NABCC Buick

@skip, Hey! let's make it a group visit!! We can start planning when things begin to ease up. 

@jkuvakas Absolutely!!  Sounds like fun and I'm more than willing to show folks around the area too (Niagara Falls is a short drive away).....

 "Hopefully Brooklin will address them to everyone’s satisfaction."

Fortunately, it was a small percentage of the Buick's shipped that had a mirror problem. Brooklin Models will take care of every one of our members who did experience a problem. I was one and have no worries that this is being appropriately addressed. 

I am very happy to have this model as it is a real keeper. Just beautiful. 

Over the years I have replaced many an outside mirror.   My technique is to cut a small disc out of sheet aluminum (commonly available at hardware stores)  Cut a square or oblong piece file the edges to the shape and size you want then cut a small piece of silver paper clip wire and using a very small dab of J B Weld afix the section of wire to one side of the aluminum disc.  Let dry,  paint the back with a chrome pen such as a Molotow or Big Thumb Chrome Marker.  Bend the wire slightly to accomodate the angle of the hole in the body of the model.   These, being made of wire, not white metal or plastic, are far more robust.  

Here are a pair prior to painting to be fitted to a friend's 18th scale Jaguar XK120.  The J B Weld can be added to for a smoother more rounded finish. 

These mirrors will be similiar to those in this photo.

I have one last post for this topic.  When I sent an email to Brooklin asking for a replacement mirror, I also asked them for their suggestions to remove the pin (stub) still in the fender.  I received a very nice response from Amanda.  With her permission, I am sharing it.  It might be useful to one of the forum readers. Also, I did remove the stub from my model.

Hi Ed,

Firstly, Happy New Year to you.

Sorry to hear about the problems with the door mirror, please find below a short explanation on how to remove the stub:

I would suggest placing a small dab of lukewarm water in the hole where the pin is stuck (this will soften the glue).

Then you can try to push the broken mirror stub into the body of the model with either a pin or something similar (eg a paperclip that has been straightened).  But please be careful not to damage the surrounding paintwork.

Or undo the screws underneath the model to separate the baseplate & seatpan to get to the inside of the model, the rear bumper will come loose, so be prepared for this.  When removed the base & the seatpan (should come out as one, as they are glued together).  Use a pin or straightened out paperclip or something similar to push the mirror stub out.

Recommendation from the assembly area supervisor, would be to try to push the stub in first and if this doesn’t work take the model apart to push the stub out. 

We are currently waiting for more door mirrors to come back from being electroplated, once they arrive back with us, we can send replacements out.

Kind regards,

Amanda

@ed-davis 

Ed thanks, this is great info.

I may have missed it earlier in this thread but do you have the contact info for Amanda? 

Thanks again

@moe-parr 

On the Brooklin website you find the below email address for questions.  The few times I have used it, Amanda always responds.

mail@brooklinmodels.com

@ed-davis 

pin vise.

@larry-kemling 

When I was pushing the stub, I forgot I had a pin vise. It would have made holding the pin or a piece of the paper clip easier. Good suggestion.

John and Ed,

Thanks for your posts regarding these mirrors on the Buick. Rather than replace them with more white metal ones that will still be vulnerable, I am also thinking of fabricating replicas much the way you described John, ones that are more robust. The removal of the stubs as described by Amanda is also very helpful.

Having taken a few Brooklins apart over the years, I can confirm Amanda's method but I am usually taking the whole model apart so soak it in a container of warm water.   Everything glued on comes off easily.  I think they must use something like Elmer's white glue which is water soluble.  If you are making your mirrors as I showed, using silver paperclip wire gives you a ready made "chrome" stalk but it didn't seem to show up well in my photo.