Melting Mirrors

TomC · January 9, 2012

As a follow up due to a recent inquiry from another damaged vehicle owner, I thought I would add more pictures that demonstrate what happened to my truck's plastlic mirrors. As you can see, the sun reflects off the windows on the side of the house and onto the truck. Under the right circumstances, e.g.; time of day, lack of clouds, position of sun and vehicle, and etc.. The window will reflect the sun with sufficient heat to melt the plastic on the vehicle. Keeping the screens on the windows seems to diffuse the effects of the sun.

redjewel2ss · January 9, 2012

looks like its just the mirror cap. i would get the white painted ones. and this probably won't happen again. black absorbs light/heat, whereas white reflects it. so the white ones should not melt.

TomC · January 9, 2012

Unfortunately, the damage is not limited to the mirrors. The plastic trim around the windows and door handles have also suffered some damage. Most of the exterior plastic and rubber trim is at risk of damage.

Volucris · January 9, 2012

Looks like your having trouble on reentry. Try changing your angle of attack.

Flatflap · November 21, 2013

I have also had a problem with melting mirrors and a melting vinyl cap on a 2012 Siverado 2500 HD. It has happened in multiple locations and I believe that it is caused by a chemical reaction, not heat. The Melting of your mirrors is identical to the pattern on mine..

See if any of this is familiar.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27369720.cfm

Did you ever get a definitive resolution?

MB2008LTZ · November 22, 2013

Maybe it's ALIENS from area 51.....

montyss · November 22, 2013

If a liquid did it, it should have run down the edges of the mirror below where it was damaged , I'm in for some type of heat like a reflection causing it like in London in your link

TomC · November 22, 2013

Flatflap, Yea, it's the windows. The only solution for me is to keep the window screens on year 'round. Can't tell if your suffering the same. Some pictures would help. Good luck!

efritz · November 27, 2013

While we're on this topic, I have some mirrors I would sell for a good price off of a 13 half ton, were only in use for 4 months and i bought towing mirrors. They are chrome. PM me.