RP,

Good luck finding a place to paint the mirrors. If you do, let me know how you convinced them to do it and what the charged. I've gone to 6 places and everyone of them said no except 2. Of the 2 that said yes, one quoted $150 a mirror and the other said $100 a mirror. Both said they wouldn't warranty it, nor would they sand them smooth. I say a guy with them painted smooth today. If I see him parked in that parking lot again, I'll leave him a note with my email and phone and see if he can answer questions about it.

I'm going to replace the handles for the LT ones...but I don't have chrome.

I'm 50/50 on the panels b/c they are $150 and thats a lot for the panels.

In two weekends I'm going to sand down my mud flaps and paint them black.

In regards to the edging below the window, I'm thinking about trying to find some chrome to cover it. You know how they do on luxury cars? That type deal. That should help cover it from weathering and looking like faded crud.

Best of luck to ya, let me know what I can do to help. You've done a lot of mods and detail stuff to help me. I'd love to help you with your mods in return.

Duke

 

RP,
I think it would look good. I know I may get shot in the face for saying this, but here goes...

With respect to the mirrors, perhaps you could consider buying the chrome covers (from Putco) for them and have them painted glossy black. Sure, some of the matte black would be there, but I think the overall effect would be glossy. If you didn't like the way they come out / look on your truck, you could chuck them before you remove the backing off the 3M tape.

Might cause you to lose some $$$, but it might turn out OK.

Just my 2 cents...

Paul

 

RP I have almost exactly what your asking about...the only things is my LT handles still have the chrome pullers. I dont think the mirrors look bad flat black. The rubber molding running around the door is still flat black and matches fine with the mirrors. I would go with the gloss black pillars though...they might not be important on most trucks but they look great on a black one.

Here are a couple pics:

 

Hid - I'm with you - once I saw an '04 wiht the glossy B pillars - I'm like "what the heck was Ford thinking cheaping out on the '05's like that!! IMO - the $150.00 mod is peanuts compared with what I paid for the truck and well worth it for the next 4 - 6 years that I'll own the truck and think (every time I walk up to it) how nice the gloss B pillars look...especially on a black truck!!

Hey RP - have you considered the LT mirrors - I'll have to post pics of mine installed - but they look great and (of course you expect me to say this) but I don't regret spending the $$ on the mirrors and enjoy seeing them everytime I walk up to my truck.

 

RamSST (that's not a Dodge model is it .....you have one of the sweeeeeetest looking F-150's I've seen to date.....I'm telling ya though, the LT mirrors with the 1/2 chrome would look dynamite with the chrome handles you got going on there.....if my LT handles ever arrive - I'll post a pic of the combo as soon as I can install them!!

And (of course) I agree with you the glossy B pillars look awesome on any color F-150....but especially on the (fast) black ones

 

Hotlap, please post some pics of your LT mirrors. I'm looking into purchasing some but want to see what they look like before I do so. Thanks.

 

Well i personally think you should get your mirrors painted as i agree it would look so much better on your black truck. Especially if you are going to go through the hassle and expense of changing door handles and window trim.
Hope this helps you out.
Later Trev

 

hey RP try your dealer's p&b shop.they have factory paint stored on site,they don't have to order a min. of 1 pint just to paint you mirrors,i got the top half of my mirrors on the first truck for 40$ and it took only one day.26 hrs between drop off and pickup.

 

The mirrors will be fine big guy... if you paint them it's just one more place to get rock chips, and with your 'fear of the film' you'll be peeved when you get your first one. Leave the mirrors alone!

 

Thanks guys... You all have presented some interesting perspectives that I'm going to consider. I didn't have time to run by the P&B shop today after my dentist appointment (like I had planned) but, I'm going to try to do that soon.

RamSS... thanks for those pictures man. That really helps out. Rock chips are a definite issue so, I'm not so sure I want to go that route...

Lots of things for me to think about here guys. I really appreciate your opinions and insight.

RP

 

I agree. My truck is black and I like the contrast that all the flat black pieces add.

 

Hey RP,

What about having them covered with the 3M clear bra to protect the mirrors after having them painted?

I've had two other cars with painted mirrors before and the problem wouldn't be rocks flying up and causing chips, because that can happen all over the truck; but rather the paint not sticking to the plastic.

 

Yeah... I agree with the clear bra thing. Yet again though, more expense.

Dont' get me wrong, if I do it, I want to do it 100% right but, purse strings always play into a decision of this nature for me.

First things first... I need to get a couple of quotes on $$ for the prep and spray before I proceed much farther.

Thanks again guys...

RP

 

Lol! If by pursue strings you mean the wife then I can start to understand where you're coming from. My girlfriend is somehow starting to own my pocket book and what goes in and out of it...don't know how she does it, but she's good.

I actually got a quote of $229 to do the hood and fender flares with stuff similiar to 3M, the guy said it was stronger than that, it's made by Lumar. I'm thinking it wouldn't be much more to add the front bumper (not the chrome) and the mirrors.

Let me know about the quote you get for the mirrors. I'm thinking there have to be fiberglass covers out there somewhere that cover the mirror and where it attaches with a smooth painted surface. hmmm.....

 

LOL... yep... purse strings = wife. LOL! I was hoping that someone would read that into the comment... HA!