Dull very old mirror

by Sharonlong627

Answered

I have a beautiful very old mirror, no matter what brand of glass cleaner I use, I can't get the white powder look out. How do I clean my mirror?

5 answers

Monica on Mar 08, 2015
you can try using a warm vinegar and water mix and wipe with newspaper or a local jeweler may have jewelry rouge it's a heavy paste that you apply and take off with a cloth, but its time consuming. Some old antique mirrors appear to be dull but it could be the backing that gives the piece of glass its reflective. In other words in may need to be re-slivered.

Helpful Reply
- See 2 previous
- D & K on Mar 08, 2015
  @Monica ,you can also use good old fashion toothpaste. Not the gel style but the old white stuff. Keep it moist and it will do the same, You can also use it for polishing out scuff marks on furniture, cabinets and it will make a dull piece of metal really shine. I keep a couple of tubes in my equipment trailer just in case.
  
  Helpful
- Monica on Mar 08, 2015
  @D & K Thank you Dennis. I appreciate the tip. Toothpaste can save you a penny at the local Dollar store.
  
  Helpful
- Sharonlong627 on Mar 09, 2015
  @D & K I have never heard of this but, worth a try. Thanks so much!
  
  Helpful
Lynnsbeyondthephoto on Mar 08, 2015
Hi: I purchased an old mirror recently and it has a "haze" I tried different things. One was using shaving cream. lol. What the heck... I'll try anything. Anyway, after cleaning with that and trying vinegar.... it is cleaner, but the "haze" is still there. I have read that you can have them professionally done to remove that.... but if you can still see in it, my thinking is that it is an old mirror, and the haze makes it look more authentic.

Helpful Reply
Joanie1051 on Mar 08, 2015
"Haze" and "whiteness" on old mirrors indicates the silvering is breaking down. You will need to get the mirror resilvered.

Helpful Reply
- See 1 previous
- D & K on Mar 08, 2015
  @Joanie1051 , do you know of someone that resilvers mirrors. We had a very old man locally that resilvered mirrors for many many years. Unfortunately when he died so did his business. I find many antique bevel edged mirrors in my line of work and would love to find someone that could resilver them.
  
  Helpful
- Joanie1051 on Mar 09, 2015
  @D & K Dennis - If there isn't anyone in Temple, you will have to check Waco, Killeen, maybe Austin for someone. Start Googling and see who you can find closest to you. It IS a dying art, for sure. Large furniture manufacturers likely have their own department for the mirrors for bedroom sets and such. Don't know if there is one of these in your area, but that might be worth a try, too.
  
  Helpful
Sue on Mar 08, 2015
Dawn dish detergent and a touch of ammonia may do he trick. My window washer uses Dawn to clean windows.

Helpful Reply
- See 1 previous
- Sharonlong627 on Mar 09, 2015
  @Sue I will try this, thanks!!
  
  Helpful
- Sharonlong627 on Mar 17, 2015
  @Sue Thanks, Sue this did the trick. My mirror looks new. I appreciate you sharing this with me. Sharon
  
  Helpful

Janey on Aug 31, 2020

All of these methods devalue the mirror. It will be worth a lot less. Look better. Worth much less.

Helpful Reply

Related Discussions

How to clean a mirror without streaks?

Dede Answered 3 days ago

Every time I clean my mirrors, they end up having tons of streaks and almost look worse than before I started. What could I use to clean them that won't leave streaks... See more

105

See Answers

How to clean burns on stainless steel pans?

Lav34479187 Answered on Feb 24, 2024

Help! I burned my pan. How do I clean stainless steel cookware that's been burned?

q how do i remove the ugly burnt oil stains on my stainless steel pan

See Answers

How to clean shower doors

Lilia Answered Yesterday

How to clean glass shower doors

See Answers

How to clean hardwood floors in the kitchen?

Kbh29473432 Answered on Feb 24, 2024

What is the best way to clean hardwood floors in the kitchen?

See Answers

How to clean my kitchen cabinets from grease?

Bertha Smiley Answered on Feb 24, 2024

My kitchen cabinets are embarrassingly greasy. Please share your degreasing tips with me so I don't have to cringe every time I glance at my cabinets.

See Answers

Cleaning stained china tea cups

Eboozer Answered on Aug 01, 2022

I have a set of china that belonged to my grandmother back in the '40's. Most of the pieces are still beautiful except one cup that bears cracks inside with perhaps c... See more

See Answers

Anyone know how to clean stained glass window?

Kelley MacKay Answered on Aug 01, 2022

Does anyone know how to clean stained glass windows? I have a large framed stained glass from an old church. It needs to be cleaned but have read you have to be caref... See more

See Answers

Dull very old mirror

Suggested Project Book

These Gorgeous Transformations Will Make You Rethink Your Lamp Shades

Other

More

Dull very old mirror

Suggested Project Book