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Date:         Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:00:03 -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: greg@pottsfamily.ca
In-Reply-To:  <885a9bc55e9d41ec9316c8d02d67d95d.squirrel@ketchup.teksavvy.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed

Greg,

Thanks for the reply.

I found a mirror manufacturer (Dorman) who says that their mirrors are rear reflective like the originals, so I will be ordering from them. Having glass as the front surface trumps plastic coatings for wear.

I may have jumped to a conclusion that the reflective surface was aluminum. Perhaps these front surface mirrors are chrome or some other hard metal?

Mike

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Side Mirror Surfaces Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:16:44 -0400 From: Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> Reply-To: greg@pottsfamily.ca To: Michael A. Radtke <wa7zpu@CISAZ.COM>

Hi Michael,

Try an auto-trim reseller. They have some optically clear adhesive coatings that are like magic. A bunch of my friends have them protecting the screens on their blackberries and iphones, they are very durable and guaranteed for years outdoors.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts www.pottsfamily.ca WWW.BUSESOFTHECORN.CA <--- NEW .CA DOMAIN!!! 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender hardtop Vanagon 1988 Wolfsburg Weekender hardtop Vanagon 1973 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"

> 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. >


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