Rear View Mirror Arm Refinishing?

[cericd]

So, I've searched the forum but I can't seen to find a definitive answer.

I've got this rear view mirror arm for my 70 C10 and it's kinda pitted. I looked into a repro piece but they all seem to be chrome. I'd prefer the painted silver finish like the original. I see people online talking about stripping the piece, drilling out each pit to remove all oxidized metal and then filling with a special solder and refinishing. I'm wondering if I strip it, primer, paint or powdercoat, will the pitting just come right back? Also, does anyone have the original GM P/N for the arm or a source for a repro that isn't chrome?

Here are a couple pics of the part.





Thanks

[cericd]

Any ideas?

[FirstOwner69]

Why not just sand it, smear a little bondo over the entire arm to fill any remainder of the pits, sand again, then primer and paint. Could be worth a try.

[Mister-B]

I don't know that you'll be able to get rid of that pitting very easily, but you can always find one in perfect shape a the junk yard, that's original. I did last week for about 3 bucks


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[cericd]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Hey MisterB, when I was looking for info on how to refurb my mirror I ran across your post about you adding yours. I wish I could find parts like that around here in Houston TX. Every time I go to a yard looking for parts 67-72 trucks, they look at me like I'm looking for dinosaur fossils. Congrats on the nice find.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by cericd

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Hey MisterB, when I was looking for info on how to refurb my mirror I ran across your post about you adding yours. I wish I could find parts like that around here in Houston TX. Every time I go to a yard looking for parts 67-72 trucks, they look at me like I'm looking for dinosaur fossils. Congrats on the nice find.

Sorry to hear that. I spent a day going to a half dozen or so yards, and I got that same response. Luckily I have two good ones that have a lot of parts.

I was just there today, and bought an original front bumper. There's a mirror arm on a gmc that looks like ours. I'll have to take a closer look at it next time I'm there. If its good, do you want me to buy it and ship it to you? Just PayPal me for the actual cost of the arm plus shipping
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[cericd]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Sorry to hear that. I spent a day going to a half dozen or so yards, and I got that same response. Luckily I have two good ones that have a lot of parts.

I was just there today, and bought an original front bumper. There's a mirror arm on a gmc that looks like ours. I'll have to take a closer look at it next time I'm there. If its good, do you want me to buy it and ship it to you? Just PayPal me for the actual cost of the arm plus shipping
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Sure! Sounds good to me. Thanks

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by cericd

Sure! Sounds good to me. Thanks

I'll bet it does lol
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[Ol Blue K20]

How about bead blasting it? That should remove the oxidation then sevveral coats of primer then sand and paint. It should last a long time
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[Spartan]

Really it depends on your tastes. I cleaned and wiped mine down then used "boeshield" to arrest further oxidation. It's still clearly pitted but it functions. Due to my budget I tell people my truck is in various stages of suspended decay.

My brother sanded,filled,and painted his and it looks decent (76 formula 400) FWIW.
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[Mister-B]

Ok man. It's your lucky day. I found one for you. No pitting or rust. Looks like new. Respond to my pm with your shipping info

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[AustinScott]

Originally Posted by mister-b

ok man. It's your lucky day. I found one for you. No pitting or rust. Looks like new. Respond to my pm with your shipping info

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Now that right there is proof... why this place is so great......... I'm sending in my $25.00 right now!

[cericd]

Yep. There are some helpful folks on here and Mister-B is certainly one of them.
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[schurg]

just some thoughts on the original question, if anyone is still interested. I've done a few pot metal parts and I'd say yes, bead blasting, spot filling, and going with some good primer (maybe polyester if pitting is bad enough) and painting would do just fine. I've also had luck powdercoating pot metal as well, but a trick I learned (the hard way) is to heat your part up to temperature first, then shoot your powder on it, and put back in the oven. the metal is porous and when it's heated all the air expands, so if the powder goes on cold and is heated it ends up with acne

[cericd]

Great info schurg!