Fixing drivers side mirror (03 Corolla LE)

[Sho'Nuff]

So I drive a 2003 corolla as a commuter vehicle. Today when I left work I was treated to a lovely surprise. Someone took out my driver's side mirror when they pulled forward out of their spot past my car. Rather than take it to a shop I want to fix it myself. Problem is all the replacement parts I can find are black only, whereas the mirror casings on my car are painted to match the body.

Any tips on how to remedy this without resorting to painting the replacement part? I suppose I might find a working painted mirror assembly at a junkyard, but I've never done that before and do not really know where to start. And I don't want to replace both mirrors because it will screw with the (albeit minimal) value of the car when it comes time to sell it (LE has paint matched mirrors. CE does not).

Any other options I'm missing?

 

[Knavish]

I've got the exact same problem except it is with the passenger side mirror on a Buick. I've even found a youtube video of a guy replacing the mirror. Like you, I can only buy grey or black mirrors, and the original was painted white.

I'm tempted to take the new mirror to a body shop and ask them how much it would be to paint it. One source I read said that some body shops could make a air-pressurized can of matching paint...I wonder how many body shops can do this.

I think I may try this online source (http://www.automotivetouchup.com/touch-up-paint/buypaint) for a 12 oz spray can ($20) and see how it works.

 

[pcgeek11]

Toyota can probably provide you with a painted unit. The down side is it will be very expensive. It would be cheaper to pay and get one painted at a local shop.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

ebay or car-part.com

 

[cbrsurfr]

It's an 11 year old car. Buy a rattle can of color matched paint and a can of clear. I did this on my old car when someone ripped the mirror off. Came out pretty decent for an amateur job.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I've got the exact same problem except it is with the passenger side mirror on a Buick. I've even found a youtube video of a guy replacing the mirror. Like you, I can only buy grey or black mirrors, and the original was painted white.

I'm tempted to take the new mirror to a body shop and ask them how much it would be to paint it. One source I read said that some body shops could make a air-pressurized can of matching paint...I wonder how many body shops can do this.

I think I may try this online source (http://www.automotivetouchup.com/touch-up-paint/buypaint) for a 12 oz spray can ($20) and see how it works.

Thanks. That is a good idea. Will try that too.

 

[Knavish]

It's an 11 year old car. Buy a rattle can of color matched paint and a can of clear. I did this on my old car when someone ripped the mirror off. Came out pretty decent for an amateur job.

I wonder what the spray can of touch-up paint I mentioned above will look like without the clear coat. I guess I might add some of this Dupli-Color Clear Coat, too. (Hopefully that link works...)
---edit---
The video link on this site shows the dupli-color guy using a cleaner spray (probably unnecessary on a new part, though an alcohol wash might be a good idea) and a primer before the color and clear coats.

 

[cbrsurfr]

It'll look flat and dull without any clear. I bought it from the same place you linked earlier, www.automotivetouchup.com I bought some aerosol as well as their small touch-up bottles.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Body shop will paint the mirror to match for $50. My Corolla came with black mirrors but I had them painted for $100/pair.