Date:         Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:09:30 -0700
Reply-To:     "Michael A. Radtke" <wa7zpu@CISAZ.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Michael A. Radtke" <wa7zpu@CISAZ.COM>
Subject:      Re: Side Mirror Surfaces
Comments: To: Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTimNWSP9PcPvhD=GCq3bxLDu_XZ3gppJp6+wKKLe@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Stacy,

Thanks for the reply.

The convex passenger side mirror is definitely silvered on the back with
clear glass on the front.

My Vanagon mirrors are manual.  I got used to driving with a convex
mirror on the left when traveling internationally and my '79 Jet
ElectraVan came equipped that way as well.  So I was pleased that when
my Vanagon mirrors finally disintegrated, I could get both sides convex
from the Bus Depot.

Since apparently front surface mirrors are now common, I wonder if they
are coated.  The surface looks like evaporated aluminum to me and that
doesn't stand up well to cleaning.  On the other hand, a coating
probably wouldn't last very long either.  Look at all of the fogged over
headlights since the auto industry successfully lobbied the government
to remove the sealed beam requirement.

Thanks again,
Mike


-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: Side Mirror Surfaces
Date:   Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:33:58 -0700
From:   Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@gmail.com>
To:     Michael A. Radtke <wa7zpu@cisaz.com>
CC:     vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
References:     <4CBE6A1E.3070005@cisaz.com>



        Almost all replacement mirrors today have the silver on the top
side. (first surface mirror)  . It is done to minimize headlight bounce
at night by allowing the light to go through the mirror and not come
back at you. It is essentially what people call two way mirror . It is
also what they use in observation areas . You see through it especially
when the light is greater on the viewed side.
        I would be surprised if any of those mirrors you bought actually
have the mirror on the back side. I actually sell quite a few of these
,and do not think I have seen one that had the mirror on the back .
       Just curious ,were the lenses for the Vanagon for the power or
manual mirrors?



  Stacy


On Tue, Oct 19, 2010 at 9:03 PM, Michael A. Radtke <wa7zpu@cisaz.com
<mailto:wa7zpu@cisaz.com>> wrote:

     Hello,

     I finally had to replace my side mirrors on my vanagon and I did so
with
     convex on both sides.  This has been just great.  (Vanagon content)

     I just needed to replace the mirrors (hail) on a different car.  The
     right convex mirror was just fine with glass on the reflecting side and
     silvering on the back.  However, the flat mirror supplied for the left
     would have had the silvering on the reflecting side.  Since that would
     have been correct on the right side, I assumed that they just sent the
     wrong mirror and I ordered a replacement.

     You guessed it.  The replacement mirror was exactly the same.

     I contacted the company and they had a story about the Japanese
doing it
     one way and the USA doing it the other and I should just go ahead and
     use the mirror since it was correct.  However, it seems to me that even
     if they clear coated the silvered side it would never hold up nearly as
     long as if the glass was exposed to the elements.  We Vanagon owners
     tend to keep all of our cars a very long time.

     So, what's the best knowledge on this?  Is this the way they make
     mirrors now?

     Thanks,
     Mike    '84 GL since new ... Phoenix.




--
    1989 Swedish Tristar with Aluminum gates and Atiwe 16" Wheels.
     Oldest son is an Eagle scout.