The most important topic facing us today!
Thread Starter
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
The most important topic facing us today!
I am looking to paint my 08 mirrors but want some input. 
No...really...this is an important topic! Many lives will be impacted if planned poorly. I'm serious as a heart-attack man. 
Okay....so I'm painting my door handles here in a day or so to match the body color.
I'll have plenty of primer, paint and clear coat left over to do my mirrors or parts thereof. So here's my dilemma.
Should I paint just the tops like some higher-end trimmed SD's? (Too common? Easy to do.)
Should I paint the entire assembly to include the arms and door area? (Easy to do, more sanding prep, less masking. Might make the truck look like Dumbo)
Should I paint the tops, middle section and bottom part leaving it looking as if the arms extend all the way to the end and wrap around the lights? (One of a kind look! Intensive masking)
Should I leave them black and replace the top with the chrome cap found on the SD's w/the Chrome Package? (Not as common. Where do I get the cap? What do I use all the extra paint for?)
Should I leave them black? (...like everybody else)
Should I just leave well enough alone and donate the time I would've spent beautifying the (my) world and visit a third world country and feed the children? (Flying is too damned expensive right now. Some of those places stink of feces. Children could make me some shirts while I'm there.)
No...really...this is an important topic! Many lives will be impacted if planned poorly. I'm serious as a heart-attack man. Okay....so I'm painting my door handles here in a day or so to match the body color.
I'll have plenty of primer, paint and clear coat left over to do my mirrors or parts thereof. So here's my dilemma.
Should I paint just the tops like some higher-end trimmed SD's? (Too common? Easy to do.)
Should I paint the entire assembly to include the arms and door area? (Easy to do, more sanding prep, less masking. Might make the truck look like Dumbo)
Should I paint the tops, middle section and bottom part leaving it looking as if the arms extend all the way to the end and wrap around the lights? (One of a kind look! Intensive masking)
Should I leave them black and replace the top with the chrome cap found on the SD's w/the Chrome Package? (Not as common. Where do I get the cap? What do I use all the extra paint for?)
Should I leave them black? (...like everybody else)
Should I just leave well enough alone and donate the time I would've spent beautifying the (my) world and visit a third world country and feed the children? (Flying is too damned expensive right now. Some of those places stink of feces. Children could make me some shirts while I'm there.)
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
Ken,
If you want to dress those mirrors up, I'd recommend using the chrome but don't paint them. They're really sticking out in the windstream and you'd constantly be fixing chipped places in the paint.
Or you could just save your money to fuel that monster! I made the mistake of driving mine from Lexington, KY to Virginia Beach, VA last weekend without stopping for fuel. I got punished with a 39 gallon $177 fillup! And that was just one way! 17 mpg but geez!
If you want to dress those mirrors up, I'd recommend using the chrome but don't paint them. They're really sticking out in the windstream and you'd constantly be fixing chipped places in the paint.
Or you could just save your money to fuel that monster! I made the mistake of driving mine from Lexington, KY to Virginia Beach, VA last weekend without stopping for fuel. I got punished with a 39 gallon $177 fillup! And that was just one way! 17 mpg but geez!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 0
From: High Point, NC
I don't think those mirros look right on you X - you should removed them and mail them to me... I will dispose of the properly for you.
OK - so that didn't work...
I like the mirros left black... I'm not a crome fanatic and I think the 'painted to match' doesn't look that great; not bad, but not great. Purely my opinion.
OK - so that didn't work...
I like the mirros left black... I'm not a crome fanatic and I think the 'painted to match' doesn't look that great; not bad, but not great. Purely my opinion.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: New York
This is a critical issue and I see your dilemna. You may want to spend this Holiday weekend drinking beer, surfing, and pondering this so you don't make the wrong decision.
I, too, would take those mirrors off your hands and then eliminate this whole problem for you.
If you paint them, aren't they just going to chip? No matter how much you coat and clear coat, aren't you just creating a down the road continual maintenance issue? Door handles have always been a "crisis" on our vehicles too as it's me - her and 3 girls. Whatever rings and crap are on their fingers somehow always manage to drag along the vehicle handles and scratch them up - even with keyless entry. The black matte holds up better than any of our color coded ones ever have.
I vote for all black (as it is) but that's just me and I am definitely too lazy to take on that task.
Did you get the mirrors from the dealer? I don't have the power telescoping kind on my X now but have considered - is that any easy mod or since I don't have them impossible to add the old, or new style?
I, too, would take those mirrors off your hands and then eliminate this whole problem for you.
If you paint them, aren't they just going to chip? No matter how much you coat and clear coat, aren't you just creating a down the road continual maintenance issue? Door handles have always been a "crisis" on our vehicles too as it's me - her and 3 girls. Whatever rings and crap are on their fingers somehow always manage to drag along the vehicle handles and scratch them up - even with keyless entry. The black matte holds up better than any of our color coded ones ever have.
I vote for all black (as it is) but that's just me and I am definitely too lazy to take on that task.
Did you get the mirrors from the dealer? I don't have the power telescoping kind on my X now but have considered - is that any easy mod or since I don't have them impossible to add the old, or new style?
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I vote you remove both of them and install little cameras ... you could then advertise your "green" because of the mileage improvement due to less wind resistance ... It would almost look like a Prius at that point, and you could put a "My other car is an Excursion" bumper sticker on it to further confuse the mileage police .... might work?
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Maybe it's just me, but your Ex looks so sick with the black door handles and mirrors!!! They contrast perfectly with the silver paint! For the 1st time ever I would have to say leave your truck like it is. Don't do that mod!! I like the silver/black look way better than the washed out all silver look! That's just my .02 cents. Painting the handles and mirrors will look like all the rest
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
From: Montreal,Canada
Your rig looks awesome with some black accents.Before painting get one of free programs on the net,take a nice picture of your rig and play with colors allover your
truck.You can virtually see your truck with painted mirrors,running boards,wiper arms,handles,tires etc.
To bad Picasso didn't have access to it ,he would see what's that he's doing.LOL
truck.You can virtually see your truck with painted mirrors,running boards,wiper arms,handles,tires etc.
To bad Picasso didn't have access to it ,he would see what's that he's doing.LOL
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I wouldn't paint them the same color as the body, I like they way the black compliments the silver/gray, so I'd paint them a gloss black.
Stewart
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Thread Starter
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
That thought has crossed my mind more than once! just not sure what to do with the sail panel. I'm completely unskilled with fiberglass and I know something would have to be fabbed up.
Thread Starter
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Whodathunk I was in the company with so many pragmatic fellas...oh...I did.
The handles drive me crazy but I do see how they are less prone to scratches (like on my 2000) and they contrast nicely. Now I don't know what to do...
Not too worried about chips that high upon the mirrors. It's my front bumper top that gets a lot of chips. Maybe I should just use the paint to respray that instead.
The handles drive me crazy but I do see how they are less prone to scratches (like on my 2000) and they contrast nicely. Now I don't know what to do...
Not too worried about chips that high upon the mirrors. It's my front bumper top that gets a lot of chips. Maybe I should just use the paint to respray that instead.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
Should I paint the tops, middle section and bottom part leaving it looking as if the arms extend all the way to the end and wrap around the lights? (One of a kind look! Intensive masking)
As long as you are doing the work and not me.
As long as you are doing the work and not me.
although the camera idea could be very cool if done properly
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 634
Likes: 8
From: Southern Tier New York
Should I leave them black? (...like everybody else)
