Abstract: A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles provides increased gloss and depth of color in appearance, and enhanced resistance to scratching, surface crazing and ultraviolet radiation degradation. The housing is preferably molded from a resinous plastic material in a predetermined color and has a generally transparent polymeric material such as clear urethane or acrylic applied in a thin coating to the unpainted housing. The generally transparent coating may include a tint or particles of metal or mica to enhance the molded housing color and/or appearance. Optionally, adhesion of the coating to the housing may be increased by mixing an adhesion promoting agent in said resinous plastic material prior to molding, or by treating the housing surface after molding and prior to application of the coating. An ultraviolet radiation absorbing, blocking, screening material may be included in the generally transparent polymeric material.