Painting Ducati 1098 Mirrors
Color matching the mirror housings on your Ducati 1098 gives the bike a much cleaner look. Getting the mirrors apart for painting them is not the issue. Putting them back together is the fun part...
This method does not involve any ovens or such.... just three fat dudes, a steady hand and a case of Corona Light.
WARNING: CCR is not responsible should you mess up your mirrors... do this at your own risk!!!
Taking the Mirrors Apart:
1) Pop out the lens for the turn signal, remove the C-clip that holds the mirror assembly to the base. You'll likely launch this clip into low earth orbit or snap it in half... don't worry, C-clips cost a few pennies. Be sure to hold the post above the C-clip with a micro-needle nosed vise grip as once the clip is removed, the internal spring will drive the bottom of the post into the back of the mirror glass, most likely cracking the mirror.
2) Separate the mirror base from the mirror stem by removing the two screws. You should be left with three pieces for each mirror: the base, the stem and the part that actually still retains the mirror.
Painting the Mirrors:
I'm not going to get into the painting aspect of it simply because every painter has his own methods and materials.
1) I personally just took two inch tape, carefully masked off the mirror itself using the back side of a straight razor blade to push the tape gently down into the corners where the mirror meets the plastic, then flip the razor around and carefully cut the tape directly in the corners for a perfectly clean mask.
2) Remove the C-clips from the mirror bases and mask the mirror base with tape and paper. The reason for the C-clips being removed is to mask the mirror base mounting hole so the mirror post goes back in the same exact position after paint. If you don't mask this hole the mirror base will be loose and flop around.
3) Paint the pieces and allow to dry/cure per your paint manufacturer's instructions.
Reassembly:
1) Reinstall the mirror glass into the mirror assembly. Be careful not to crack the mirror glass.
2) Reinstall the mirror base onto the mirror stem. Put the C-clip back on the mirror base post. Use a small screwdriver or pick to push the C-clip down onto the post. Be careful as the spring will try to launch the mirror assembly if not held firmly.
3) Once the mirror is back together, put the mirror back on the bike. You just saved yourself about $240 and cleaned up the look of your 1098.
Good luck!