Anti-glare sideview mirror options
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
Anti-glare sideview mirror options
Hi guys,
If you've ever been driving at night and get blinded by the car behind you, then I'm sure you've done the "arm block" maneuver. I've done some heavy searching on this topic, and thought I'd open the discussion to see what members have done about it.
1) WHAT'S AVAILABLE FOR C4s - There are aftermarket convex mirrors available that reduce the blindspot. However I just talked to a member on here who had them who said that although they are great for what they do, the mirrors offer no additional anti-glare properties.
2) FILMS AND TINTS - To put on some sort of tint on the mirrors. My local tint shop said that no one has ever done this, and moreover, tint does not adhere or stay on plastic very well compared to glass. I think our mirrors are made of glass. Ideally "polarized tint" is the best, however most products are made for LCD screens and the like instead of automobile applications. Maybe they can still work...
3) NEWER CORVETTES - C5 owners reports that the electrochromatic technology is available 2001+ http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ew-mirror.html. However it is not the best. Additionally, I don't think new housings would necessarily flow with the C4. http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.net/gc4/mirror.htm So if I am going to replace the housing, I want to find one that not only looks the best but also works the best.
4) RETROFITTING THE BEST - Some higher end cars have a blueish tint on the mirrors, however this is part of the glass composition rather than a layer of tint. One option is to retrofit glass from one of these cars (e.g. Mercedes, Lexus, etc.), which would require reshaping of the glass. I think this will be the best approach if the material doesn't crack or break.
Update: This looks like a place to start. http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a...ror-mod-VW.htm
Any thoughts/experience on this?
If you've ever been driving at night and get blinded by the car behind you, then I'm sure you've done the "arm block" maneuver. I've done some heavy searching on this topic, and thought I'd open the discussion to see what members have done about it.
1) WHAT'S AVAILABLE FOR C4s - There are aftermarket convex mirrors available that reduce the blindspot. However I just talked to a member on here who had them who said that although they are great for what they do, the mirrors offer no additional anti-glare properties.
2) FILMS AND TINTS - To put on some sort of tint on the mirrors. My local tint shop said that no one has ever done this, and moreover, tint does not adhere or stay on plastic very well compared to glass. I think our mirrors are made of glass. Ideally "polarized tint" is the best, however most products are made for LCD screens and the like instead of automobile applications. Maybe they can still work...
3) NEWER CORVETTES - C5 owners reports that the electrochromatic technology is available 2001+ http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ew-mirror.html. However it is not the best. Additionally, I don't think new housings would necessarily flow with the C4. http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.net/gc4/mirror.htm So if I am going to replace the housing, I want to find one that not only looks the best but also works the best.
4) RETROFITTING THE BEST - Some higher end cars have a blueish tint on the mirrors, however this is part of the glass composition rather than a layer of tint. One option is to retrofit glass from one of these cars (e.g. Mercedes, Lexus, etc.), which would require reshaping of the glass. I think this will be the best approach if the material doesn't crack or break.
Update: This looks like a place to start. http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a...ror-mod-VW.htm
Any thoughts/experience on this?
Last edited by bolowbc; Apr 14, 2012 at 03:48 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
My prior 35th Anni had side tint which helped but still had to divert the DS mirror down a bit to avoid bright headlight glare. I still had no blind spots and could still see cars that were close on that side.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
My friend has a volkswagen jetta, and the mirrors have some type of blue tint on them. 90% Sure it came from the factory. Perhaps you could look into that and see what type of film they used. It works pretty well.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 7
From: Irvine CA
I was referring to tinting the actual mirrors.Right, I mentioned that the bluish hue that you see on certain mirrors is not an actual tint, rather it is an antireflective coating.
