How To Repair Silver On Back Of Mirror

Most old mirrors have lacking silvering and misleading blog posts commonly claim that scratched mirror silvering tin can exist repaired past taping aluminum foil on the back. Nosotros tested this and similar hacks and plant that none of these methods work!

Silver mirroring is and so perfectly reflective that whatsoever scratch or defect in the silvering is extremely obvious. Painting the scratch with argent paint, or taping argent leafage or aluminum foil to the dorsum does not disguise the defect. A much better solution is to buy a new mirror.

Trying to Fix Scratches in Mirror Silvering

A deep scratch that goes through the paint and the silvered surface will show whatever is behind the mirror. Scratches like these always seem to occur in the most conspicuous function of the mirror!

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

Aluminum Foil

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

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

Silver Leaf

Mirror scratch unsuccessfully repaired by silver foil

Nosotros have supplies of real silver leaf (used for antiquarian restorations) so we tried burnishing this silvery to the back of the scratch, in case it may work better than kitchen foil.

No luck! As the photo shows the difference betwixt silvered mirror and the silvery leaf is very obvious.

Silver Airbrush Pigment

Mirror scratch unsuccessfully repaired by silver airbrush spray

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

The results are simply as disappointing as the metal foil attempts. After iv coats, the difference between the brighter spray paint and the mirror is obvious.

Lesson Learned – Don't Believe Everything Y'all Read!

Numerous cheerful home repair "experts" repeat these crazy hacks and even get loftier rankings on Google. One great example is the erroneous idea that cracked china tin can exist stock-still with milk! Make up your own minds from the images on this page: the conclusion is that paint or metal foil may slightly reduce the prominence of a scratch, but in no manner eliminates the damage.

In many cases, it is much better to but supplant the damaged mirror. Read this article to larn how.

Approximate Retail Prices of Mirrors

Consider ownership a new mirror rather than trying to fix a scratch – meet typical prices below.

The prices of mirrors vary widely from shop to shop and in dissimilar parts of the United states. Use the approximate retail prices, in the tabular array below, as a guide to decide whether it is worth your time and effort to strip and re-silver an erstwhile mirror. Find the weights of the diverse thicknesses – consider choosing a lighter-weight mirror for easier hanging.

Thickness (inches)	2 Sq. Ft.	iii Sq. Ft.	4 Sq. Ft.
1/8″	$21 (3.4 lbs.)	$24 (5.one lbs.)	$27 (6.8 lbs.)
3/xvi″	$35 (5.one lbs.)	$39 (7.seven lbs.)	$42 (10.2 lbs.)
ane/iv″	$48 (six.8 lbs.)	$54 (10.ii lbs.)	$66 (13.7 lbs.)

Weights and estimate retail prices of clear mirrors in the United states of america. Prices are for groomed (that is not polished or beveled) articulate glass mirrors suitable for inserting into a frame.

To Buy a New Mirror, or Pigment the Old 1?

Acquire all virtually using silver spray paints from this mail service in which we test eight products to find the all-time.

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

Unique Mirror Resources from Artistry in Glass

Mirror Design & layout

How are mirrors made?
What is a askew 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 Package

Mirror Installation & Removal

How to hang a wall mirror
How to frame a builder's form bathroom mirror
How to hang a frameless mirror with glue
Best clips for hanging mirrors
How to adhere a mirror to a cupboard door
How to remove a mirror glued to the wall

Mirror Repair & Restoration

Should I resilver my antique mirror?
Tin I repair scratched mirror silvering?
What is the best spray paint for mirror silvering?
How to prepare 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 Botswana, Zambia, Brazil, Kingdom of saudi arabia, kingdom of the netherlands, and other countries earlier opening Artistry in Glass in 1986. In my more than thirty years of experience, I have brought my technical abilities as a scientist to the trade of glasswork. In this time I take get an manufacture expert in drinking glass and glass-related skills. Picket out for special insider tips developed from my detailed knowledge of the glass business.

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