It’s an exceptionally rare home that doesn’t have a mirror in it. If nowhere else, you’ll typically find one in the bathroom. Of course, the presence of a mirror also raises the possibility that you’ll break a mirror sooner or later.While considered bad luck, a superstition dating back to ancient Rome, modern mirror breakers have a few more options than living with seven years of bad luck. These days, you have mirror repair options available to you.Of course, you don’t want to fix every mirror you break. If you have an old mirror, though, you might prefer fixing it to replacing it. If you think you might need a mirror fixed, keep reading for our quick guide to mirror repair.
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Common Mirror Problems
Not every mirror problem is a crack or break, although those are probably the most common. Some of the other common problems you might see include:
- Desilvering
- Dark spots
- Cloudiness
- Backing flaws
Some of these problems can lend themselves to at-home repairs. Others typically require the help of a professional mirror company.
Cracks
Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution for a cracked mirror. If you just need a short-term fix, you can glue the mirror pieces back together. That will provide a mostly adequate substitute until you can replace the mirror.You can also find epoxy mirror repair kits that will often provide a longer-term solution for a broken mirror. There is still a good chance that the cracks will remain visible.
Scratches
Scratches are a different animal. In many cases, you can rub toothpaste across the scratch to essentially buff the scratch out of the mirror glass.
Cloudiness
Cloudiness is most often a byproduct of insufficient cleaning or subpar cleaning products. A slow buildup on the surface of the mirror gives it that cloudy look.You can apply a solution of white vinegar or even rubbing alcohol to the surface and rub the solution away with a clean cloth.
Desilvering
With some mirrors, the silver backing starts to come away from the glass. If you enjoy DIY projects, you can re-silver the mirror using kits for just that purpose. You’ll have to remove the old silver backing and apply a fresh one.Re-silvering is something of a work-intensive process. Most people who prefer re-silvering over simply replacing will use a mirror company for the process. It helps ensure you get a smooth silver finish and manufacturer-grade seal.
Mirror Repair and You
Breaking a mirror is bad luck, but not of the seven-year variety. It’s just monumentally inconvenient.In cases where the glass cracks, there are limited options such as glue and epoxy. Scratches you can often buff out and cloudiness often yields to vinegar or rubbing alcohol solutions.In cases where the silver is coming away from the glass, you can attempt an at-home re-silvering process using kits. Most people opt for professional services for re-silvering a mirror.Looking for more home tips. Check out the posts over in our Tips and Tricks section.
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