Coated exterior mirror housing for vehicles and method for making same

A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles comprising:

• a molded housing having an outside surface and an inside surface, said outside surface being exposed and visible from the vehicle exterior, said housing being adapted to house a reflective rearview mirror element when mounted on a vehicle, said housing being molded from a resinous plastic material of a predetermined color and being unpainted;
• and
• a coating of transparent polymeric material on at least a portion of said outside housing surface whereby said coated outside housing surface portion of said exterior rearview mirror has at least one of enhanced scratch resistance, enhanced resistance to surface crazing, increased resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation degradation, increased gloss and/or depth of color in appearance as compared to said housing when uncoated with said coating;
• said coating being a clear layer selected from the group including urethane or acrylic.

A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles comprising:

• a molded housing having an outside surface and an inside surface, said outside surface exposed and visible from the vehicle exterior, said housing being adapted to house a reflective rearview mirror element when mounted on a vehicle, said housing being molded from a resinous plastic material of a predetermined color and being unpainted;
• and
• a clear coating selected from the group including urethane and acrylic applied to at least a portion of said outside housing surface;
• said outside housing surface portion being treated and modified after molding and before application of said coating to enhance adhesion of said coating to said outside housing surface portion;
• whereby said coated outside housing surface portion has at least one of enhanced scratch resistance, enhanced resistance to surface crazing, increased resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation degradation, increased gloss and/or depth of color in appearance as compared to said housing when uncoated with said coating.

A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles comprising:

• a molded housing having an outside surface and an inside surface, said outside surface exposed and visible from the vehicle exterior, said housing being adapted to house a reflective rearview mirror element when mounted on a vehicle, said housing being molded from a resinous plastic material of a predetermined color and being unpainted;
• and
• a clear coating selected from the group including clear urethane and acrylic applied to at least a portion of said outside housing surface;
• said resinous plastic material including an adhesion promoting agent mixed therein prior to molding of said housing, said agent providing increased adhesion of said coating to said housing;
• whereby said coated outside housing surface portion has at least one of enhanced scratch resistance, enhanced resistance to surface crazing, increased resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation degradation, increased gloss and/or depth of color in appearance as compared to said housing when uncoated with said coating.