Metallic mirrors - issues

[Socalstinga]

Just got my gt1 a few days ago and noticed spotting and cracking of the surface on my side mirrors. Anyone else having these issues???

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Need to put some elbow grease into it with a micro fiber. The black chrome spots super easy. Then fear bra after go keep perfect.

 

[weew]

spotting? cracking? it just looks dirty.

mine attract dirt like you wouldn't believe. wipe + wax it.

 

[Socalstinga]

Need to put some elbow grease into it with a micro fiber. The black chrome spots super easy. Then fear bra after go keep perfect.

I’ll try buffing it out

 

[Socalstinga]

spotting? cracking? it just looks dirty.

mine attract dirt like you wouldn't believe. wipe + wax it.

Spotting and there’s a spot that looks like it’s cracking

 

[AV8R]

I had mine ceramic coated but they still marked. The secret is waxing! Clean first to remove spots then wax liberally. I’m getting mine 3m clear coated soon.

 

[Socalstinga]

I had mine ceramic coated but they still marked. The secret is waxing! Clean first to remove spots then wax liberally. I’m getting mine 3m clear coated soon.

Does the 3m clear coat do anything to the paint underneath?

 

[AV8R]

Does the 3m clear coat do anything to the paint underneath?

No, but if you leave any spots they get sealed underneath and won’t come off.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Use a damp/wet chamois, little elbow grease then buff with dry micro fibre cloth....works for me.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

No, but if you leave any spots they get sealed underneath and won’t come off.

Yes, make sure they are clean and no spot prior to put the clear bra on. Any competent installer SHOULD be doing this. I did my mirrors but not my fender vents and the mirrors still look perfect...no spots. Cannot say the same for the fender vents.

A micro fiber and elbow grease works very well also

 

[mldavis2]

I wouldn't try to buff it. I used clay bar to clean a very few spots off mine when it came home from the dealer, then a coat of carnuba/polymer wax on the whole car. Chrome dries spotless with microfiber after you clean and wax it.

 

[NYLAWBIZ]

just try waxing them - I bet that will work (do not use polish or anything with abrasives).

 

[mldavis2]

just try waxing them - I bet that will work (do not use polish or anything with abrasives).

Clay bar is not exactly an "abrasive" (technically it is, of course) but when used properly with a lube, it is harmless to the chrome. I had some kind of dark stains on my front chrome that wouldn't come off with car wash soap and elbow grease - maybe something left from ocean shipping, I don't know. Once the stains came off and the surface was waxed, it's simple to keep them clean.

 

[NYLAWBIZ]

But this isn't chrome ( metal), its plastic.

 

[mldavis2]

But this isn't chrome ( metal), its plastic.

Exactly, which is why I wouldn't try to buff it. Do whatever works to get rid of the stains, then wax it.

 

[Kamauxx]

Those are just water spots. A simple wash/dry will remove them.

 

[NYLAWBIZ]

Exactly, which is why I wouldn't try to buff it. Do whatever works to get rid of the stains, then wax it.

The (Mylar-type) finish on the plastic is likely impermeable. What may appear as defects on the surface are likely superficial stuff. I would try just wax (not polish) first and see what you get before using anything else. Wax comes off easy enough.

 

[StingerGT68]

Meguiar's Detailer Spray and a microfiber cloth will clean that right up.

 

[NYLAWBIZ]

Meguiar's Detailer Spray and a microfiber cloth will clean that right up.

Sounds right.

 

[mldavis2]

Didn't work on mine. But first do no harm. Start easy and increase as needed. I use Meguiar products including the car wash soap and Detailer Spray and carnuba/polymer wax. It took a bit of light clay bar to remove the dark stains on the chrome on the lower front of my car. Wax might work as a solvent depending on what the stain was. I choose not to wax over something that I'd have to remove later. Do whatever works for you, then keep it waxed. (I'm a retired chemist so I know a little about solvents.)