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How To Repair The Back Of A Mirror

Scratch with aluminum foil

Nigh quondam mirrors have lacking silvering and misleading blog posts commonly claim that scratched mirror silvering can be repaired by taping aluminum foil on the back. We tested this and similar hacks and found that none of these methods piece of work!

Silver mirroring is then perfectly reflective that any scratch or defect in the silvering is extremely obvious. Painting the scratch with silver paint, or taping silver leaf or aluminum foil to the back does non disguise the defect. A much better solution is to purchase a new mirror.

Trying to Fix Scratches in Mirror Silvering

Scratch on reverse of mirror

A deep scratch that goes through the pigment and the silvered surface will bear witness whatever is backside the mirror. Scratches like these ever seem to occur in the almost conspicuous part of the mirror!

Let's see if the folk tales about mirror repair methods really work.

Aluminum Foil

Scratch with aluminum foil

Many blog posts merits that aluminum foil, smoothed down and taped to the back of the mirror, will successfully disguise a crack.

This fix is repeated numerous times by irresponsible bloggers but, see for yourself, it but does not piece of work. The appearance of the foil is much lighter than the smoother, optically perfect silvered mirror.

Silver Leaf

Mirror scratch unsuccessfully repaired by silver foil

We accept supplies of real silverish leaf (used for antique restorations) so nosotros tried burnishing this silver to the back of the scratch, in case it may work better than kitchen foil.

No luck! As the photograph shows the deviation between silvered mirror and the argent leaf is very obvious.

Silver Airbrush Paint

Mirror scratch unsuccessfully repaired by silver airbrush spray

Painting the scratch with silver airbrush paint. We try very high-quality Spaz Stix brand "Ultimate Mirror Chrome" paint designed for airbrush spraying. This paint has a 4.6 Amazon ranking and is popular with hobbyists.

The results are just as disappointing as the metallic foil attempts. After four coats, the difference between the brighter spray paint and the mirror is obvious.

Lesson Learned – Don't Believe Everything You Read!

Numerous cheerful home repair "experts" echo these crazy hacks and fifty-fifty get high rankings on Google. Ane great example is the erroneous thought that croaky china tin can be stock-still with milk! Make upwards your own minds from the images on this folio: the conclusion is that pigment or metal foil may slightly reduce the prominence of a scratch, but in no way eliminates the harm.

In many cases, it is much ameliorate to simply replace the damaged mirror. Read this commodity to learn how.

Approximate Retail Prices of Mirrors

Consider buying a new mirror rather than trying to gear up a scratch – see typical prices beneath.

The prices of mirrors vary widely from shop to shop and in different parts of the United states. Use the approximate retail prices, in the table beneath, as a guide to determine whether it is worth your time and endeavor to strip and re-silver an sometime mirror. Notice the weights of the various thicknesses – consider choosing a lighter-weight mirror for easier hanging.

Thickness
(inches)
2 Sq. Ft. iii Sq. Ft. 4 Sq. Ft.
1/8″ $21 (three.4 lbs.) $24 (5.1 lbs.) $27 (6.8 lbs.)
three/sixteen″ $35 (5.1 lbs.) $39 (7.7 lbs.) $42 (ten.2 lbs.)
ane/4″ $48 (half-dozen.8 lbs.) $54 (10.2 lbs.) $66 (13.vii lbs.)
Weights and estimate retail prices of articulate mirrors in the USA. Prices are for clean-cut (that is not polished or beveled) clear glass mirrors suitable for inserting into a frame.

To Buy a New Mirror, or Paint the Old Ane?

Learn all well-nigh using argent spray paints from this post in which we test viii products to discover the best.

Our conclusion is that "Mirror Event" spray paint (available here from Amazon) from the Rust-Oleum company is the #i choice for silvering a mirror.

Unique Mirror Resources from Artistry in Drinking glass

Mirror Design & layout

  • How are mirrors fabricated?
  • What is a beveled mirror?
  • What is a two-style mirror?
  • Best mirrors for bedrooms
  • How to size and position your wall mirror
  • How to order custom etched mirrors
  • Best places to hang dining room mirrors
  • How much do wall mirrors cost?
  • Shop the MIRROR Family unit Package

Mirror Installation & Removal

  • How to hang a wall mirror
  • How to frame a builder'south grade bathroom mirror
  • How to hang a frameless mirror with glue
  • Best clips for hanging mirrors
  • How to attach a mirror to a closet door
  • How to remove a mirror glued to the wall

Mirror Repair & Restoration

  • Should I resilver my antiquarian mirror?
  • Can I repair scratched mirror silvering?
  • What is the best spray paint for mirror silvering?
  • How to fix a cracked mirror
  • How to repair a broken mirror frame

Artistry in Glass is your source for antique repair in Tucson

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John

I was an exploration geologist and University Professor working in Republic of botswana, Zambia, Brazil, Kingdom of saudi arabia, the Netherlands, and other countries before opening Artistry in Glass in 1986. In my more than xxx years of feel, I have brought my technical abilities every bit a scientist to the trade of glasswork. In this fourth dimension I take become an industry expert in glass and glass-related skills. Watch out for special insider tips adult from my detailed knowledge of the glass business organisation.

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