How do you disassemble the side view mirror for painting?

Hello, you don't disassemble it; you have a paint shop professionally mask it and paint it prior to installation.

Did you ever figure this out? Someone removed just this upper folding part of the assembly from my car and just cut the wires, so I still have the post piece bolted to my car. I watched some videos on replacement, but they all require removing the door panel. I was hoping that maybe I could just replace this upper portion, even if it means that I wouldn't have any of the wires connected. At least I would have a side view mirror again.