Wing Mirrors

[simmo1077]

Hi Guys,

Im wanting to wrap my wing mirrors. 2 Questions really. 1) Is this a hard process or could it be done by someone who has limited wrapping experience? 2) Does the wing mirror cover just come off with a little gentle persuasion?

Cheers 

[_Adam_]

don't know aout the wrapping but the wingmirror cover comes off by pulling the glass out (pull hard and even but not sharp and sudden) and there should be a couple torx bolts in there somewhere,

i don't really remember but it was easy enough to do with no information on how to do it

[chrisowen85]

It's a pain in the arse to wrap them but it can be done, took me an hour to do each.

[8vMatt]

Hi mate

What sort of wrapping do you want to do? A stick on sheet that is printed to look like carbon or a real sheet of carbon and layers of resin on top to flat back and polish up? If its a stick on sheet you use a heat gun to get rid of the air bubbles, then a wing mirror for a first try is going to be tough going. Its such a 3D shape, getting it to lay on nice will be hard. Can you practice on easier bits first? If you want to use real carbon sheets, you can buy kits which include everything you need. I can find out a good one if you want? Making real carbon look right is a big job and the guys that do it are skilled. A friend went a bit mad and wrapped his interior trims for his S4 and spent 40+ hours on it!  Basically with this stuff, if you get it right, looks the nuts and is very satisfying to do. If you get it wrong, it will just look a mess.

If you feel confident, then go for it. If not then just buy some carbon covers off me!  

[bobotheclown]

Here's an article found on oem plus ages ago.

Phase One: Mirror Cover Removal

1.1 Push the inboard side of the mirror (closest to the car) forward so you can insert your fingers into the small opening between the outer edge of the mirror housing and the glass itself.


1.2 Gently pry toward yourself until the mirror glass pops off. It's a good idea to have your other hand close by so the mirror doesn't bang against the car and break or chip the paint. Note the orientation of the wiring connectors on the back of the glass. You'll need to reattach these later, but unplug them for now and set the mirror glass aside.


1.3 Looking into the empty mirror, locate the three Phillips screws that secure the mirror swivel plate to the assembly and remove them. Set the screws aside to be reinstalled later.


1.4 Once the swivel plate is loose, remove the connector that secures it to the car and set the swivel aside to be reinstalled later. Gently prying the tabs apart will allow the plug to be removed.


1.5 After the electronics are disconnected, it is time to loosen the mirror housing in preparation for removing it. These next few steps are the most delicate part of the entire install. As shown below, gently pull the lower trim toward you and upward until it comes free of the securing slot on the bottom of the arm. I am holding the camera in this shot, but you should use both hands. It will not move far, so don't yank on it.


1.6 There are two tabs that secure the blinker to the mirror housing. The one on the left (circled below) can be easily release before you pull the housing off. Do so by gently lifting on the outer end of the housing while you pry the tab towards you with the regular screwdriver. You only need to lift the housing far enough to keep the tabs from falling back into place when you remove the screwdriver. Don't overdo it.

The second tab is more difficult to access (and impossible to photograph) but you can see it by looking down into the hole that the screwdriver is protruding from in the photo below. Assuming that the outer tab is released, lift up a bit more on the mirror housing as you pry the second tab away from the painted housing. Again, don't overdo it. Don't let go at this point!


1.7 It is now time to remove the housing. Continue lifting at the outer end and pry at the hinge with your fingers or the regular screwdriver. Fingers are preferred. Draw the housing upward and toward the front of the car. It will come off pretty quickly. If you hear some snapping noises, the blinker tabs snapped back into place before you could get the housing off. Try to be more careful on the other side.

    Note: Here you can see the second tab a bit more clearly. Or, where the second tab should be, if I hadn't broken it off. It is accessible, as long as you are patient.

[Saint Steve]

Dont bother Wrapping, get a 2nd hand set and spray them, most wraps when stretched shink back after a while, and come unstuck,showing the old colour underneath and look crap.

Keep your origonals stored away , so if you want to go back to Standard, you still can..

[sprout99]

also.....

you can unclip cover without the complicated dismantle

set glass parallel to join line between housings

wiggle cover vertical it will come off without any other bits removed - held on by a few clips
thats all

[tech1889]

Dont bother Wrapping, get a 2nd hand set and spray them, most wraps when stretched shink back after a while, and come unstuck,showing the old colour underneath and look crap.

Keep your origonals stored away , so if you want to go back to Standard, you still can..

if you use proper wrapping vinyl this shouldnt happen as your supposed to 'set' the vinyl by heating it up once the item is fully wrapped.. also when ive done wrapping i use a bit of nail varnish lacquer and go around the edge and ive had nothing peel yet 

[Saint Steve]

Dont bother Wrapping, get a 2nd hand set and spray them, most wraps when stretched shink back after a while, and come unstuck,showing the old colour underneath and look crap.

Keep your origonals stored away , so if you want to go back to Standard, you still can..

if you use proper wrapping vinyl this shouldnt happen as your supposed to 'set' the vinyl by heating it up once the item is fully wrapped.. also when ive done wrapping i use a bit of nail varnish lacquer and go around the edge and ive had nothing peel yet 

Mine were wrapped twice with carbon fibre weave, and twice it shunk back, fitted by Racoon car wraps, and prooves to be a total waste of money.
Wrap sticks fine, unless you have to stretch it . On mirror housings it has to be stretched tightly, but the edges soon unstick and lift..

I really wouldn't bother, but if you like to blow money in the wind, then whatever floats your boat ,etto

[tech1889]

See thats why i use the lacquer to stop it peeling back.. ive just bought some silver carbon wrap and going to do my mirrors we will see how long they last at £6 for the wrap i dont mind if it only last 6 months