Side mirrors melted

[pyates999]

I used to have a race trailer with a polished stainless steel AC box on the front & we were parked at the track & our PT Cruiser was parked between the rigs & the reflection from the sun off of that stainless melted the rear bumper cover exactly like what your mirror looks like. We went back the next day & parked the car between the rigs again but not exactly in the same spot & the bumper melted again in a slightly different spot. A reflection of the sun would definitely do what you’re seeing. Looking at the photos that you posted it appears to have been a sunny day which just reinforces my belief that you were gotten by a reflection of the sun.

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[Hot Pepper Red Zeppelin]

The specs for the heated blowers in that Tacoma thread say that they should be mounted 12’-6” minimum above floor.

 

[SubaruRaptor]

Oh boy. I don’t even know where to start. I was driving my truck around today making the usual stops, and when I was getting back in my truck after a car wash, I noticed my driver side mirror was MESSED up to put it nicely. I couldn’t believe it. I inspected the rest of the entire truck and it was all fine until I got around to the passenger side and realized that mirror was also screwed up. They both are now melted. I am beyond flabbergasted and upset about it and I have zero idea how this could have occurred. I don’t park anywhere that there is a crazy reflection, the truck mirrors were fine this morning, and I didn’t go anywhere or do anything crazy, just shopped some and got gas. The only thing I can think of is this was the first chilly day of the year here in NC, and maybe some wiring went bad from defrosting? I’m not sure. Anyone seen anything like this before?

This has to be external heat. If it was internal the black plastic would behave differently when it melts.

 

[Muffin1]

I'm going with the theory about reflective sun melt, can you backtrack in your memory as to where you parked at some point before you noticed it?
Put on your detective cap on lol.

 

[Boosted6G]

I'm guessing a fuse would blow before any defrost wiring got remotely hot enough to do that much damage?

 

[SubaruRaptor]

I'm guessing a fuse would blow before any defrost wiring got remotely hot enough to do that much damage?

This isnt internal damage. Its some sort of external reflection damage.

 

[Grranger]

This isnt internal damage. Its some sort of external reflection damage.

Well I’ve solved the case. The carwash sent me photos of me pulling in and the damage was already there. Said they’ve seen it happen before at a car lot because of a reflection off windows. I thought that was silly but went outside and sure as shit the sun’s reflection off an upstairs window beams down like a magnifying glass. I couldn’t stand in it longer than 30 seconds. It was 48 degrees yesterday and it still happened. Sucks so bad as it’s a brand new truck and now I’ll have to file a claim.

 

[Hootbro]

Well I’ve solved the case. The carwash sent me photos of me pulling in and the damage was already there. Said they’ve seen it happen before at a car lot because of a reflection off windows. I thought that was silly but went outside and sure as shit the sun’s reflection off an upstairs window beams down like a magnifying glass. I couldn’t stand in it longer than 30 seconds. It was 48 degrees yesterday and it still happened. Sucks so bad as it’s a brand new truck and now I’ll have to file a claim.

At least you figured it out.

 

[Boosted6G]

This isnt internal damage. Its some sort of external reflection damage.

Clearly, but the defrost wiring was one theory. But it's the reason fuses exist.

 

[AugPal]

It looks like vandalism to me.

I know you said you were with your truck all day, but could it have happened overnight or the day before.

It's still under Ford warranty, correct? So you'll be taking it into a Ford dealer?

 

[Roverhound]

It looks like vandalism to me.

I know you said you were with your truck all day, but could it have happened overnight or the day before.

It's still under Ford warranty, correct? So you'll be taking it into a Ford dealer?

If it's vandalism why would Ford cover it under warranty?

 

[AugPal]

If it's vandalism why would Ford cover it under warranty?

You're correct. If it's vandalism they won't cover it. I was thinking you would take it to a Ford dealer and they would tell you if it was covered or not under their warranty.

Let us know what happens

 

[pyates999]

You're correct. If it's vandalism they won't cover it. I was thinking you would take it to a Ford dealer and they would tell you if it was covered or not under their warranty.

Let us know what happens

There’s no way in hell that is going to be covered under warranty!!

 

[pablo94sc]

That's a damn shame, but glad you figured it out and it wasn't someone with a grudge or the wiring. Now the question is, how do you fix your home windows to prevent this in the future?

 

[AugPal]

I think he needs to talk to a plastics expert. It's not normal. Maybe too much black dye will weaken the plastic.

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