C3 - 1971 - Mirrors (interior & exterior)

[Greg F.]

The mirrors on my 71 small block are original. The exterior rear view has

A-AX-1 which is 1/71, correct? The chrome is good but I may want to improve it. Who do you recommend for chrome and can mirrors be done safely?

My interior mirror is not as good. The glass looks like it has a coffee stain on it and it's not very clear. I see that Paragon will refinish mirrors. What is recommended here. Should I try to get mine refinished or should I just buy a replacement? If so, where should I buy the replacement?

Thanks,
Greg

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 - 1971 - Mirrors (interior & exterior)

My opinion/recommendtion is to buy a new replacement for the exterior mirror. The later issue is a little larger mirror than the original. Don't remember the year of this change. Then just save the original exterior and install it for NCRS judging. With the expense of rechroming, its up to you if you still want to do that. The interior rear view mirror plate can be easily replaced. Forget the ladys name that a lot of persons recommend to use. Someone will post this. The newer style exterior mirror will fit on your current base. Be careful if you are going to remove the base to replace the gasket, those two retainer screws can be easily broken.

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 - 1971 - Mirrors (interior & exterior)

My opinion/recommendtion is to buy a new replacement for the exterior mirror. The later issue is a little larger mirror than the original. Don't remember the year of this change. Then just save the original exterior and install it for NCRS judging. With the expense of rechroming, its up to you if you still want to do that. The interior rear view mirror plate can be easily replaced. Forget the ladys name that a lot of persons recommend to use. Someone will post this. The newer style exterior mirror will fit on your current base. Be careful if you are going to remove the base to replace the gasket, those two retainer screws can be easily broken.

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 - 1971 - Mirrors (interior & exterior)

Paragon has the EXACT exterior mirror for your '71 (PN 2013 @ $60) and for $12 extra, they'll date code the mirror glass for you. There's no way you'll remove, disassemble, rechrome and reinstall your existing mirror for this... BTW, Paragon bought and owns the original tooling for these mirrors from Donnely Mirror who was one of the original suppliers to GM.

On the interior day/nite mirror, the reason the glass is turning yellow is prior owner(s) cleaned the glass with an ammonia based agent. That's what attacked the rear silvering. You don't need to send the mirror out to have it restored...do it yourself.

Paragon will sell you fresh glass for $40 (PN 2555). You simply crack/break your existing glass (hammer + look the other way to protect your eyes!) and remove the glass from the rubber surrounds. Lay down a fresh bead of glue (3M weatherstrip cement works fine) and pop the fresh glass in.

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 - 1971 - Mirrors (interior & exterior)

Paragon has the EXACT exterior mirror for your '71 (PN 2013 @ $60) and for $12 extra, they'll date code the mirror glass for you. There's no way you'll remove, disassemble, rechrome and reinstall your existing mirror for this... BTW, Paragon bought and owns the original tooling for these mirrors from Donnely Mirror who was one of the original suppliers to GM.

On the interior day/nite mirror, the reason the glass is turning yellow is prior owner(s) cleaned the glass with an ammonia based agent. That's what attacked the rear silvering. You don't need to send the mirror out to have it restored...do it yourself.

Paragon will sell you fresh glass for $40 (PN 2555). You simply crack/break your existing glass (hammer + look the other way to protect your eyes!) and remove the glass from the rubber surrounds. Lay down a fresh bead of glue (3M weatherstrip cement works fine) and pop the fresh glass in.

[Brad M.]

Re: C3 - 1971 - Mirrors (interior & exterior)

I went with a more difficult way on the external mirror. I soaked the head in gas to loosen the glass from the mirror, then had my mirror re-chromed locally. I have not put it back together yet.

[Brad M.]

Re: C3 - 1971 - Mirrors (interior & exterior)

I went with a more difficult way on the external mirror. I soaked the head in gas to loosen the glass from the mirror, then had my mirror re-chromed locally. I have not put it back together yet.

[Jack H.]

Lacquer thinner...

will also do a good job of dissolving the RTV compound that 'glues' the mirror glass to the mirror housing's internal glass support platforms. Simply soak the mirror head in lacquer thinner overnight and the glass should fall out easily.

Do NOT try to remove the mirror glass in an interior day/nite mirror this way! Lacquer thinner will attack and shrink the rubber surround that houses the mirror glass...

[Jack H.]

Lacquer thinner...

will also do a good job of dissolving the RTV compound that 'glues' the mirror glass to the mirror housing's internal glass support platforms. Simply soak the mirror head in lacquer thinner overnight and the glass should fall out easily.

Do NOT try to remove the mirror glass in an interior day/nite mirror this way! Lacquer thinner will attack and shrink the rubber surround that houses the mirror glass...