Mirror replacement

superheat6k

superheat6k

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The original heads mirrors on my 1991 Corvette were starting to loose there silvering around the edges.

I found a chap on Ebay who offered laser cut acrylic mirrors to the precise profile of the original heads mirrors and just £19 each including delivery.

Ok you have to be careful not to be aggressive when cleaning, but they don't steam up like cold glass, and acrylic is many times more resistant to breakage than glass, and a lot lighter too.

Details here for anyone looking for like for like replacements:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252349935...49&var=551195306481&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 
I've got acrylic mirror out of a scrap bin. Why can't I cut it gently with an angle grinder/cutting disc or perhaps a multi-function tool? I would be very careful not to get it too hot (of course a laser cutter would get it hot anyway) Perhaps a tile cutter might be the way to go?
 
Put some paint tape on the cutting line, and cover the main surface of the mirror. Use a jigsaw with a Bosch plastic cutting blade. Make sure that at least 3 teeth are engaged in the work piece - you may have to angle the blade to achieve this. Clamp the acrylic so that it doesn't vibrate up and down.
 
coopec said:
I've got acrylic mirror out of a scrap bin. Why can't I cut it gently with an angle grinder/cutting disc or perhaps a multi-function tool? I would be very careful not to get it too hot (of course a laser cutter would get it hot anyway) Perhaps a tile cutter might be the way to go?
Click to expand...

If well supported near the cut line (sandwiched for thin stuff), it can be sawn: jig-saw or band saw. As you suggest, take it slowly to avoid heat build-up which introduces stresses.
 
When I first had my boat in 2006 I broke a mirror in the heads. Its on a hinged flap and dropped down onto the mixer tap. It had a hole in it for a door catch, and two rounded corners, so getting a glass replacement was going to be hard. I found a UK supplier of acrylic mirror sheet and cut it to shape myself, and its still perfect 10 years later. I actually bought enough of the mirror sheet to do the one in the other heads as well, but that one is still original.
 
superheat6k said:
The original heads mirrors on my 1991 Corvette were starting to loose there silvering around the edges.

I found a chap on Ebay who offered laser cut acrylic mirrors to the precise profile of the original heads mirrors and just £19 each including delivery.

Ok you have to be careful not to be aggressive when cleaning, but they don't steam up like cold glass, and acrylic is many times more resistant to breakage than glass, and a lot lighter too.

Details here for anyone looking for like for like replacements:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252349935...49&var=551195306481&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Click to expand...

Just not true and what the eBay seller is claiming is rubbish. Mirrored acrylic shatters very easily when hit. I'm not even sure the supplier even knows what he is selling as he is claiming to sell shatterproof Perspex acrylic. Perspex do not manufacture 'shatterproof acrylic' mirrored or otherwise.

What you do want is mirrored polycarbonate. This is the stuff fitted in prisons and other such places for very obvious reasons.

Caveat emptor.

Regards
Donald
 
Aja said:
Just not true and what the eBay seller is claiming is rubbish. Mirrored acrylic shatters very easily when hit. I'm not even sure the supplier even knows what he is selling as he is claiming to sell shatterproof Perspex acrylic. Perspex do not manufacture 'shatterproof acrylic' mirrored or otherwise.

What you do want is mirrored polycarbonate. This is the stuff fitted in prisons and other such places for very obvious reasons.

Caveat emptor.

Regards
Donald
Click to expand...
I installed the new ones yesterday, and they were supplied with soft pads to stick on the back and protected screws and covers. I suppose I could end up thumping one with my toothbrush, but not sure they need to be protected from violent attack now they are up and secure.

They look great and have been very precisely cut.
 
nigelmercier said:
Nothing else is sensible on a boat, and plenty of acrylic mirror suppliers on eBay.
Click to expand...

Hmm. My 2001 boat came with a large glass mirror on the side of the heads bulkhead and two plastic (no idea which flavour) ones on the heads cabinet doors. The plastic ones had gone manky and grey/green and never were perfectly flat either. I've thrown them out, as they were at a silly height anyways and filled in the screw holes. The glass mirror is in great condition, apart from one over-tightened screw having caused a small crack in a corner.
 
coopec said:
I've got acrylic mirror out of a scrap bin. Why can't I cut it gently with an angle grinder/cutting disc or perhaps a multi-function tool? I would be very careful not to get it too hot (of course a laser cutter would get it hot anyway) Perhaps a tile cutter might be the way to go?
Click to expand...

I cut acrylic on my wood circular saw with a fine tooth blade.

To reduce chipping put masking take on both sides across the cut.
 
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