jasone36

I am a new owner of a 2002 SC430, it appears my driver's side mirror glass is darker than my passenger side mirror, perhaps due to fading or aging.

Is it normal for the mirror glass to get darker as it ages, has anyone else seen this phenomena?

Thanks

irokdastar

i have the same thing and i always wounder about it

Yes

i never noticed. but the driver's side may be slightly tinted to combat headlight glare.

redliner8

iTrader: (1)

I've seen the mirrors changing color at night because of headlight glare, maybe that's what you're experiencing?

jasone36

I know the inside center mirror has the ability to dim, but I didn't think the outside mirrors have that ability.

I am thinking this may be due to aging of the glass?

redliner8

iTrader: (1)

Do they look different during the day when you're driving?

PLAYTYM

The outside mirrors also tint just like the interior mirror. Just turn your headlights one and watch.

mandyfig

Side mirrors will dim, they have this liquid that make them do that, which is toxic.

Some of the members (here or at the RX forum) have encountered this toxic liquid. Never let this substance touch the paint. It will be a paint job for sure.

Z3NK1

iTrader: (2)

My driverside mirror has started turning dark at one of the corners, and it's slowly spreading. I'm thinking water is getting in there or something. When it gets worse I'll just replace the mirror with a new or used piece.

scyul

Your mirror is doomed... It's not water, it's the "auto-dim" liquid. Had to replace mine for the same reason.

Z3NK1

iTrader: (2)

^^ Cold Canadian weather must be the culprit, haha

scyul

Nope! My car is from Florida and the auto-dim was defective when I imported the car... Must be the sun!

jasone36

I called the dealer, they want around $425 for just the glass of the mirror. I think I will have to live with the permanently darker glass on the left side mirror. The entire glass is darker, not just a part of it, which brings me to the next question...

Does anyone have any idea if I can manually adjust the 'brightness' or 'dimness' of the outside mirror, I would love to permenantly make it not dark. It seems the mechanism which makes it dark made it dark and now cannot undarken it.

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

robertrios

iTrader: (11)

im pretty sure its auto dim there are alot of whole side mirrors on fleabay, i would suggest search for your color and replace the entire thing for less than what the dealer quoted, you can then keep your housing as a back up incase you ever need it or even sell it.