How to Restore the Glass for an Antique Mirror
As a mirror ages it begins to loose the original shine. In addition, if the mirror has not been protected or preserved well over the years, it can have nicks, scratch, and chips. You have a few options for restoring the mirror depending on its current condition.
- First, you need to clean the
mirror thoroughly. Sometimes antique mirrors only need to be cleaned
to help bring back its beauty. If the frame around the mirror has
detailed metal work, use a toothbrush to scrub the frame and get the
dirt and debris loose. - Fill the sink with warm soapy
water and wash the mirror depending on the mirror's size. If the mirror's frame is wood, be careful not to get the wood wet. Allow
the mirror to dry completely and then use a soft piece of sandpaper
to get off any paint chips that probably have formed over the years
if the frame is painted. - Repainting the frame can spruce up
the mirror and give it a new look even if the mirror itself is not
as shiny as it once was. Be careful not to get paint on the mirror
itself when you are painting the frame. - Stop after repainting the frame.
Is the mirror to your liking? Some people prefer to leave the actual
mirror itself in an antiqued looking condition to add to its
character. You can also choose to replace the mirror with a new
mirror, which will give it a brand new mirror but it takes away from
the antique-look. - Lastly, you can have the mirror
re-silvered, which is expensive and not an easy process. This is
something you would likely want to have a professional do for you.
However, you can find re-silvering kits to use at home, but this
will not look the same as having a professional re-silver it.