Interior Mirror.

[tel76]

I need to separate the black interior mirror head from the chrome mounting arm so that i can have the arm re-chromed. 1968 280sl.
I have read conflicting info: on this subject, is it possible and if so what is the correct procedure?

[stickandrudderman]

Find yourself a full chrome one from an earlier car; much nicer!!

[waqas]

Find yourself a full chrome one from an earlier car; much nicer!!

Only if one is unconcerned about originality. I believe a 1968 280SL should have the black mirror, with the dull finish on the arm.

[69280sl]

"Only if one is unconcerned about originality. I believe a 1968 280SL should have the black mirror, with the dull finish on the arm."
Waqas

Yes as Waqas says. I recently went through this. In my case the silvering of the mirror was showing its age. MB does not have the exact replacement mirror but they have a mirror, from a different model which uses the same head and a slightly different arm.

I took the head off the new and used it with my old arm. If you do this heat (gun) applied to the ball and socket will make removal and reassembly much easier.

Gus
 
 
 

[tel76]

Hello Gus,
Thank you for the info: i used my heat gun and the mirror head came off quite easily.
As a matter of interest the finish on the removed arm is chrome not a dull finish and from all indications it has never been removed previously.

[114015]

Hello Eric.   

As a matter of interest the finish on the removed arm is chrome not a dull finish and from all indications it has never been removed previously.

Sure yours should be chromed. You've got a (RHD) Europa version, not US. That's why.
Only US-versions had the mirror arm, the horn ring, some trim on the upper windscreen frame, soft-type door pockets etc. - but only after 250 VIN 002980, of course.

See the Wiki.

All others have more chrome.

Achim
(Euro-230 with usual amount of chrome - like US-230ies)