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Maintenance

How to take care of your Clearview® Products

Maintaining your Chrome Mirrors

Mirrors can quickly get covered with dirt, dust, and grime, so cleaning and maintenance are important to preserve their chrome finish.

Whilst Clearview Towing Mirror® bases are made from Aluminium, the mirror heads are plastic to keep our mirrors as lightweight as possible.

The chrome finish used on our mirror heads is a chrome plated plastic, which provides the appearance and feel of real chrome, in a more lightweight and cost-effective material.

Weather conditions, how often they are washed and how close to the ocean you live, all play a role in the longevity of the chrome finish.

  • Automatic car washes that use bristle brushes or acidic preparations can damage your chrome
  • Salt and de-icers will surface pit chrome and extra care will be required with more frequent washes to remove residue.
  • We recommend washing them weekly with mild soap and water, steering clear of ammonia-based or acid solutions.
  • Clean, good quality micro-fiber cloths are recommended to wipe down the chrome surface and prevent water stains from forming
  • An occasional polish with a non-abrasive chrome polish will help bring your chrome back to its original shine!

If chrome isn’t properly maintained, it can develop pitting from corrosion or lose its attractive shine.

We recommend Autosol Metal Polish and Autosol Metal Life Saver.

Maintaining Powder Coated Surfaces

Whilst powder coating is a lot more durable and longer lasting than paint, it can still be affected by dust, dirt, salt water, constant exposure to the weather, and collisions.

Harsh chemicals and solvents can also damage powder coating. Once damaged, the surface is a lot more vulnerable to fading and failure.

Whilst powder coat acts as a protective “shell” over the mirror base, it isn’t damage proof. Chips or scratches can let moisture, dirt and/or salt particles in, harming the surface underneath and causing the powder coat to chip or crack. Once it does, its shell can be picked away and peeled off.

Ongoing maintenance is important to increase the life of the finish of your powder coated surfaces.

With the right maintenance, you can increase the life of the finish of your powder coated surfaces:

  • We recommend regularly inspecting your powder coat and wiping any dust off with a soft cloth. Clean, good quality micro-fiber cloths are recommended.
  • We recommend regular washing with highly diluted mild soap and water. Use a soft towel to gently clean. Rinse and dry with another soft towel.
  • If your powder coat is losing its shine, you can apply a thin layer of high-grade non-abrasive car wax after it’s been cleaned. Wipe all the wax off once its dried and the powder coat should look like new again! Use a car wax brand that contains a UV blocker or UV inhibitors. Do not use compound-type waxes as they contain abrasives that can harm the powder coating.

It’s important in coastal areas to regularly clean any powder coated surfaces as salt will stick to the coating, dulling its appearance.  This can leave your powder coated surface looking chalky.

We don’t recommend paint touch ups to cover imperfections as paint won’t adhere to powder coated surfaces. A local professional can quote to repair the powder coating.

Pressure Washing Warning

When using a power washer on your vehicle – please take care not to subject the mirror heads to the pressured water spray. High Pressure water washing of the mirror heads can affect the electrical operation of the Mirror by forcing water into electrical connections such as the Multi-Signal Monitor as well as damage the Plastic casings of the mirror. Although the mirror components, such as Indicators, are sealed, they are not designed to handle high pressure water directly. Damage resulting from water ingress from high pressure devices is not covered under warranty.

How do I maintain my Powerfold mirrors?

Under normal Powerfold operation, there shouldn’t be any maintenance required.

However, if it is regularly used off-road, then the mirrors may need to be maintained every 12 months. This maintenance involves pulling the mirror into the fully extended position and applying dry lubricant on the arms.

We recommend using WD-40 Dry Lubricant.

Maintaining your Clearview Power Slide®

Regular routine maintenance will help to ensure continued smooth operation of your Clearview Power Slide®!

  • Keep the slide runners, tray and bearings free from dirt and grit 
  • Clean your slide regularly, wiping it down with a clean, damp cloth to remove any dirt or grit. 
  • Avoid any waxy lubricants and WD-40 as they can attract dirt and grit.

Maintaining your Clearview Expanda Slide®

Regular routine maintenance will help to ensure continued smooth operation of your Clearview Expanda Slide®!

  • Keep the slide runners, tray and bearings free from dirt and grit 
  • Clean your slide regularly, wiping it down with a clean, damp cloth to remove any dirt or grit. 
  • Avoid any waxy lubricants and WD-40 as they can attract dirt and grit.
  • Release the latch and push your slide in gently. If you’re slamming the slide in, it will cause damage, resulting in the latches not releasing properly.

Christmas Open Hours

Clearview Accessories will be closed from the 22nd December 2023 to the 8th January 2024 to celebrate the Christmas season with our loved ones. Any orders received during this period will be processed upon our return from Monday 8th January 2024.
On behalf of the whole Clearview team, we’d like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!