Community Forums

Nohurry · 06-10-2020, 07:50 PM

Doing some springtime cleaning, and maintenance. The mirrors are faded, pitted etc and I’d like to sand them down and re-paint. After doing a little research, I see they possibly are just lag screwed through the siding into wood, but not positive about that. Obviously, removal would be easiest but I’m a little paranoid about the re-install not being as secure.

I could do it on the rig I suppose, or am I being too cautious?

Also, is the elec connection easy enough to get to and disconnect?

If any of you have any experience, and/or advise I’d appreciate it. Thanks.

Unplanned Tourist · 06-11-2020, 06:36 AM

If it was me, I would just leave them on and paint them in place.

Just be sure to use lots of plastic to cover the area around them when you spray the paint on.

Happy Glamping.

Wizard · 06-11-2020, 07:04 AM

I painted mine in place, as stated I used paint drop cloths and lots of blue paint tape to really mask around them.

Mark_K5LXP · 06-11-2020, 12:00 PM

I would find it incredible to discover a mirror is anchored in wood. Odds are much greater it's either a self drill or sheet metal screw through a metal frame member. You could try taking one screw out and getting a feel by looking at it what it might be anchored in.

I just fixed one of the velvac mirrors on mine and it was very straightforward. The wiring connection was stuffed into the support arm but there was plenty of slack to retrieve and disconnect/reconnect it. Thankfully no corrosion issues to deal with but there was a lot of dirt inside the housing.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Nohurry · 06-11-2020, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the responses. This:

http://https://www.irv2.com/forums/f...se-276343.html

is why I Am a little hesitant to pull them off. I think I’ll do them on the rig.

Mark_K5LXP · 06-12-2020, 06:59 AM

I guess my take on it would be if it really was anchored in wood, I'd want to know what the integrity of that was. Just removing a screw and putting it back in wouldn't compromise a sound substrate. But since there's a potential for water to get in there I'd want to take it off and know for sure that the seal wasn't compromised and damage wasn't occurring. Take the pains to clean and reseal everything fresh and snug everything down right, then you know for sure there isn't a problem waiting in the wings. Better I think to work it that way than to discover it coming "loose" at some point and having to deal with a leak and rot. I have zero faith that anything in an RV was done right at the factory, or with any subsequent owner or shop repairs.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Bummer48 · 06-13-2020, 09:09 AM

What type of paint would a DIY'er use?

Mark_K5LXP · 06-14-2020, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bummer48

What type of paint would a DIY'er use?

Depends on your goal. Rattle can enamel from the box store will be pretty quick, inexpensive and will last a few years. Automotive paint will be more UV stable, durable and give you an automotive basecoat/clearcoat gloss and depth but is way more complex to apply. Another option is bumper cover paint which will be a very durable matt black.

Rustoleum and Krylon (and surely some others) offer paint specifically for plastic so if I were to go the rattle can route, these would be the products I would look at first.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM