how to take apart a 67 GTX side view mirror to get chromed

[Michael Maresca]

Good Morning All!

i need to get my original sideview mirror rechromed. Has mild pitting that i cannot get rid of. Does anyone know how to get the mirror out of the casing? i took it apart the best I could.

 

[69bfan]

Personally, I feel that it may be a better decision to search out a NOS mirror or purchase one of the reproduction mirrors. The mirrors are made of a pot metal material. Once you place the mirror into the solution to remove the current plating, all of those pits and specks of oxidation will only become larger and more apparent. Then it comes a major job of drilling out the cavity, filling it with new material, grinding and polishing to match the lines of the profile prior to starting the chroming process. This gets very expensive and most shops will not warranty any pot metal restoration due to the characteristics of the material.

For the reproductions that are available, they are all pretty much in line with each other as to correctness and operation. Just search out your favorite vendor and see what they can offer you. I have seen some very nice used ones come available, but those are bringing as much as a new reproduction sells for.

 

[68BabyBlue]

The previous owner of my GTX put the original date coded glass in new reproduction housings. The decent, but peppered originals came with the car.

He was a former partner in a trim restoration business, and replaced the rear pot metal pieces with restored originals. Pricey stuff, was selling a pair of bezels for $1800 two decades ago.

 

[Michael Maresca]

The previous owner of my GTX put the original date coded glass in new reproduction housings. The decent, but peppered originals came with the car.

He was a former partner in a trim restoration business, and replaced the rear pot metal pieces with restored originals. Pricey stuff, was selling a pair of bezels for $1800 two decades ago.

Mine really aren't that bad, i would say they are 7-10 footers. But everything on the car is either NOS new or reconditioned original. so I will just keep mine for now and continue to look for either NOS or really nice ones. Def won't pay 1800 for them unless they are NOS.

 

[Davefinan]

To remove cable from control knob,
Transfer cable color to socket slot before anything.
Move adjuster knob to take tension off of one of the cables.
With long nose pliers, pull the end of the cable ferrule out of the slot.
Repeat for the other two.
You’re good to go.

I’ve always re plated the originals, never a problem.
They were also in decent condition though

 

[Michael Maresca]

To remove cable from control knob,
Transfer cable color to socket slot before anything.
Move adjuster knob to take tension off of one of the cables.
With long nose pliers, pull the end of the cable ferrule out of the slot.
Repeat for the other two.
You’re good to go.

I’ve always re plated the originals, never a problem.
They were also in decent condition though

Good Morning Dave! Thank you for that info. That is what I tried to do. I can pull the cable out of the slot, but then it appears that some of the metal is stopping the end from pulling off near the base of the control knob. look at pic to see right below the threads where the cable head is. I will try to clean possible smeared metal in the way and clean better.

 

[Michael Maresca]

Dave, The sleeve that holds the cable end near the base of the thread is closed in so you cannot get the cable out. How did you get it out?

 

[Davefinan]

The sleeve , I believe , is a lead material. You have e to pry it open with a thin blade screwdriver.

 

[69L48Z27]

I did mine, 67 R/T. You have to pry the crimped fingers out on the adjuster. Be very careful, these were never meant to be serviced. I ended up putting some epoxy on the fingers when it all went back together. Mirror turned out great, I’m just afraid to adjust it using the stick.

 

[69L48Z27]

Found pics