Auto body repair & detailing: Scratch on passenger mirror repair, passenger mirror, even strokes

Question
My wife was taking our brand new 2006 Chrysler Town & Country through a drive through bank, she was focused on trying not hit the driver's side mirror off the yellow bars when she scrapped the passenger mirror off of a cement pillar.  It's not real bad but considering it's only a month old I was wondering if there's a way to make it look a little better? I believe it is black plastic.  I was wondering if it would help to take a soft piece of sand paper and lightly sand the roughness and use some kind of touch up paint? Thanks for your advice

Answer
Hello, and thank you for your question! First, try removing the scratches with rubbing compound. If the Pillar was painted, the paint transferred from the post will come off with some oven cleaner, SPRAYED ONTO A RAG, NOT THE VEHICLE! OVEN CLEANER WILL STAIN WHITE AND SILVER PAINT. If neither of these things work, it will need sanded and painted. You will need either a semi-gloss black, or gloss black spray can of paint to paint it. Buy a plastic paint tarp from Wal Mart, and cover the entire vehicle. This will stop any overspray. Paint in a ventilated garage, with some sort of fan running to help exhaust fumes. Carefully mask off the mirror with tape and newspaper, and remove anything from the garage you don't want overspray to stick to. Scuff the mirror with a scuff pad. Tack the mirror off with a tack rag, these are available at any store that sells paint. Paint the mirror with even strokes, overlapping 50% on each stroke. Less paint per coat is better, especially on the first coat. Carefully follow the directions on the can, be patient, and you will do okay. Hope this helps! Bill