custom mirror

[jthistle]

You could also try sculpting polyurethane foam and then fiberglass over it.

[cfg83]

lunarhighway -

Originally Posted by lunarhighway

looks nice!

however why not try a different material than sheet metal.

perhaps you could make a sturdy mold out of carboard and give it some compound curves, cover it wil filler and sand really smooth and than heatform a piece of plastic over it or perhaps carefull happer the metal into shape over it

ideally you could vacuum form a large sheet, but perhaps carefull heating a suitable piece of plastic in the right areas with a lighter and than pressing in on the mold will eventually produce a perfect shape.

than again the extra effort might not make much impact over you'r design, wich looks very nice, and matches the car well...when painted it'll really rub shoulders with expensive aftermarket mirrors in the looks department.

You could also go on a quest for "the perfect plastic funnel". If you find one that fits, cut it in half and mount it to the car. If you could find one in black (or red to match the car), you wouldn't even have to paint it.

But, from what I see, I think the metal one could turn out fine.

CarloSW2

[mwpiper]

For small tight curves like that, I would go with the Stryrofoam core covered in fiberglass. It let's you sculpt so the corners aren't unstylishly sharp.

The blunt front end may not be the right shape here because the airflow at the lower corner of the windshield, at least on my car, is almost horizontal. That means a conical filler at the front of the drivers door may be helping smooth the airflow off the windshield by softening the turn around the A post. A teardrop may be ideal for a stand alone shape in freestream air, but a side mirror is not in freestream air, being attached to a much larger shape. My suggestion would be to keep the top edge from meeting the door at too acute an angle. Even extend the top edge above the edge of the door and wrap it partially around the A post to smooth the transition from the windshield to the mirror.

I've also contemplated the clear boat tail behind the mirror. Doesn't have to be complete like the egg. I've been driving around of late with my hand out the window trying to feel where the air flow around the mirror and A post goes. And watching rain on the windows (and yet, I haven't plowed into anybody!) It's complicated.