door handle/mirror reinforcement plates
Assuming the plates are a good fit to the shape of the door.
I would assume that the urathane is to prevent moisture buildup between the plate and the door.
Why a difference between mirror and door, who knows.
Unless the instructions say 1/8 bead, I would think a light skim coat across the surface of the plates would do it.
Now the real question.
For 50 + years the handles and mirrors have worked fine. Why the need to add the plates.
The parts you don't add, don't cause you no trouble!