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taking the back off of a mirror
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 3:52 pm
by jim simmons
I have tried a 1/2 hour soak with two different mirror backs. one is black and one is a redish brown
1/2 hour soak in acetone, alcohol, methyl ethyl keytone( MEK ), and mineral spirits.
Nothing works very good. The acetone barely makes it so you can scrape it off woth a razor blade, but I can't get it really clean this way.
Am I overlooking something?
I havent tried gasolene yet.
Jim
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 4:09 pm
by Ron Coleman
Paint remover contains methylene chloride and will do the job.
Ron
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 4:20 pm
by charlie
any paint stripper. home depot has a number of different ones. i know jasco works well. do NOT use in an enclosed area or around a flame unless you have an abundance of brain cells to kill. damhikt.
Re: taking the back off of a mirror
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 11:20 pm
by Terry Ow-Wing
I use the lacquer thinner, put it in a tray and cover it and leave it till I remember to fix it - probably at least overnight
- this is one of those gee I'm doing 5 things at once tricks for me.
-Good luck - Terry O.[
quote="jim simmons"]I have tried a 1/2 hour soak with two different mirror backs. one is black and one is a redish brown
1/2 hour soak in acetone, alcohol, methyl ethyl keytone( MEK ), and mineral spirits.
Nothing works very good. The acetone barely makes it so you can scrape it off woth a razor blade, but I can't get it really clean this way.
Am I overlooking something?
I havent tried gasolene yet.
Jim[/quote]
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 11:49 pm
by watershed
A mostly useless tip, but Kemper (kester?) Paste soldering flux, does a wonderfull job of eating mirror backing.
Also, when you buy it, choose wisely. Some Mirrors are electroplated, some just painted and covered with tar.
Plus, since mirror is VERY TOXIC when applied, I would imagine that it is VERY TOXIC when removed.
Greg
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 7:54 am
by Marty
Are you removing the backing selectively (for a design)? Sandblast.
If you want to get the glass completely clear, why not buy float?
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:10 am
by charlie
not really. the toxicity is because of the carrier for the silvering. sonce the silver is deposited, the rest goes away. you're really only left with the backer (paint/tar) and silver.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 11:58 am
by jim simmons
Marty wrote:Are you removing the backing selectively (for a design)? Sandblast.
If you want to get the glass completely clear, why not buy float?
This request was for my friend who wants to selectively remove the back from a mirror and then paint a portrait on it.
Thanks for all of the responses.
Jim
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2003 1:25 pm
by Mark Kemp
They sell a product in craft stores made specifially to selectively remove mirroring for decorative purposes. I haven't tried it though.
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 3:47 am
by Peter A Cummings
jim. I used a strong paint stripper to remove the cover paint,and a 10% nitric acid from the solder section, hardware store.Both dangerous,use gloves, glasses and fresh air.I found it hard to get clear outlines as both were so strong but the mirror picture is a great effect. Pure lemon juice can take the silver off with lots of scrubbing.