Mirror Corrosion

Dex4 · May 19, 2009

So my corrosion on my mirror was getting really bad. Cost is way too high to replace and I am out of warranty, so I decided to fix.

What needed:
Painters Tape (Blue)
Plastic Bag
T-30 torx bit
flat head screwdriver
220 & 320 sandpaper
Black Flat spray paint (I used rustoleum)
Black primer ( I didn't use, but I would recommend. This also helps fill some of the little holes left from the corrosion.)

Started by pulling off the door panel.

1. Removed the handle trim to access and remove the two bolts behind it.
2. Pop off door panel starting from the bottom outside corner and lift off.
3. Unplug all electrical connectors should be 3 or 4 and remove door handle cable.
4. Pull down and out to remove the mirror control panel.
5. Remove connector to mirror (circled in blue)
6. Remove plastic plug/clip (circled in yellow) using a small flat head screwdriver or a pick.
7. Use a T-30 torx bit to remove the 3 bolts (circled in pink) holding on the mirror. Hold mirror while unbolting the last bolt to prevent from falling.
8. Remove rubber/foam gasket.
9. Start removing the corrosion. I started with a flat head screwdriver to take off all loose corrosion and the started sanding with 220 and finished with 320.
10. Once all the corrosion was removed, Made sure all surfaces were scuffed with 320 and cleaned off with soap and water.
11. Pop plastic piece off the mirror that sits on the under side of it.
12. Wrap mirror in plastic and tape off to protect.
13. I painted on about 4 coats and waited to dry. (Follow directions for applying coats)
14. Clean rubber gasket with water and soap.
15. Put back together and install.

Now the pictures.
Terrible corrosion.

Connectors and bolts that need to be removed.

After sanding.

Finished Product.

On the car.

Goodluck

Dave 37 · May 19, 2009

Worthy of a sticky!

What's shocking is that the car has corrosion but is only a 2003 model. Saabs are supposed to be impervious to corrosion! (Why, the first ever instance of corrosion in a classic 900 did not occur until 2007!:cheesy: and I used to walk to school in the snow barefoot....and uphill....both ways)

Dex4 · May 22, 2009

I think the corrosion was a defect from the manufacture, but they will never admit it. I will be doing the other side this weekend.

Vectorized · May 24, 2009

Thank you! I will do this as well. Both of my mirrors have corroded badly. Will this also work on the handles? If the panels are off I might as well do everything.

Rennsport1 · May 24, 2009

Dang, how can I prevent this ? Nice job, thanks for posting Dex4.

Dex4 · May 24, 2009

I don't think you will need to worry about it. As most people that have been getting this problem is from the 03 or 04 models.

Vector-SS · May 24, 2009

Oh wow, Dex, your on a roll.

My 03 had the same corrosion going on in the same exact place!

Definitely worthy of a sticky.

xlogic · May 29, 2009

This is a great DYI .... I have corrosion on both my mirrors.
Can you please tell me the exact spray that you used ?
is this the one ? http://doitbest.com/Spray+Paint-Rust+Oleum-model-1976-830-doitbest-sku-776963.dib

Thank You and great job

Dex4 · May 29, 2009

I will have to take a pic when I get home, but it is a mostly white can with some red decal and yellow lettering.

xlogic · May 30, 2009

I would appreciate some pictures with the spray.

Thank you

Dex4 · May 30, 2009

Here is the spray paint I used. I would recommend using a primer, as you can sand smooth the primer, because the corrosion will leave some small divits in the metal.

Swink · Sep 28, 2009

Thanks!

I just noticed this issue on my '05. At first it looked whitish so I thought is was a soap stain, but looking closer I see the paint has come off and there's rust.

cleveland_saab · Nov 6, 2009

Good write-up. I used to have a Jeep, and the mirrors on those are notorious for rusting (just look at the next Jeep that you pass). I went through a similar exercise with the same materials (Rustoleum) and similarly great results.

04_maine aero · Nov 6, 2009

great write up, i have the same problem with my drivers side mirror

i guess i know what i'll be doing this weekend

Jonathan93 · Nov 8, 2009

I used Black Avery wrap, for my corrosion problem, it is the same material that is used to print logos on cars and trucks. It was easy and quick!

BF2009 · Feb 10, 2010

This is great. I have the same problem. DO you have any tips on getting the door panels off before beginning the rest. That would be a great help.
Thanks

skeptikz · Dec 31, 2013

I am experiencing exactly the same problem. I even found a video tutorial on removing the door panels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl67gaIPDwE

The thing is I just can't remove one of the clips - the top right on the inside... Tried pretty much everything. Anyone got any tips?

BF2009 · Feb 20, 2010

Can someone tell me what they mean by removing the door handle trim and how to do this? I would like to get this started but can't seem to get the panels to come off. I'd appreciate some help, photo's?

glowing626 · Mar 12, 2010

I've done this today.. hehe... stupid corrosion..lol
the harder part for me was to remove the door panel.. was my first experience on this and dont want to break the clips..
Now my mirror are nice!!! better then oem with my paint... match more with the mirror hehe

I had a problem with my mirror glass... was loose.. so take it off and glue it ... look fine now

I wont post pics.. its the same things as the other one!!

you have to pull the door handle trim.. the thing where you put your hand to close the door (where the window button are..)

MECbuckeyes · Mar 23, 2010

Nice

I did this a couple days ago. Despite being a perfectionist whose gut will somehow allow him to think that a 7 year old part can look brand new, I can muster this out.... it looks good.

Used Rustoleum primer and flat black paint.

dbuono14 · Mar 24, 2010

Sorry but I had to laugh when I read this thread because you guys are worried about a little corrosion...

I have some serious problems....I noticed my mirror was vibrating more than usual while driving the other day. Instead of pulling over to check it out I had a flashback of highschool of how my mirrors used to look when the bass hit and ten seconds later my mirror flew off

Cinderella's famous "Don't know what you got till it's gone" hasn't popped into my head in years but that was the first thing I thought of

Man is it tough driving without that mirror!

Gs04aero · Mar 24, 2010

Well when the corrosion makes the car look worse people want to get rid of it. Maybe you're not as concerned with the visuals of your car. But it does suck to not have the mirror all together.

dbuono14 · Mar 24, 2010

Gs04aero:

I wouldn't be a member of this forum if I didn't care about my car...

I was just trying to shed a little humor onto an already excellent post.

Sorry if my comment offended anyone

watercooled · Jan 22, 2011

great guide done mine today
never took the door card fully off didnt have to.

Dan19_82 · Apr 9, 2020

watercooled said:
great guide done mine today
never took the door card fully off didnt have to.

Thread revival. As old as this is my 04 saab suffers from this.
I am wondering if I'm being lazy in thinking it could be sprayed in situe. With carefully placed and taped paper. After rubbing this down I thought I could maybe spray it matt back without removing it..
Am I mad?

tbully · Mar 20, 2012

Digging up an old post but better than starting a new one?

Anyway, has anyone tried to remove the painted housing that holds the mirror from the piece that is corroded? Reason I ask is I have a sand blaster that would probably do a quicker and more complete job than scraping and sand paper.

Just curious before I dive in to this project......

Thanks! Great write-up!

larrytrk · Mar 20, 2012

Informative post, I would suggest POR15 instead of Rustoleum, based on my constantly rusting 87 Vanagon Camper. Fantastic product, coats with a bond to rust and sands well. I never had a recurrence of rust when I used it, not so with Rustoleum.

tbully · Mar 20, 2012

I'm considering using Plasti Dip but don't know how tough it'll be to separate the two pieces first.

Hockeytown-93 · Aug 3, 2012

I plan to do this this weekend and use the Plasti-Dip. Did you ever try to seperate them?

CrackerJack469 · Apr 11, 2012

I have a similar problem, but the part that was losing paint isn't the problem. My mirror itself has zero paint left on it. I was wondering if the steps I would have to take would be similar. I guess the main difference would be buying a spray can of paint to match the car and clearcoat. Any ideas?

What I am thinking to use:
http://www.expresspaint.com/automotivetouchup/pc/SAAB-Black-B-C-39p4519.htm

http://www.expresspaint.com/automotivetouchup/pc/11-oz-Aerosol-Clearcoat-2p6416.htm

brynjarsa · Aug 3, 2012

The mirror consists of thre parts, the aluminium part ( that doesn't rust but corrode), the black frame around the mirror itself and the mirror housing, often colourcoded. You will have to pop out the mirror to separate the frame from the housing, it's a real pain and takes a bit of twisting and swearing and you need to keep your cool not to snap plasticparts here and there

So you will get a little more room removing all the plastic, but the folding sceleton part so to speak, will always be attached to the corroding base.
If that made any sense at all

And I think matt paint is more durable than plasti dip.

Hockeytown-93 · Aug 6, 2012

Thanks. I'm planning on doing some plasti-dip on multiple surfaces (inside/outside) so I might do a coat of protection followed by the pd. I didn't get it done this weekend as we had rain during all the times when I had time. Figures.

Mirror Corrosion

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