Broken Side Mirror (Gen 2)

[Jack Soulfire]

My passenger side mirror got hit and it cracked and broke the plastic housing/shell. The actual mirror wasn't damaged and the motor works fine. Does anyone have any advice for fixing this without replacing the whole mirror assembly? I'm assuming replacing the whole motorized mirror could be expensive, and it's really only the outer part that's cracked.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[SteveSolara]

Theres really no repairing this. But you can try to find one at a junk yard, they are not too expensive.

[Black Bob]

In agreement with Steve, that housing is destroyed. Best scenario is checking the yards.

Side note: found out something new, you can buy the mirror separately from the housing but you can't by the housing without the mirror through alotta Toyota part websites. That's bull!

[SteveSolara]

Side note: found out something new, you can buy the mirror separately from the housing but you can't by the housing without the mirror through alotta Toyota part websites. That's bull!

Thats true

[SteveSolara]

Do you still have the broken pieces? Is it all small pieces or big? If you think you can super glue it back together and back on the side mirror, you can do that and sand down the glue until its flush and repaint the side mirror. (you have to take the mirror off before you do anything.)

[Jack Soulfire]

I tried to find the piece(s) where it happened but unfortunately I couldn't.

Are the rear view mirrors on the Solara the same as the Camry? I'm wondering if it might make the search easier. Also curious if the Camry has a same silver (Lunar Mist) colored model.

[SteveSolara]

I tried to find the piece(s) where it happened but unfortunately I couldn't.

Are the rear view mirrors on the Solara the same as the Camry? I'm wondering if it might make the search easier. Also curious if the Camry has a same silver (Lunar Mist) colored model.

I dont think so, the mounts are prob different, especially that your an '06 solara. But the color i am not too sure

[Black Bob]

The Solara and Camry are too completely different mirrors. I think this may be the cheapest route for you: http://www.carpartswholesale.com/v5/?N=0&sv=0&VN=4294967115+4294959021+4294958867+4294963589+4294966786&Ntt=Toyota&Nr=AND(universal:0)&ref=partfinder. Unfortunately I couldn't recommend any aftermarket spray paint, you'll have to experiment with that. Remember, the mirrors get roughed up just as much as the front bumper so the paint you decide on must have damn good adhesion.

I'd seriously weigh the cost between going this route and hoping for the best or just filing an insurance claim for quality and time sake.

[SteveSolara]

This is where i got my paint, when i painted my Right Fender when i got into an accident. I bought a new fender with black primer on it, so you had to sand that down before you do anything. Wet sanding preferably, 800 grit to 2000grit. These paint are the EXACT match, the most important is to find a VERY good Clear coat, not them autozone, pepboys one they suck, they dont hold very well and not as shiny.

[GzNutz]

http://www.lkqonline.com/custom/product_results.aspx?SessionID=e9f4621d-b693-49d7-afe8-462af25dc014&make=Toyota&model=Solara&partname=Mirror%20%20Door&part=128_DMR&year=2005

[Jack Soulfire]

That link is broken.

[SteveSolara]

Woops apparently my link didnt show up Here it is http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

[GzNutz]

That link is broken.

Sorry about that. I guess it timed out. Lkqonline has mirrors listed from $145-160 depending on condition. I didn't see any lunar mist metallic. For that price you might as well wait to find one in the correct color instead of having one painted.

[Black Bob]

Yeah, forgot to mention it--I found a few websites with pre-painted mirrors for your Solara but none are in Lunar Mist. Not sure if this is a triple stage/special process to get it to match (which would be YET another glitch). As far as price, I'm came across a few websites with unfinished mirrors averaging around $160, dealer markup can go as high as $350s. Yikes! I think I'll shut up now, I don't think I'm helping here.

[SteveSolara]

Yeah, forgot to mention it--I found a few websites with pre-painted mirrors for your Solara but none are in Lunar Mist. Not sure if this is a triple stage/special process to get it to match (which would be YET another glitch). As far as price, I'm came across a few websites with unfinished mirrors averaging around $160, dealer markup can go as high as $350s. Yikes! I think I'll shut up now, I don't think I'm helping here.

Any advice would help, but yeah the Lunar Mist paint if your gonna go buy it and paint on an unpainted mirror, it will be a Three stage paint ( Ground, Mid and the pearls, than Clear coat). So yeah you got many options here, so if your good at painting or not its prob gonna be about the same price if you buy it new with or without paint.