Asked on Mar 25, 2015

How do I fix the back of a mirror?

Janet chambers
by Janet chambers
I have a large, round, mirror (3'x3'?) that goes to a vanity and has been in my basement for a long while. The backing on the mirror looked like cardboard and held onto the mirror with clips. What new can I put on the back or what else can I use a large mirror for?
  2 answers
  • D & K D & K on Mar 26, 2015
    The paper or cardboard attached to the bask is there to protect the silver nitrate, the reflective surface of the mirror. You can replace it with almost anything, cardboard, poster board, cloth, almost anything. I would reattach it in the same manner as before and I wouldn't glue it on. Some glues and adhesives could react with the silver nitrate and cause it to dissolve or peel away from the glass. You can also paint the back side with a latex paint. I've been told black works the best. Not certain why that is. Locally there was and very old man who owned and operated his own mirror resilvering operation. He resilvered several mirrors for me before he died and he always painted the back side black.
  • Janet chambers Janet chambers on Mar 26, 2015
    Thank you so much!!