It seems painting your mirrors isn't too much more expensive than buying those plastic molded inserts. But what is the texture of your side mirrors like after painting? My body guy said that it wouldn't be smooth like the rest of the car - but still have the texture of the black plastic.

How does that look up close or did you sand it down smooth first?

 

Mine were primed and that got rid of the texture. They look good and despite all the "it'll chip" I've heard on this site, it has yet to happen. Wish I could say that for the factory paint job on the hood. In short, I think it makes more sense to get them painted then to have the half-way inserts stuck on.

BTW I ignored the "it'll chip" advice since the same could be said of the plastic bumper.

 

I had mine smoothed and painted. Its held up perfect. The paint looks like factory and no chips or anything else. I actually think it looks better than the inserts.

 

When the body shop painted mine, I was not happy with the texture. I told the owner and he gave it two more coats of paint. That did the trick. Smooth as the rest of the car.

 

I insisted mine have the texture removed...this was the most labor intensive mod...sand...body filler....more sanding...primer.....finish... clear cloat. It took about a week. My body guy wanted to the body filler to harden. The end result is fantastic...smooth as smooth can be..like gmichael no chipping.

 

Okay - so either sanding, priming, or tons of paint will do the trick. Cool. I just didn't think it would look right texturized next to the smoothness of the rest of the car. I think I'll definitely get them painted - you're right about the chipping - the "chips" in a Satin Silver front bumper show through to the black of the actual bumper too. Sure wish the plastic of the bumper was off-white or primer color - but that wouldn't do well for those of you with black or blue cars .

 

I was looking on one of the web stores I think Muscle Car Direct and one of the body kit manufacturers is coming out with body colour matched mirror assemblies. The design seems a little different (a touch sleeker) but just about as large. Not available yet but they looked pretty good.

 

The stock mirrors look like they belong on the Ranger, I'd like to see something a little smaller/sleeker in the stock colors.

 

The stock mirrors to look a bit large, but I LOVE them when I need to backup! After over a year, I am perfectly content with how the mirrors look just because they work so well.

 

Thanks for all the insights, guys! I went ahead and got them painted. Posting pics for others who are thinking about it...

 

what was the price?

 

They look great!

 

I still think the stock mirrors are too large, and painting them seems to make them stick out even more. Probably why Ford left them black, not as noticeable. Just my .02

 

Wished I could help here - it was free. He owed me some body work.