November 23, 2008
Mirror Repair
Q. I have several large mirrors that are permanently attached to my bathroom wall. There are a few areas around the edges and in the centers of the mirrors where the silver is missing. Is there any way to repair these areas, or at least diminish the appearance of the missing silver, without having the mirrors removed from the wall?
-Natalia D. Rodefeld, Port Jefferson
A. Silvering mirrors is not an easy task. In fact, not many places do it anymore because of the toxicity of some of the chemicals involved (silver and mercury, for instance). Silvering is an old process, and it can be done by individuals. But to do your mirrors, you will have to remove them from the walls, have a work space large enough to handle the application and drying, and have the patience of Job.
Oh, yes, you also have to remove all of the old silver, too.
There are a couple of excellent Web sites that give you the step-by-step process of silvering mirrors, including mixing solutions. I have to tell you, I've done some labor-intensive projects in my day, but I would not want to resilver my mirrors.
The Web sites are:
www.makestuff.com/formulas/mirrors.html
www.about-the-web.com/shtml/reports/09-048.shtml
If you think the mirrors are worth repairing and the damage is mostly on the edges (this damage is commonly referred to as "black edge"), you might try mirror products Mirr.Edge from Millennium International Development Corp. in Boca Raton, Fla. (www.mirredge.com; 800-757-2990), or Elegant Edges in High Springs, Fla. (www.elegantedges .com; 877-353-5089).
These products don't repair the mirror as much as they hide the edges and corners with a beveled look. It's quite attractive - check the photographs at the Web sites - and relatively inexpensive. Kits run about $30 for Mirr.Edge and about $100 for Elegant Edges.
I have never used the products, so I can't give you any more info. However, if it were me, I'd replace the mirrors. Also, quit using ammonia-based cleaners on the mirrors. The ammonia gets behind the glass and starts to oxidize the silver finish. If you must use an ammonia-based cleaner, always spray in the middle of the mirror and avoid getting the edges wet with the cleaner.
Instead of ammonia, use solutions of vinegar and water or isopropyl alcohol and water. For both solutions, use one part of the cleaner to four parts water.
Mixx it!
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