Photo: pepo / Stock.Xchng

Some mirrors are exposed to a lot over the years, whether from hard use or air pollution. They may end up discoloured and scratched or have patches of missing silver. This is particularly the case with very old mirrors, in which case the mirror in question may be an antique piece. Really old mirrors often have a thin wood or heavy cardboard backing. Wooden backings are effective in guarding against silvering damage, besides indicating quality and age.

To re-silver or not to re-silver?

If you own a mirror where the silvering is so badly damaged that it can’t be used anymore, re-silvering may not be an option. That’s because re-silvering an old mirror is a costly process requiring special equipment. Of course, if you don’t mind spending a fair penny on re-silvering an old mirror and you have access to re-silvering experts, this might be the way to go.

Damaged mirror silver treatment

You can self-treat damaged mirror silver in two ways. The first option requires stripping the silver off the mirror and the second requires replacing the old mirror entirely. To strip a mirror of its silver, begin by brushing the silvering with a thick coat of paint remover. Allow it to rest for a few minutes and then use a razor blade to scrape the remaining silver off.

Not all of the silvering will come off with the paint remover. You will need to put in some elbow grease to scrape the rest of the silver away. This option is worth the effort if the original glass is thick and bevelled. Continue to scrape off the silver until the glass is clean. Now, all you have to do is have a new mirror cut to size. Reposition the cleaned glass in the frame and position the new mirror behind it.

Before you go to all this effort, check the mirror again and decide if it really needs a facelift. Perhaps you’d prefer to live with the age and the character. An old blemished mirror can be more beautiful than a new one.

Tags: diy