all day.
7. The following afternoon I wet sanded the cover with 2000 grit 3M paper.
8. After drying the cover I polished it with a 5" orbital polisher and Meguiar's Ultimate Polish. Pressing very lightly I worked around the whole cover, taking my time.
9. I finished by waxing the cover with Meguiar's Yellow # 26. Two coats later, the results speak for themselves.
I bought the paint & clear from Automotivetouchup.com. It wasn't cheap ($41.62 shipped to my door) but I must say the color is an EXACT match. I bought the plastic adhesion promoter for $4.99 at Tractor Supply Co.
For those interested, here are a few pics of where the tabs are located that hold the cover to the mirror assembly. Center the mirror in the housing and then point it down as far as it can go. You can then access all 3 tabs on the top and side. Pull out on the cover and look down inside to just see the bottom tab. A stool and a flashlight are very helpful to see the tab.
The bottom one is a b!tch to get out without breaking it. You have to work a curved pointed object down into the housing and pry the tab release to one side. The tab you want to pry over is the one on the side closest to the cab of the truck.
Here is the adhesion promoter, paint and clear coat:
Last edited by B-ManFX4; 11-04-2016 at 02:16 PM.
Reason: Spelling errors corrected.
Looks very nice! Wish they would have come that way from the factory! The two outside ones don't look too bad but that center tab looks like a pain to get off. And let me guess Ford wont sell just the caps they only sell the mirror as an assembly... Looks great add it to the list of things I want to do!
Actually, I looked into that before I started this - just to be sure I could fix it if I screwed it up. The covers are available separately, but they are $42 each or so, without shipping...
As much as I would like to help you out, I am by no means a professional. Anyone can do this if they are patient and willing to do a little prep work. Years ago a good friend of mine who painted cars told me "Most bad paint jobs are due to poor surface preparation, not poor technique when spraying."
Wear non-powdered surgical gloves to keep the oils from your skin from contaminating the surface to be painted, wet sand when possible, wash the part with soap and water before you apply anything, three light coats are better than one heavy coat, etc.
Anyone can do this if they are patient and willing to do a little prep work. Years ago a good friend of mine who painted cars told me "Most bad paint jobs are due to poor surface preparation, not poor technique when spraying.".
No doubt any great paint job is all about prep. Guess it's part of the reason I hate to paint. The worst part is for me however is having to clean up!!
Excellent job OP. Looks fantastic and thanks for sharing.
11-02-2016, 02:35 PM
Towing Mirror Caps Painted: A How-To
The worst part is for me however is having to clean up!! 
