Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

[Joe M.]

Anyone sent a mirror to Joyce Borrell (vendor listed in the Driveline) for restoration? If so, were you pleased with the results? What was the cost? I contacted them, but they are on vacation for 2 weeks.

[Donald H.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

Joe, I bought restored mirrors for my 60 from the Borrell's at Carlisle this past year. They look almost new to me. I traded my old exterior mirror, but didn't get much. So, their work look very good if you start with a very good core. For example, on my interior mirror, they didn't want it because the S logo stamp was not very good.

[Joe M.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

Donald, what did they charge for the restored exterior mirror?
Did they restore your exterior mirror or did you purchase a restored mirror?
Did you trade your old mirror to the Borrell's?

I planned to take my old exterior mirror to Kissimmee and see how little I could get for it.

[Donald H.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

Donald, what did they charge for the restored exterior mirror?
Did they restore your exterior mirror or did you purchase a restored mirror?
Did you trade your old mirror to the Borrell's?

I planned to take my old exterior mirror to Kissimmee and see how little I could get for it.

Sorry, but I don't remember what the cost of the restored exterior mirror was. I bought a restored interior and exterior mirror from them. I think the two mirrors together were somewhat North of $300, but less that $400, but I can't recall. Good thing was that I could pick through what they had and find the ones I wanted. They have a little different prices depending on the quality of the restored mirror, i.e., a perfect core will provide the best restoration and thus higher price. But none of them are cheap. I did trade an old exterior mirror to the Borrell's but I think they only gave me like $20 or $25 for it. It was a decent core, but not perfect.

Good Idea to take yours to Kissimmee with you. That is what I did. I found another guy that does mirrors, can't remember his name. I was going to look for him at Carlisle, but I ran across Borrell booth first.

[Joe M.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

I just looked at the Kissimmee vendor list and Joyce Borrell is signed up for Booth 608.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

Joe,

I dismantled my mirrors and had them rechromed by Paul's Plating. After I reassembled the mirrors I sent them to Joyce to have the mirror glass installed.

They came out fine.

Dennis

[Joe M.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

Dennis, I have several questions.
What did Paul's charge to replate the frame and the pedestal?
Were you able to remove your mirror glass intact? Or does it break when you extract it from the frame?
How is the pedestal removed from the mirror frame?
Does replating the mirror frame affect the visibility of "Guide Y-50" on the back side?
The original stamping on my mirror frame is lightly stamped and fine; unlike the repro mirror I currently have. I am a little concerned that new chrome might fill it in to some extent.

thank you for your time.

[John L.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

I would be very interested to know as well how to remove the rear view mirror glass from a 1954 unit. there is the slightest bevel on the glass that is held in place by what appears to be a "simple" crimping of the mirror back. Simple is in quotes since we all know those assumptions will many time lead to disaster.
John lanning

[Dennis C.]

Re: Guide Y-50 Mirror Restoration

Dennis, I have several questions.
What did Paul's charge to replate the frame and the pedestal?
Were you able to remove your mirror glass intact? Or does it break when you extract it from the frame?
How is the pedestal removed from the mirror frame?
Does replating the mirror frame affect the visibility of "Guide Y-50" on the back side?
The original stamping on my mirror frame is lightly stamped and fine; unlike the repro mirror I currently have. I am a little concerned that new chrome might fill it in to some extent.

thank you for your time.

Joe,

I don't recall the cost for replating the mirror and I am on my way to Kissimmee so I can't look it up right now. My existing mirror glass was not in great shape, but I did try to remove it in one piece. I trien soaking it in various solvents and came to the conclusion that it was crimped in place, so I broke it to get it off.

The round mirror glass holder is held in place by two rivets. You can see these on the back of the mirror case. I ground these off from the inside and Paul's made me up two plated rivet screws. The heads are shaped like what I took off, but they secure with a nut on the inside. The stud is then pressed in to the base. I left this in and Paul's removed it. When I was ready to reassembly, I made a crade to hold the base and pressed the assembly back together.

As for the engraving of the Guide Y-50 on the back, mine was very light. Paul's works with an engraver who can deepen the original engraving. All this takes is time and money. Actually, at the time I had this done, the engraver was backed up with work and it did add considerable time to the project. The new chrome will fill in the current engraving. You could let them give you an opinon on this.

I hope this helps.........

Dennis