Hi there,
I somehow managed to scratch the glass on my right side mirror. I probably picked something up with the wash glove and put a two inch long scratches across the glass. I looked to see if there is an OEM replacement with no success. Luckily there are no other scratches anywhere else so I am super relieved about that. 
If anybody is going to ask, I rinse the bike prior to soaping, use 3 different wash gloves, 2 buckets, change the water at least once during the wash and have a pickup plate in the bottom of my wash bucket to prevent dirt getting on my gloves. Has anybody come across a way to replace the glass on a mirror? Is there a way to remove the scratches with 2000-3000 wet sandpaper (not sure)? Every time I check my mirror while riding I ask myself how I F'd -up

cheers

If you can source an "Old School" glass shop/glazier they can probably best advise you after seeing the damage. Good luck!

Interesting problem ... and sorry hear of this scratch.

(03-31-2024, 07:45 PM)NormR Wrote: ...
If anybody is going to ask, I rinse the bike prior to soaping, use 3 different wash gloves, 2 buckets, change the water at least once during the wash and have a pickup plate in the bottom of my wash bucket to prevent dirt getting on my gloves. Has anybody come across a way to replace the glass on a mirror?
...

While I am aware of the 2-bucket method, and with all the excellent steps you take for proper washing, I don't do any of that when I hand wash the bike. I use the same sponge/mitt that is kept clean, one bucket, one bucketful of wash water and no pickup plate. I also have no scratches from the washing operation and certainly none that would scratch glass.

That said I can't see how a bit of grit on the wash mitt would impart such scratches on the glass. Glass is very hard, and if it did not scratch the soft plastic parts of the bike then it was probably not a gritty wash mitt that scratched your mirror.

Any chance of a proper close-up photo to show this scratch on the mirror?

(03-31-2024, 07:45 PM)NormR Wrote: Is there a way to remove the scratches with 2000-3000 wet sandpaper (not sure)?

Doubt that would work since the grit in the sandpaper is probably similar hardness to the glass and with that size of grit you'd probably not make any headway. My suggestion is (if the scratch is worth US$215.94 / MAX BMW parts fiche) to replace the mirror, after giving the sandpaper a try (you never know).

(04-01-2024, 05:29 AM)Motorhead1977 Wrote: If you can source an "Old School" glass shop/glazier they can probably best advise you after seeing the damage. Good luck!

Good tip.

Here's a used one for $99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134791710127?fi...R_LRhqHTYw

Here's another used one for $42
I think the raw edge is part of the mount which can be removed??
https://www.ebay.com/itm/145655385326?it...R_LRhqHTYw



Here's pictures of my spare mirror.
   

   

   

I don't think that I would use sandpaper as it might leave additional scratches, what about using a mirror polish paste or maybe something like semi-chrome polish? Have you thought about calling a business that sells mirrors for houses to ask?

I agree with the glass shop idea. I'd look for a mom and pop as opposed to Binswanger, etc. Material cost should be low, as they can probably use a drop from another job. It's not a straight cut, but any glazier should be able to do this.


*worked in a glass shop a million years ago.

I have found many new mirrors are not glass but a plastic of some type

(04-02-2024, 07:07 PM)c10 Wrote: I have found many new mirrors are not glass but a plastic of some type

I've heard that before but have never been able to confirm it.......

(03-31-2024, 07:45 PM)NormR Wrote: Hi there,
I somehow managed to scratch the glass on my right side mirror. I probably picked something up with the wash glove and put a two inch long scratches across the glass. I looked to see if there is an OEM replacement with no success. Luckily there are no other scratches anywhere else so I am super relieved about that. ...

Just take the mirror to a glass / mirror shop and get them to cut you a new one - i got one for my R1100s for about $15 NZ,,,,easy

(08-07-2024, 01:59 AM)grantm Wrote:

(03-31-2024, 07:45 PM)NormR Wrote: Hi there,
I somehow managed to scratch the glass on my right side mirror. I probably picked something up with the wash glove and put a two inch long scratches across the glass. I looked to see if there is an OEM replacement with no success. Luckily there are no other scratches anywhere else so I am super relieved about that. ...

Just take the mirror to a glass / mirror shop and get them to cut you a new one - i got one for my R1100s for about $15 NZ,,,,easy

How is the mirror held in the housing?

(08-07-2024, 07:47 AM)Lee Wrote: How is the mirror held in the housing?

I'm not sure but its meant to be permanent so I guess its some type of adhesive. So far, I've been living with the scratch and will just replace the mirror down the road