Preparation

• Before you can install a side view mirror on your car, you'll need to purchase a new mirror. There are many websites online that sell side view mirrors that fit a wide range of vehicles. Check your car's manual to see the part name for your specific side view mirror. You can also contact the manufacturer's dealership to check prices of side view mirrors. They are typically more expensive at the dealership, although dealerships carry side view mirror sizes that may be hard to find elsewhere.
  
  New side view mirrors come in a standard black color. If you want your new mirror to match the color of your car, you can purchase a small amount of spray color from an auto body shop. To discover the exact name of your car's color, visit the Duplicolor link in the Resources section of this article.
  
  Paint the new side view mirror before installing it on your car. Lay down a sheet or a few layers of newspaper. Cover the mirror with painter's masking tape, and spray the rest of the side view mirror with the paint matching your car color. Let this dry for the time limit detailed on the paint's packaging.
  
  

Installation

• Side view mirror installation is roughly the same no matter which car or truck you drive. To avoid any mistakes, open your door and roll down your car window because it may break if left up while you're following these instructions. Find the trim cover panel on the inside of the door. This is usually in the shape of a triangle and is located right next to the window on the opposite side of where the side view mirror connects to the car.
  
  To remove the panel, place a flat-head screwdriver between the panel and the car, popping it outward. Be careful not to remove it too forcefully in case speaker wires are connected to the panel. Once the panel is removed, you'll need to unhook the power cord from your side view mirror, which should be in the middle of the opened panel. This exists only in cars with power mirrors. Use a ratchet to remove the bolt securing the side view mirror. Once the mirror is unscrewed, grasp it and pull it away from the car to pop it out.
  
  Installing a new mirror is just as simple. Place the freshly painted mirror in the same hole as the old one. Screw in the old bolts using the ratchet, and plug in the power cable removed from the old mirror. To replace the interior trim cover panel, put it over the opening and press inward until you hear it click in securely.