How to Fix a Cracked Mirror: The Ultimate Guide
Posted by MIRROR CITY
Many cultures hold to a superstition that a cracked mirror brings bad luck. Whether or not this is true is up for debate, but there are a few ways to reverse your unluckiness.
Learning how to fix a cracked mirror might be the most straightforward solution. After all, modern mirrors are typically made of a single glass panel with a dark backing, so they're far easier to repair than antique silver mirrors.
Are you unsure where to begin? Read on to discover the most effective ways to repair a broken mirror.
How to Fix a Cracked Mirror
A mirror crack can make your bathroom or bedroom feel a little stark and unkempt. Unfortunately, unrepaired cracks can also spread, eventually resulting in shattered glass that's dangerous to handle.
For that reason, you'll want to repair home mirrors as soon as you notice a crack. Fortunately, you have several repair options at your disposal.
For example, you can try:
- The aluminium foil fix
- The reflective paint fix
- The resin fix
- Ordering cut-to-size glass
- Purchasing a new mirror
Each method has its advantages. Let’s explore them to help you decide which option is right for you.
Disclaimer: Handling broken glass is dangerous. Always wear cut-resistant gloves when working on broken mirrors, or contact a professional glass repair specialist to handle the project on your behalf.
The Aluminium Foil Fix
Though not the most aesthetic solution, this is an affordable and simple way to fix a cracked mirror.
To repair a scratched mirror using the aluminium foil method, you'll need to:
- Gather your tools and supplies
- Remove the mirror glass from its frame
- Cut a piece of aluminium foil
- Tape the foil to the damaged area
- Secure the glass into its frame
Gather Your Tools and Supplies
For this repair, you'll need:
- A pair of cut-resistant gloves
- A soft towel
- A pair of scissors
- A roll of reflective aluminium foil
- Plenty of flat space to work on
Depending on the mirror you're fixing, you may also need a small screwdriver or pair of pliers. Gather these tools and supplies and dismount your damaged mirror.
Remove the Mirror Glass From Its Frame
While wearing your cut-resistant gloves, remove the mirror glass from its frame. You may need to remove the frame's backing to access the glass, or you may need to remove screws pressing the glass against the frame.
When you've separated the glass pane from the frame, place the glass onto the soft towel, with the backside facing upward toward you.
Cut a Piece of Aluminium Foil
Use your scissors to cut a small square, circle, or rectangle of aluminium foil. This piece should be large enough to cover the damaged area of the mirror. Place this foil onto the scratched or cracked area, ensuring that the reflective side is facing down.
Tape the Foil to the Damaged Area
Use clear tape to secure the foil to the damaged area. While you could opt to use adhesive, most types of glue will leave a slight discolouration that may be noticeable once dry. For that reason, clear tape is the better option.
Secure the Glass Into Its Frame
The last step is putting the glass back into its frame. Naturally, you'll want to ensure that the aluminium foil patch faces the backing. When the glass pane is secure, you can hang your mirror and enjoy your simple repair job!
The Reflective Paint Fix
If you want a more polished finish, try the reflective paint fix. To try this mirror repair task, you'll need to:
- Locate and clean the scratch
- Apply reflective paint to the damaged area
- Wait for the paint to dry
- Apply a dark backing
- Put the glass into its frame
As with the aluminium foil solution, you'll need to remove the glass mirror pane from its frame before getting to work. You'll also want to wear cut-resistant gloves to prevent accidental injury to your hands or arms.
Locate and Clean the Scratch
When you've got the glass pane onto a flat, protected surface, find the damaged area and quickly clean it with a soft cloth. This extra step ensures that your reflective paint adheres to the glass surface.
Apply Reflective Paint to the Damaged Area
If you're repairing minor scratches, it may be best to use sprayable reflective paint. But thicker bottle-based reflective paint may be better if you're repairing a crack.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions when applying the paint to the damaged area. You'll also want to ensure that the room you're working in is adequately ventilated.
Wait for the Paint to Dry
Moving forward while the paint is still wet can ruin your repair. Depending on the amount of reflective paint you've used, it could take between fifteen minutes and an hour for the paint to dry.
Apply a Dark Backing
A small piece of dark paper or cloth can help your paint remain non-transparent. If your mirror backing isn't naturally dark, be sure to quickly tape a thin piece of opaque material over the reflective paint before putting the glass back into its frame.
Put the Glass Into Its Frame
Just like with the aluminium foil fix, the last step of this mirror repair job is putting the glass back into its frame. Be sure that it's secure before hanging your mirror against a wall or standing it on the floor.
The Resin Fix
A resin-based repair kit can work wonders for small cracks. Because each of these kits is unique, you'll want to follow the instructions included with your repair kit.
This option works best for mirrors with small gaps resulting from cracks, as the resin fills the gap to restore a mirror's surface.
Ordering Cut-to-Size Glass
When the damage is extensive, replacing the glass is the best option. But you don't need to scour your local home improvement stores to find perfectly sized glass panes. Instead, you can order custom cut-to-size glass from Mirror City.
No matter what glass pane width, length, or thickness you need, Mirror City professionals have what you're looking for.
Just be sure to bring plenty of soft blankets or shock-absorbing foam when you pick up your replacement pane. You may also want to slip on a pair of cut-resistant gloves when handling your new mirror glass, as the edges may be sharp.
Purchasing a New Mirror
If the glass in your mirror is completely shattered and you're not interested in ordering a replacement pane, you'll likely want to purchase a replacement mirror.
But you don't need to look far to find a diverse selection of bathroom, floor, wall, and LED mirrors. Mirror City has a staggering inventory that is bound to catch your fancy.
No matter which mirror you choose, professional Mirror City staff can help you install your new mirror. That way, you don't need to grapple with hefty glass panes.
Having a little help while hanging or placing your mirror lowers the risk of accidentally shattering your new-looking glass. So, be sure to ask us about installation services after purchasing one of our high-quality mirrors.
Shop High-Quality Home Mirrors
Learning how to fix a cracked mirror is a fantastic way to avoid purchasing replacement mirrors. In addition, it's a valuable skill that can help you extend the lifespan of all your home's residential mirrors.
However, handling glass panes and pieces of shattered glass can be dangerous. Repairing a broken mirror can also be a time-consuming process. For these reasons, you might want to shop from Mirror City's diverse inventory instead.
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