Cleaning/Prep for Mirrors

[SuperDaveGulvak]

Ok people just got my new power swoopies & switch in the mail today (TY Stefan!!) Now I would like to clean them up good and paint them a nice flat black but before doing so I would like some advice. What is the best way to go about this? Obviously I'm not gonna dunk them in a bucket of water & cleaner but do I need to be careful not to get the motor to wet? Just wanting tips along the lines of if I need to cover anything like w/ an engine (distributor/alternator). Before painting them should I use a very fine sandpaper to them so paint holds? Also will regular rustoleum flat black hold up or should I use this bumper restore I've heard about since its plastic? As a last note I would like to clean the switch up a bit- cool just to use electrical component cleaner on the switch & just don't hook it up till it has had a day to dry out completely? Thanks in advance might seem dumb but I just dont wanna goof up these sexy new swoopies :tongue3:

[sketchman]

You can use a heat gun on them if it's just scratches and not deep gashes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-dtbBzky-s

[wybnrml]

If they aren't scratched up I would just clean them with a sponge or a rag, use something that won't sratch them, with some soapy water. Its ok if they get alittle wet, think about if you take your car to a car wash they are going to get wet. If you do want to paint them I would just use a Scotch Brite pad with some soapy water to clean them and "scuff" them up for paint. Then just mask off the glass when you paint them. Rustoleum paint should work just fine.

[SuperDaveGulvak]

Wow that heat gun trick is pretty cool never knew that! But I don't want them to shine again so I'll be painting them flat black. No gouges or scratches really so figure I'll use the scotch brite pad Figured they got wet from elements & car washing just wanted another opinion & outside view before I went guns blazing LoL Thanks for the advice guys I'll post pics when I get them all done & put on the Festy

[navdoc101]

Sketchman Thats awsome! Gonna try that on my trim. I would use some Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter before you paint any plastic. Its like a primer that mkes painted plastics last longer, no peelin'. Used it on my sons Taco's front bumper 3 yrs ago, no peelin' of paint yet.

[SuperDaveGulvak]

Ahhhhhhh I'm gonna look for that Dupli Color Adhesion Promoter. Man they make a product for everything :tongue3:

[navdoc101]

I found it at P boys. Any parts place that sells Dupli Should have it. Good stuff.

[bravekozak]

I always take them completely apart before painting them. You need a terminal removal tool. I use a green Hero from Japan. However, you can get away with a cheap terminal removal tool from Summit. Once you've taken about twenty of them apart, it's easy as pie. I can do it in about 5 minutes.

I fill in the scratches with flat black touch up. Then very, very fine sanding. Then touch up and more sanding until the surface is smooth and uniform. Then coat hanger and automotive trim paint aerosol spray.

I have a bin full of painted 30 degree black swoopies (mirror housings and sail plates) waiting for Protege backplates with intact ears. I will start looking again as soon as it warms up above freezing.