Outside mirrors
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 48
From: Scottsdale Az
First thing I do after washing is folding a sheet of paper towel into a triangle shape (like a napkin) and slide it under the mirrors & tail light lenses, then dry off the rest of the car & then remove & discard the now soaked paper towel, takes less than 30 secs. to slide them into position so they can wick the water out...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 202
From: Long Beach California
Cover mirror with freezer bag secured with rubber band prior to washing. Afterwards, wash mirror by hand with damp towel.
For whatever reason, only the passenger mirror leaks on my car.
For whatever reason, only the passenger mirror leaks on my car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Leominster MA
Several good methods here. I might try a couple of them gents
I have been just washing them like any other part of the car. When it comes time to squeegie it off with my "absorber" I wrap the whole absorber towel over the mirror and gently move it to the front then a bit quicker back to the normal detented position and when it sort of snaps back into place it throws any water inside of it out to the absorber.
My preferred method as some use here would be a compressed air hoze, but I don't have that option available unfortunately.
I like the paper towel method tho
I have been just washing them like any other part of the car. When it comes time to squeegie it off with my "absorber" I wrap the whole absorber towel over the mirror and gently move it to the front then a bit quicker back to the normal detented position and when it sort of snaps back into place it throws any water inside of it out to the absorber.
My preferred method as some use here would be a compressed air hoze, but I don't have that option available unfortunately.
I like the paper towel method tho
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 268
From: Vancouver, Washington
I don't wash my car with water. Since I don't drive it in the rain detail spray is sufficient. It also keeps the hard water stains from forming in places I can't reach!
Last edited by CorvetteSparky; Aug 13, 2014 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Additional info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 171
From: Vancouver Island
Thats what I do, I just swing the mirrors out so that they face downward and I let the water drain out while I dry off the rest of the car with a microfiber towel. When that's done, I snap the mirrors quickly back into place to fling any lingering water out, then towel that dry. Ive been doing that once a week for three years and it's been working fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Thats what I do, I just swing the mirrors out so that they face downward and I let the water drain out while I dry off the rest of the car with a microfiber towel. When that's done, I snap the mirrors quickly back into place to fling any lingering water out, then towel that dry. Ive been doing that once a week for three years and it's been working fine.
Just going to post the same procedure.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Thats what I do, I just swing the mirrors out so that they face downward and I let the water drain out while I dry off the rest of the car with a microfiber towel. When that's done, I snap the mirrors quickly back into place to fling any lingering water out, then towel that dry. Ive been doing that once a week for three years and it's been working fine.
But since that only drains the top half, the problem of the bottom leaking at the door skin seal needs additional help. If that casting doesn't drain through the door as designed, you need to either clean out the dirt or other crap that's plugging the drain hole or drill a new hole. You can test it by rotating the mirror and slowly pouring water in the lower casting and verifying it drains out the slot in the door bottom. If it drains out of the mirror casting, but not out of the door, you need to clean out the door slot.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 7
From: Boro of Hats PA
But since that only drains the top half, the problem of the bottom leaking at the door skin seal needs additional help. If that casting doesn't drain through the door as designed, you need to either clean out the dirt or other crap that's plugging the drain hole or drill a new hole. You can test it by rotating the mirror and slowly pouring water in the lower casting and verifying it drains out the slot in the door bottom. If it drains out of the mirror casting, but not out of the door, you need to clean out the door slot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 1,069
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I agree, no water needed, especially with today's waterless cleaning products. Neither of my 'vettes ever have water touch them.
Last edited by Too-Fast; Aug 14, 2014 at 01:09 PM. Reason: Spelling
