Hi!

I've a 2007 naked FZ6 and I'm not a massive fan of the shiny chrome style mirrors. As all the aftermarket ones I've seen look a bit poo, I thought I'd paint them.

Does anyone have any idea how best to go about this? I'm considering Plasti-dip as I can get a matt black finish that won't look ridiculous but I've heard bad things about the product. I could matt-spray paint them, but I imagine for that I'd need to remove the chrome coating (I think it might just be a plastic cover anyway) from all the stem parts etc, or find a primer that will stick to it.

Or try and find a better set of aftermarket mirrors that don't cost the earth :-). I'm also thinking about using the same finish on the grab handles (as they're a bit scratched and scuffed).

All opinions welcome, does anyone here have any advice to share.

If you want to paint the mirrors, you will need to scuff up or lightly sand the chrome for best results. Steel wool, Scotchbright pad or fine grit sandpaper, (200 or finer), so that the new paint will have the ability to stick to the chrome. If you plastidip, don't bother to scuff them up, just clean well. That way if you remove it later you will still have nice chrome. You'll want to scuff up or lightly sand the grab handles as well prior to painting.

Considering the range of pretty cheap mirrors available, I'd suggest you just try to find a set you like in black and see how that goes first. Unless you are thinking about doing a color match to the bike or some fun with contrasting colors.

Cleaning, scuffing/sanding and careful masking go a long way in getting good results in the end. Probably some Youtube videos on prep and paint how to's that you could watch before you start too. Do remove the mirrors from the bike to do the work. Don't forget Yamaha likes to put a right hand thread on one side and left hand thread on the other side so the wind can't blow them loose.

Thanks - I actually decided to go for a satin plastikote paint job to give the not-quite-matt black finish I was after. I did buy some aftermarket mirrors but they were awful - I could barely see. It seems for my bike it's either original chrome ones, nasty cheap ones, or really expensive but usable aftermarket ones. Considering the paint has cost me less than 20 quid I thought I'd try that first and if not I'll just get some originals (17 each on Wemoto, I just don't like the chrome) and put up with it!

I've already sanded and undercoated & I'm putting the final topcoats on tomorrow. If it all goes well I'll report back and let you know! Thanks again for the tips.

I've had good results with Plastikote paint in rattle cans. I hear you on aftermarket mirrors. Sometimes goes strait from cheap with too much vibration to Holy Cow expensive. I don't need Ram mounted detachable $300 mirrors, thank you very much! I did get some useable FZ1 mirrors for my Faired FZ6 here in the US. China made, but a vendor I used before for the same mirrors on my FJR1300 years ago. Not quite as stable as OEM, but useable w/o concern at any speed under 90 mph, (145 kph), which I never do anyway. Highest legal speed here is 85 mph and mostly 65-75 mph where I live.

I look forward to seeing some pics and how it looks on your bike. Satin black should make for a nice understated look w/o the shine of gloss and less industrial than matte. Remember several light coats is better than a couple heavy coats when spraying. Don't worry about complete coverage on the first couple of coats.