Jump to content

Melting Mirrors

TomC

Recommended Posts

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted
that is very strange, but is possible with those mirrors. Looks from the pics that it is just the mirror cap, i wiould just order new caps, hell you can get color matched caps for $60 then i would park somewhere else. but yea, im sorry that kind of crap just sucks

 

Get the chrome ones and reflect that reflected energy back to where it came from. If it is truly coming from some reflection, the owner of the house should have his insurance pay for damages.

  • Replies 38
  • Created
  • Last Reply
TomC Enthusiast

TomC

Posted
  • Author
Posted

After doing some research I contacted the National Association of Home Builders and this was their reply:

 

Dear Mr. ---------,

Reflected sunlight from low-e windows can, if certain atmospheric conditions are present, potentially generate sufficient heat to thermally distort vinyl siding and plastic products, such as your truck mirrors.

 

To avoid repeat damage, and assuming that you do not wish to replace your windows, you could park your truck in another location, place covers over your mirrors when parked, or install screens or awnings on the windows to diffuse or block the reflected sunlight.

 

Best regards,

 

DAVID N. CRUMP, JR. ESQ.

Director of Legal Research

Legal Affairs

 

National Association of Home Builders

1201 15th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

GPGuy Senior Enthusiast

GPGuy

Posted
Posted

Wow! I've never heard of that. Does make sense though.

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

I have heard of sunlight focused by motorcycle windshields melting instrument cluster gauges. It was recommended that one place a towel over the instrument cluster when leaving the bike parked in hot sun.

TomC Enthusiast

TomC

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Wow! I've never heard of that. Does make sense though.

Yep, a case of high tech windows meeting low cost plastic :)

GPGuy Senior Enthusiast

GPGuy

Posted
Posted
Wow! I've never heard of that. Does make sense though.

Yep, a case of high tech windows meeting low cost plastic :)

 

Don't forget the tree huggers make sure that they're not too thick because I mean you wouldn't want to use extra gas or something. :)

BlackSilver Senior Enthusiast

BlackSilver

Posted
Posted

I had a similar meltdown on my old '03 Silverado. The meltdown was along the upper/front edge of the plastic attached to the door, and was IN FRONT of the mirror, so no chance it was the mirror or any window concentrating the sunlight. removed to examine, and no hot wires or anything of that nature behind the plastic in that area.

 

Dealer shrugged shoulders and replaced under warrantee.

jblakeney Senior Enthusiast

jblakeney

Posted
Posted

I have mirror tint on every window in my house.... It reflects QUITE the warm beam of light in the summer..... But it keeps the sun rays out and keeps the house a little cooler... Plus I don't have to worry about somebody looking in.. Or seeing me look out.

 

So, possible yes, I think so.... But the plastic in the mirrors should BE THICK enough to handle the heat.

 

Jbo

  • 1 year later...
hpetrone New Member

hpetrone

Posted
Posted

I have a 2010 Black Prius V bought in 2010. Toward the winter I had the same issue. They told me something was reflecting on plastic mirror (BS!) went to Toyota headquarters in Torrance and raised hell. SOuth Bay Toyota replaced. It's happening again and now it's winter. I think it's a heating element or wiring problem? Im so confused. You're the only person Im reading about that this is happening to. No other Prius problems with this.

waumo1 Enthusiast

waumo1

Posted
Posted

That is interesting. I don't know what the mirror covers are made of but if it is ABS, the melting point is only 221F. However that is still enough to inflict serious burns. If low e windows can actually do this, I smell a big time class action suit in the works. :smash:

davisenglish@hotmail.com Enthusiast

[email protected]

Posted
Posted

I have experience and some training with window coatings. A reflection from windows can not cause damage to plastic like this. It's no more powerful than the sun it's self. put a thermometer in the reflection next time it happens. do you have Heated mirrors?

  • 4 weeks later...
shiner-blue Enthusiast

shiner-blue

Posted
Posted

If you have experienced melting (deformed) mirrors please post your experience and pictures if you have them. I have a 2008 GMC sierra that has melted mirrors. Both mirrors have deformed with he passenger side being the worst.

 

I like others considered something causing this other than simple exposure to sunlight and haven't found any possible factor other than direct sunlight. My truck is not parked in a situation that wold be exposed to concentrated sunlight reflections from windows.

post-40321-0-20586600-1325105282_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-49863500-1325105296_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-50089000-1325105307_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-44783400-1325105324_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-20586600-1325105282_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-49863500-1325105296_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-50089000-1325105307_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-44783400-1325105324_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-20586600-1325105282_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-49863500-1325105296_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-50089000-1325105307_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-44783400-1325105324_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-20586600-1325105282_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-49863500-1325105296_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-50089000-1325105307_thumb.jpg

post-40321-0-44783400-1325105324_thumb.jpg

2010LTZ4x4 Enthusiast

2010LTZ4x4

Posted
Posted

If you have experienced melting (deformed) mirrors please post your experience and pictures if you have them. I have a 2008 GMC sierra that has melted mirrors. Both mirrors have deformed with he passenger side being the worst.

 

I like others considered something causing this other than simple exposure to sunlight and haven't found any possible factor other than direct sunlight. My truck is not parked in a situation that wold be exposed to concentrated sunlight reflections from windows.

 

That is just nuts :nonod: If its not the heat from the sun or it being reflecting off of something than it must be poor quality plastic in some cases. Theres no way its caused from the heated mirrors or the pwr folding mirrors the wires are no where near the melted or deformed part.WOW!!!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • KARNUT
      Navigating senior years.

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I can relate. 3 years ago I did that on my Avalanche. I was sore for a week. The only maintenance I do myself now is drop and fill on the transmission on my Honda’s. It’s just too easy. My yard work with my walks in the morning will be enough now I passed 70. The contributing factor is the heat in Texas. You just have to pace yourself. 
    • kr477
      Forward collision and lane keep assist still a problem on 2022 refresh?

      By kr477 · Posted

      I am sorry if this was misleading. That was a document attached to our most recent work order number (Doc# 7105804) that summarized all the current updates. These programs were ‘redone’ in the past but these versions dated 4/1/2016 were the ones that actually made all of the problems disappear. These programs were relayed to the dealer from the technical services group at GM. Here is the exact wording on the last work order:   “Front view camera reprogramming with SPS. A new version of FCM software was released to the service dept. In addition to providing general robustness and stability enhancements, this update includes all enhancements from previous software version releases. SPS camera and calibrate camera. OLH to perform extended camera relearn procedure after camera calibration. Would not take with first GDS learn. Front camera SPS – BDYZ333157450 GDS2 – camera road calibration performed 2810835 Front view camera reprogramming with SPS LT 0.6 OLH – extended camera relearn procedure OLH LT 1.5”   I got the truck back on 4/8 – since that time it has been great no problems whatsoever. The lane keep assist, active cruise control and AEB all work very well around town and at highway speeds up to 80mph. During this time I had been away for a week and purposely let the battery sit without a batter tender. Even with the battery a bit lower there were no problems exhibited. I really think this one has it fixed after dealing with these issues over a couple of years. These new programs and relearn process when completed seem to make all the parts (and newer replacement parts) ‘talk’ to each other without any glitches. Hope this helps
    • mysery1
      Navigating senior years.

      By mysery1 · Posted

      I turned 72 today. My day began with a trip to the pharmacy to pickup meds for me and the dog and then a stop at my chiropractor before heading home. Once home I started the job of replacing the rear brake pads and one rotor on our 2018 Silverado which will probably end up taking me 3 days to finish, gotta pace myself you know. Sometimes I question myself on why I still do most of my own repairs but if I wasn't then it's more than likely I would be sitting in front of the TV all day. It seems like the list of things I need to do gets longer no matter what I accomplish. I'm not complaining but being retired was so much easier when I was 62.   Peace
    • davester
      2021 with Intermittent AC Cooling Issues

      By davester · Posted

      google "bathub failure curve". Basically, any part of the vehicle can fail at any time.  It starts off as being more likely (early failure), then the failure rate goes down (but does not go to zero), then it goes up over time because it wears/ages out.
    • Grumpy Bear
      Winter Returned

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      I went from every other day to about once in five since the rain abated. I'm not unhappy about that. Took most of the month for the ditches to dry enough to mow. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...