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How Do You Install Chrome Top Mirror Caps

DEANEDWARDS

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DEANEDWARDS Enthusiast

DEANEDWARDS

Posted
Posted

I just bought some of the putco chrome mirror cap replacements for my 09 GMC these donot stick on with tape and came with no instructions can someone help with this they said to use a screw driver and pry the top loose from the tabs but the plastic tends to look like crap so I jst thought I would ask if anyone has found a better way to do this.

 

Thanks

Major_Kong Enthusiast

Major_Kong

Posted
Posted

If these caps are like the factory caps, then yes, you will need to use a screwdriver to pry the cover off. From what I remember, there should be three tabs that hold the caps in place. I was impatient and broke these tabs when I removed my mirror caps. It really didn't bother me because I was never going to put the black caps back on again.

 

If you're never going to use the original caps again, then I would just pry them off and not worry about the tabs.

compulynx Enthusiast

compulynx

Posted
Posted

NO SCREWDRIVER! You will mark up things. Just go to the inside(towards window) area of the cap, and use your fingers (friction) to pull the top cap to the front of the vehicle. They will usually come right off. I have had a stubborn one or so, but just keep working it, it will come off. It also helps if you are in a heated garage to warm up the plastic.

 

C

DEANEDWARDS Enthusiast

DEANEDWARDS

Posted
  • Author
Posted
NO SCREWDRIVER! You will mark up things. Just go to the inside(towards window) area of the cap, and use your fingers (friction) to pull the top cap to the front of the vehicle. They will usually come right off. I have had a stubborn one or so, but just keep working it, it will come off. It also helps if you are in a heated garage to warm up the plastic.

 

C

That is what I tried to do but I got two stubborn one I think you are correct about the warmer garage I am going to wait until it is not -9 outside and then try thanks for all the info.

compulynx Enthusiast

compulynx

Posted
Posted
NO SCREWDRIVER! You will mark up things. Just go to the inside(towards window) area of the cap, and use your fingers (friction) to pull the top cap to the front of the vehicle. They will usually come right off. I have had a stubborn one or so, but just keep working it, it will come off. It also helps if you are in a heated garage to warm up the plastic.

 

C

That is what I tried to do but I got two stubborn one I think you are correct about the warmer garage I am going to wait until it is not -9 outside and then try thanks for all the info.

 

 

At -9 I can assure you you will probably break something.

 

C

VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
Posted

I recommend taking the entire rear housing off (top and bottom cap, it pops off pretty easily) and then removing top cap. This is how I did mine twice and I have not broken any tabs.

DEANEDWARDS Enthusiast

DEANEDWARDS

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I recommend taking the entire rear housing off (top and bottom cap, it pops off pretty easily) and then removing top cap. This is how I did mine twice and I have not broken any tabs.

How does the bottom come off?

VMax2007 Senior Enthusiast

VMax2007

Posted
Posted
I recommend taking the entire rear housing off (top and bottom cap, it pops off pretty easily) and then removing top cap. This is how I did mine twice and I have not broken any tabs.

How does the bottom come off?

 

 

PM sent, but I will post it here in case others are wondering:

 

Warm it up first, so the plastic is not brittle. Then use some force, it will pop loose, then you can work your way around and pop the tabs loose and the entire thing will come off. The top cap has much tighter tabs and should be accessed from inside to release.

 

My experience:

 

I bought some Putco complete chrome covers that went over the OEM covers, it stuck on with double-sided tape. When I got them on, I realized there was a corner on the inside/bottom that interfered when they folded in, so I had to remove them to dremel the corner off. The tape was too strong, so while trying to free it, the entire housing popped loose. I then just dremeled the corner and put the housing back on. I did the same thing on both sides.

 

Then about a year later, I decided I did not like them anymore and wanted to go back to my stock painted ones. For fear of ruining the OEM painted top covers underneath, I bought some new ones. Well, I popped the rear housings off again and removed the chrome covers on the workbench, luckily, I was able to do so without ruining the painted ones. So, now I have a spare set of painted covers for when the original ones get beat up from road debris.

 

Each side has been off twice this way with no broken tabs. Once you see the tabs for the upper cap, you will see what I mean. Good luck, let me know how it goes.

DEANEDWARDS Enthusiast

DEANEDWARDS

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I recommend taking the entire rear housing off (top and bottom cap, it pops off pretty easily) and then removing top cap. This is how I did mine twice and I have not broken any tabs.

How does the bottom come off?

 

 

PM sent, but I will post it here in case others are wondering:

 

Warm it up first, so the plastic is not brittle. Then use some force, it will pop loose, then you can work your way around and pop the tabs loose and the entire thing will come off. The top cap has much tighter tabs and should be accessed from inside to release.

 

My experience:

 

I bought some Putco complete chrome covers that went over the OEM covers, it stuck on with double-sided tape. When I got them on, I realized there was a corner on the inside/bottom that interfered when they folded in, so I had to remove them to dremel the corner off. The tape was too strong, so while trying to free it, the entire housing popped loose. I then just dremeled the corner and put the housing back on. I did the same thing on both sides.

 

Then about a year later, I decided I did not like them anymore and wanted to go back to my stock painted ones. For fear of ruining the OEM painted top covers underneath, I bought some new ones. Well, I popped the rear housings off again and removed the chrome covers on the workbench, luckily, I was able to do so without ruining the painted ones. So, now I have a spare set of painted covers for when the original ones get beat up from road debris.

 

Each side has been off twice this way with no broken tabs. Once you see the tabs for the upper cap, you will see what I mean. Good luck, let me know how it goes.

 

Did what Jeff said and took off top and bottom had them both off and back on in less than 30 minutes. Thanks Jeff!

  • 1 month later...
2016 Sierra Owner Senior Enthusiast

2016 Sierra Owner

Posted
Posted

Hello Jeff, I also want to thank you for the tip. I removed mine top and bottom and installed the color coded ones in about 10 minutes. I found that if you fold the mirror back and grab it at the split (front to back) it comes right off no tools needed. The tabs on the cheap plastic top cover will break off very easily especially the inner tab nearest the cab. ooppss

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