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Fitting door mirors: two questions.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:11 am
by JimK
Hi folks,
I'm planning to fit door mirrors to both cars, and it seems the best mirrors will require drilling to fit. So, how do you prevent rust starting around holes drilled in panels? It would seem very hard to get protection inside the holes where paint may have flaked off.

Alternatively, is it possible to attach mirrors to that little vaguely-triangular covering piece in front of the quarterlight? It seems to me that there is space inside that thing, so I could bolt through from the outside.

Ta.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:23 am
by alex_holden
If you really want to touch up the inside of the door skin after drilling the holes, you can get to the relevant area by removing the door card and the inside door handle.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:29 am
by JimK
All the car's metalwork is completely original, paint and everything, and I really want to do everything I can to preserve it. Fitting decent mirrors is worth drilling holes for, but I want to prevent rust if I can at all.

Thanks for the access tip. Both cars are 1000s so that should be good for both.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:00 pm
by markattard

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:00 pm
by Peetee
Alternatively, is it possible to attach mirrors to that little vaguely-triangular covering piece in front of the quarterlight?
Yes. Have a look at Joemog on Thursday.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:32 pm
by JimK
We have a clip-on mirror on the Trav, and it's not great. It's hard to get pointing in the right direction and can't turn enough to go on the nearside. Wifey doesn't like it, she says it's too close to her and she can't work out what it's showing. She wants two mirrors, and won't drive on the motorway until she gets them.

I have just ordered some of these,
Image

but I'll have a look at Joe on thursday (assuming I make it).

mirrors

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:10 pm
by Willie
JIM, I have one of those fitted to my door with no problems. I would have preferred to drill the 'triangle' which you mentioned but the mirror would not have been in the best place for me to have a good view. Be
careful when drilling and then drench the area/holes/and all metal bits with Waxoyl or similar prior to bolting it all up.

Re: mirrors

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:22 pm
by JimK
Willie wrote:JIM, I have one of those fitted to my door with no problems. I would have preferred to drill the 'triangle' which you mentioned but the mirror would not have been in the best place for me to have a good view.
Thanks Wille. Would you be able to take a photo showing where it's mounted?
Be careful when drilling and then drench the area/holes/and all metal bits with Waxoyl or similar prior to bolting it all up.
Thanks for the tip. A combination of some tape and a tiny mark from a punch should keep the drill bit where I want it.

mirror

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:41 pm
by Willie
JIM, here pics
Image
Image

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:18 pm
by JimK
Thanks, very instructive. My plan was to get an assistant to move it around while I sit in the seat, but it's good to know a rough location to start in.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:22 pm
by Dominic
I drilled the triangles when I fitted my mirrors, well, I drilled spares I had to leave the originals untouched in storage! I find them very conveniently placed, and a huge improvement in rearward visibility / safety.

Rear View

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:18 pm
by Willie
The optimum position is very dependent on how tall you are so take your
time in finding what suits you. You definitely need an assistant. If you can get a mirror with convex glass the field of view is nice and wide.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:15 pm
by jamesyt06
Willie where did you get the mirrors

mirror

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:07 am
by Willie
I bought it from a now defunct local trader but all types were available from Mr Grumpy up until quite recently so they are all still out there.
I would suggest Practical Classics magazine if one of our Minor specialists cannot supply them. The problem seems to be in finding other than flat glass.