Restoring a mirror can be a daunting task, especially when the backing has been damaged or scraped off, leaving unsightly spots that are visible through the glass. However, there is a surprisingly simple solution that you may not have considered: aluminum foil.
Using Aluminum Foil to Restore Mirror Backing
This trick works particularly well if you have areas where the backing has been scraped off, and you can see through to the other side of the glass. To do this, you will need to smooth out small pieces of aluminum foil and tape them with clear tape to the back of the mirror. The reflective foil is seen from the front and is much less noticeable when you hang the mirror back up again.
Since you probably already have tape and aluminum foil on hand, this is an easy and cost-effective solution for a few trouble spots. It’s important to note that this method is best suited for small areas, as covering larger sections may become tedious and time-consuming.
Other Mirror Restoration Techniques
While using aluminum foil is a simple and effective solution for some mirror restoration issues, there are other methods you can try depending on the extent of the damage:
Use mirror-like spray paint: This is a similar option to the aluminum foil and essentially does the same thing if you have the clear spot issue. If you have a bunch of small areas all over your mirror, it’s probably more efficient to spray the whole back so any little spots get covered and you don’t have to foil 20 different areas.
Paint the frame: Simply tape off a border or design, use a few coats of spray paint and create a new frame that covers up the spots! Most spray paints will hold up just fine when cleaning the mirror with glass cleaner, but you can always buy a small craft mirror and test out your paint first.
Re-silver the mirror: Re-silvering is a more technical process that involves removing the protective silver backing of the mirror and reapplying those layers again on the back of the glass. It may be more suitable for larger mirrors or if the damage is overwhelming and beyond other repair methods.
Remember, when using any of these techniques, it’s essential to protect your newly restored mirror from further damage by applying a layer of protective polyurethane on the back.