Fixing up an old mirror in a humid bathroom
September 4, 2023 7:08 PM Subscribe
I have a big mirrored medicine cabinet that is very firmly attached to the wall. The edges of the mirrored doors are de-silvering slowly. I’d like to paint/stick on a flat frame around the edges to cover up the damage. What paint or materials would work on a mirror that is misting up with humidity 5x a day - vinyl sticker? Nail polish? No choice but to somehow get it off the wall?
Maybe a Mirrormates kit or similar? (edited b/c missed links)
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:15 PM on September 4, 2023
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:15 PM on September 4, 2023
The thick Aluminum foil tape would work. It handles all sorts of environmental abuse without being so well adhered you can't get it off. We used it to add trim to glass we had cut to replace plastic shelves in refrigerators. There are also copper foil tapes available though I haven't used those.
Another option would be a UV blocking tape used to protect glass sealants from UV. Sika is the brand I've seen used for boats but I'm not sure where to buy it.
Tremclad makes an exterior glass paint. Without etching the glass it can be scraped off with a blade but otherwise adheres well and would be impervious to humidity.
Speaking of etching glass etching pastes are available that would give a frosted look. Tricky with a mounted mirror but doable maybe.
posted by Mitheral at 10:23 PM on September 4, 2023
Another option would be a UV blocking tape used to protect glass sealants from UV. Sika is the brand I've seen used for boats but I'm not sure where to buy it.
Tremclad makes an exterior glass paint. Without etching the glass it can be scraped off with a blade but otherwise adheres well and would be impervious to humidity.
Speaking of etching glass etching pastes are available that would give a frosted look. Tricky with a mounted mirror but doable maybe.
posted by Mitheral at 10:23 PM on September 4, 2023
We switched to a high-end polycarbonate thick piece of mirror a few years ago and will never go back.
We've owned this place 22 years and went through many price levels of glass mirrors including the highest quality anti-corrosion glass pieces(at least three increasingly expensive tries). The only time I ever remember that it's plexi is the few times a year it needs a gentle hotwater towel wipedown. Price is very comparable to the antirust mirrors available. Again, it's really worth it to spring for the thickest polycarb.
posted by nenequesadilla at 11:12 PM on September 4, 2023
We've owned this place 22 years and went through many price levels of glass mirrors including the highest quality anti-corrosion glass pieces(at least three increasingly expensive tries). The only time I ever remember that it's plexi is the few times a year it needs a gentle hotwater towel wipedown. Price is very comparable to the antirust mirrors available. Again, it's really worth it to spring for the thickest polycarb.
posted by nenequesadilla at 11:12 PM on September 4, 2023
> went through many price levels of glass mirrors
What conditions were the mirrors installed in that they failed so frequently?
posted by wkearney99 at 2:58 PM on September 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
What conditions were the mirrors installed in that they failed so frequently?
posted by wkearney99 at 2:58 PM on September 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 7:26 PM on September 4, 2023