Mirrors – artistry-in-glass

How to repair a broken mirror frame – complete instructions!

by John

A beautiful mirror frame complements a room’s architecture and furnishing. If your treasured frame has been damaged in moving – or if you have bought an antique frame at a yard sale – how do you find out if your broken mirror frame is worth repairing? Decorative, carved, or gilded frames are worth restoring as long as the damage is not too severe. The important steps are: clean off the dirt, secure and reglue the corners, replace missing veneer and gesso, repaint and varnish the frame then re-install your mirror. Examine your mirror frame to evaluate the damage. Small wooden … Read more

How to frame a builders-grade bathroom mirror with molding

by John

Many bathrooms have unframed builders-grade bathroom mirrors over the vanity. Removing these mirrors is difficult because they are often glued to the wall – so the most economical solution is to spruce up the old mirror by attaching a frame. Learn the secrets of in-situ mirror framing in this informative post. A handy homeowner can frame a bathroom wall mirror for less than $25.00 using molding from a home-improvement center and construction adhesive. The three main types of frames are: mitered, square-cornered, and butted and each can be installed following the simple steps described in this post: Measure your mirror … Read more

How to frame a wall mirror – 4 options with images

by John Wakefield

Frame with corner blocks - no need for miters

A plain mirror is nothing more than a piece of glass with a silvered back – the real beauty of a wall mirror comes from its frame. But how do you decide on the frame and what are the best ways to frame a wall mirror? The most expensive option is to order a custom frame from a frame shop whereas the most affordable way is to do it yourself by adding molding to a mirror already attached to the wall. A medium-priced approach is to buy a ready-made mirror either online or from a furniture store. Read this informative … Read more

Can I Repair Scratched Mirror Silvering with Aluminum Foil?

by John

Most old mirrors have defective 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 work! Silver mirroring is so 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 not disguise the defect. A much better solution is to purchase a new mirror. Table of contents As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases … Read more

Best Silver Paint for Mirror Silvering – the Ultimate Test

by John

Professional mirror re-silvering is expensive and re-silvering shops are few and far between. A do-it-yourself alternative is to use silver spray paint. We test the major brands in 2023 and report the best. Our tests show that the best spray paint is “Mirror Effect” silver spray paint by Rust-Oleum – available in 6 oz cans (sufficient to silver about 5 square feet of glass. The closest to real mirror silvering is Spaz Stix brand “Ultimate Chrome Mirror” but this is only available in 2 oz bottles for air-brush painting. Modern Glass Mirrors In modern mirrors, the silver (or sometimes chromium) … Read more

Should I Re-Silver my Antique Mirror? Advice from an Expert

by John

You have purchased or inherited a beautiful antique mirror but the silvering is defective. Black-edge, black spots, flaking, or scratches have damaged the original silvering, and you wonder – should I re-silver my antique mirror? Re-silvering is offered by only a few companies in the USA. Unless you can deliver and pick up your mirror, shipping charges make the process expensive. Re-silvering is only worthwhile if you have an etched, historic, or specially shaped antique mirror. A degree of damage may even be aesthetically desirable – read on to learn the pros and cons of re-silvering. The first mirrors used … Read more

Hanging a frameless wall mirror with glue (4 simple steps)

by John

Large frameless wall mirrors are a feature of home gyms, dance studios, and residential bathrooms. For safe installation, it is essential to use mechanical fasteners (J-channel and clips) in addition to adhesive (mirror mastic). Follow these four simple steps for the safest and best results. Measure the wall and order the mirrors Prepare the walls ready for the mastic Install J-channel and clips Apply mastic and attach mirror to the wall Safety must be paramount when installing large wall mirrors. Learn from the cautionary tale below that all large mirror must be installed with mechanical fasteners as well as mastic … Read more

Removing a mirror from a wall: 4 simple steps (with images)

by John

Many large mirrors are attached by an adhesive called mastic and are difficult to remove from the wall. Using safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing, follow these simple steps – apply duct tape in case of breakage, soften the glue with a heat gun, and carefully separate the mirror from the wall using cut-out wire, or wooden shims, then pull the mirror away from the wall. It is easy to smash mirrors, creating dangerous shards, and earning seven years of bad luck (irrational superstition). This website explains ways to remove wall mirrors safely and without breakage. Important safety information. Mirrors … Read more