One for the painters

[Faheem]

Quick question for the painters:

Why is it that my wing mirrors corrode 4-5 months after spraying them.

When I purchased the car the paint was flaky so I sanded the bases down to bare metal using aluminium oxide paper and then painted it using an acid etch primer followed by 3-4 coats of paint and then finished with 3 coats of 1k lacquer.

A few months after there were small pitting marks in the paint which were progressively getting worse, this time I went at it with a dremel and sanded it down to bare metal again and carried on even after getting it to bare metal to ensure that all the elements of corrosion had been removed. Then followed the same procedure to paint the bases.

BUT THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. Pitting marks on near side wing mirror. Can this be cured without a new wing mirror?

Thanks.

 

[Faheem]

 

[t-tony]

My guess, which may not be correct Faheem, is that they're still oxidising. Did you also paint the inside, it may seal them and stop this happening. Just a thought mate.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

I've not @t-tony may give that a go.

Mirrors just a pain to take off as there's so much that can break, (door card clips, mirror stem, clips for the casing etc.) if I do repaint the mirror then I'd like to do it properly so I thought I'd ask for advice on here.

You can't get inhibitors for aluminium can you?

 

[t-tony]

I've not @t-tony may give that a go.

Mirrors just a pain to take off as there's so much that can break, (door card clips, mirror stem, clips for the casing etc.) if I do repaint the mirror then I'd like to do it properly so I thought I'd ask for advice on here.

You can't get inhibitors for aluminium can you?

Honestly I can't answer that mate, maybe @Sean d can help here, but his access is limited to lunchtime at work at the moment.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Okay, thanks mate.

 

[hard top]

@Faheem, they are f***ed, buy a Z4.......

 

[t-tony]

You had a bang on the bonce HT? Good advice mate.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

@hard top Buy a z4?

That picture was taken the first time I took the mirrors off when I'd purchased the car. They're nowhere near as bad now but still some pitting mate.

I thought you have a z3 anyway?

 

[Nodzed]

My guess, which may not be correct Faheem, is that they're still oxidising. Did you also paint the inside, it may seal them and stop this happening. Just a thought mate.

Tony.

I would agree with Tony on this, I am guessing that the mirror base was not totally paint sealed inside and out and water, humidity etc is getting into the unpainted areas and oxidisation is occurring which is then migrating under the paint. I would get them done professionally.

 

[Ianmc]

New bases? Have never had this problem, thankfully

 

[Sean d]

Basically you can't stop it with off the shelf products and can't even guarantee it with trade gear, the micro pitting will go deeper then what you see on the surface when you clean it up.
I did mine using the very best 2k acid etch and they are still good with no pitting, jobs like this need doing professionally or you will be forever taking them off.

 

[t-tony]

Good advice Sean.

Tony.

 

[Faheem]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I guess the mirror will be going to someone to get painted then.

 

[Grumps]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I guess the mirror will be going to someone to get painted then.

Wrap it up and send it to @Sean d Faheem.

 

[Faheem]

I'd love to @Grumpy but I've much bigger plans. Sadly I can't do anything at the moment as I'm dependant on the zed to get to work.

Sills and wheel arches will also be getting some attention soon along with the front bumper and the dent I created on my bonnet.

 

[Grumps]

You may as well have a full hit done then mate. Het a much better finish.

 

[Faheem]

precisely mate.

 

[Ianmc]

Is it possible to purchase new mirror plinths on their own (without the mirror) from BMW? Real OEM seems to show the whole assembly.

 

[hard top]

Is it possible to purchase new mirror plinths on their own

Yeah, ask @TaffZee he got a set from Germany but I can't remember where.