The importance of a mirror in the home is difficult to overestimate. In addition to its main function, it helps to visually enlarge the space and even acts as a decorative element. Quite often, reflectors are sold without a special frame and fasteners. In this case, you will need to purchase mirror glue that is suitable for most materials. The domestic and foreign construction industry produces a wide range of these products. In order to choose the option that best suits all the characteristics, it is worth understanding in advance how they differ and what subtleties you need to know in order for gluing to be successful.
Requirements for glue for mirrors
When choosing a suitable product, even a high-quality one from a well-known brand, you should make sure that the composition is intended not just for glass, but specifically for mirrors. The fact is that some of them may contain components that destroy the amalgam (reflective layer), which over time will lead to the appearance of stains on the mirror surface. Also, the fastening composition should not contain acids or alkalis.
You should not use universal glue for mirrors, as it can also ruin the amalgam. This is due to the fact that manufacturers, in an effort to reduce cost, add chemicals to it that harm reflective surfaces.
When choosing, the material of manufacture and the specifics of the room in which the mirror will be located are no less important. Since the dimensions of the glass change with temperature changes, an adhesive should be used for bathtubs and showers that not only withstands high humidity, but is also not afraid of cold and heat. If it is not flexible enough, a hard substrate will form on the surface after drying, which may result in the glass cracking. Accordingly, the mirror will hold securely only if the adhesive composition has good elasticity and adhesion.
Adhesive types fall into two categories: neoprene and acrylic, each with its own properties. Neoprene contains rubber, so it has a strong odor but good adhesion. Acrylic is environmentally friendly, but cannot be used everywhere. Water solubility makes it undesirable to use in rooms with high humidity, such as the bathroom and kitchen.
Requirements for high-quality glue for mirrors:
- No toxic substances, alkalis or acids in the composition.
- High level of adhesion to various materials.
- Light or transparent color.
- Fast drying time.
- Elasticity.
Using an adhesive with the wrong composition may cause undesirable consequences. At best, these will be dull spots on the surface, at worst, the mirror may simply fall.
The cheapest option is solvent-based glue. Silicone is chemically neutral and provides good adhesion. But their drying time is slightly longer. Therefore, it is easiest to work with a fastening agent that has a hybrid composition. Its high cost is more than compensated by a high-quality connection.
The glue should be intended not just for glass, but specifically for mirrors
The glue must be resistant to changes in temperature and humidity
Which to choose?
There is glass not only in windows, but also in doors. No bathroom or hallway is complete without a mirror. In many homes you will find not only a glass aquarium, but also shelves, consoles, and railings. Glass is used not only in household items. They can increasingly be seen as interior decoration. And not only in the form of purchased finished products. With precision cutting and finishing capabilities and the use of advanced adhesives, we can produce a variety of glass jewelry to suit your needs. Glass adhesives create a clearly transparent seam. They can be used to seal and glue display cases, glass furniture or glass cabinets as they create an aesthetically pleasing invisible joint.
Popular adhesives
The main criterion when choosing glue is the presence of high adhesion. Many well-proven compounds are suitable for it, for example, silicone sealant. Non-standard solutions are also possible; as an option, you can glue the mirror to liquid nails. A composition intended for aquariums is also suitable for the bathroom. Among all the variety, Titan and Abro products are especially popular.
Titan
Used to work with different surfaces: concrete, metal, tiles, brick, paint, wood, drywall. Reliability is ensured by the organic resins and synthetic rubber included in the composition. Main advantages:
- high adhesion;
- water resistance;
- elasticity;
- strength;
- amalgam preservation;
- ease of use.
Titan is applied to a surface from which grease has previously been removed. The distance between the glue strips is 5 cm. They retreat 2 cm from each edge. If after gluing the position of the mirror is not satisfactory, it can be corrected within a few minutes.
Abro
Strong adhesive for mirrors with increased adhesion. The basis is epoxy resin. Used for joining various materials with glass. It can be used for gluing the glass itself, which plays an important role when it is necessary to fix a broken piece. When completely dry, it remains transparent. There are no yellowish streaks left. When used in the bathroom, moisture does not spoil the quality of the seams.
It is sold in a set consisting of two ampoules. One of them contains the adhesive itself, and the other an activator. Before starting work with ampoules, cut off the spouts, squeeze their contents into a container and mix thoroughly. Use a syringe to draw up the adhesive and cover the surfaces to be glued with it.
Loctite
Composition of two components: glue and activator. The contents of the package are enough for one or two mirrors, depending on the dimensions. Before application, the parts are mixed and applied to the amalgam in an even layer. Advantages: quick drying, color retention, no smudges. The product is also available in aerosol form, which makes the task easier. High efficiency is combined with economical consumption.
Permatex
It is used mainly for car mirrors, but the properties of the composition allow it to be used in everyday life. It is highly resistant to temperature changes, making it suitable for the bathroom. Available in a tube. It appears to be a clear liquid. The base is cyanoacrylate resin, which provides high adhesion and rapid hardening. The composition does not contain solvents. The advantage is that the glue consists of one component, so there is no need to mix it, which saves time.
DoneDeal
Silicone based sealant. Has a wide range of applications. Often used for gluing mirror tiles and other decorative elements. When applied to the surface it forms a uniform coating. It is heat resistant. Elasticity and strength guarantee high reliability. Advantages: good adhesive properties, transparent color, moisture resistance, long service life, ease of use, low price. Among the disadvantages is that it cannot withstand heavy loads, so it is not suitable for massive mirrors.
DVR mount
Most modern drivers have long had a video recorder - a gadget that helps them prove their case and record the moment of the accident. To secure the device, use special suction cups that do not deteriorate over a long period of time. But sooner or later the suction cups weaken and lose their fixing ability. They can be replaced with similar products that are sold in automobile stores. It is worth monitoring the condition of the mount and changing it in a timely manner so that the DVR does not fall or break.
What is auxiliary fastener
Before you start attaching a mirror to the wall, especially if it is large, you should think about how to hold it until it dries completely. In this case, various types of auxiliary fasteners will come to the rescue. When gluing small mirrors, you can use lighter types of fasteners rather than the adhesive itself. The most popular types include liquid nails and double-sided tape. Each method has its own scope of application depending on the material.
The advantage of liquid nails over other methods is that they create a strong connection, even if the parts to be glued do not fit tightly together, which is especially important for porous materials. This greatly simplifies the installation of uneven surfaces. The base is synthetic rubber with polymer additives. The big advantage is elasticity.
Before gluing a mirror with liquid nails, you will need to purchase a special gun into which a cartridge loaded with glue is inserted. Outwardly, it resembles a syringe. By pressing, the adhesive composition is applied to the degreased surface in a dotted or serpentine manner. The use of liquid nails for a mirror is advisable when the reflector is to be glued to wallpaper or drywall.
An alternative to this method is double-sided tape. It is a tape with an adhesive applied to both sides. On one side it is protected by a film. It can only withstand light, small-sized canvases. Pieces of tape are evenly distributed over the fat-free back surface. Then the protective film is removed from them and pressed against the material. This way you can glue the mirror to a cabinet or any other furniture. The method is suitable for beginners, since if there are any unevenness, the tape can be easily removed and re-glued.
Liquid Nails
Double-sided tape
Removing glued glass
It happens that a person may get bored with the monotony and want change. The first problem the owner will face is removing the mirror. When carrying out such operations, it is worth buying high-quality gloves, as there have been cases when a person cut himself on the structure. Also, we must not forget about safety glasses made of plastic.
For high-quality work, you will need thin wire or string, as well as a reliable hair dryer. Dismantling will take a little time and consists of 5 points:
- First, the optimal wire length is selected. It is better to take a product that will be wider than the surface of the glass.
- Fix the handles; in some cases, wooden blocks are allowed.
- The string is placed above the mirror.
- A hairdryer is connected, the surface warms up, as soon as a person feels that the glue is becoming liquid, the string gradually moves down until it is completely disconnected.
- Remains of adhesive tape and adhesive are removed using a regular spatula (from the wall, door), and a hairdryer is used to remove excess from the mirror surface.
If you can’t remove all the dirt from the wall, then you can show your imagination and decorate this surface with beautiful decorations.
Bonding technology
The algorithm of actions depends on the type of material on which the mirror can be glued. The surfaces on which the composition will be applied must first be degreased. The use of glue on the back side is possible not only in stripes, but also in dots. When fixing a large mirror, you should prepare supports. When working, it is necessary to observe safety measures: provide access to fresh air, use personal protective equipment, hold the can or tube of glue in such a way as to prevent contact with the eyes. In addition, you should make sure that the product has not expired.
To the furniture
In order to save space, mirrors are often fixed on furniture, it can be wood, plywood, chipboard, MDF. Before gluing the mirror to the wood, all surfaces should be degreased with a solvent. What glue can be used for these purposes is specially designed or colorless construction silicone.
When choosing how to glue mirrors to plywood and similar materials, you should rely on the weight and size of the reflector. For a small, lightweight product, you can use liquid nails, but for a massive one, it is better to take a more reliable composition. What else you should pay attention to is the condition of the surface - if it is not covered with varnish or a laminating compound, it must be sanded with sandpaper and degreased.
If you are going to stick a mirror on a cabinet door, the latter should first be removed from its hinges. Then attach the product to it and outline it around the perimeter. After degreasing, stick double-sided tape on the door in strips of small width at a distance of 10-20 cm, depending on the width. Apply glue between the strips. After the composition has dried, the door can be placed back on the cabinet.
Check dimensions
There should not be a gap between the mirror and the door
Degrease the surfaces of the elements
Apply glue
Glue the mirror
To Wall
It’s not difficult to choose wall adhesive for a mirror. The industry produces different types that allow you to attach the reflector to metal or concrete. But what you can use to glue a mirror to walls whose surface is covered with wallpaper is mounting adhesive. However, it is worth considering: if the mirror weighs more than two kilograms, there is a possibility that the wallpaper will not withstand the load and will slide off along with the glue.
The concrete wall should be pre-coated with a primer, removing any unevenness. If you plan to attach a large mirror, first apply glue to the surface of the wall and distribute it evenly with a notched trowel. If it is painted, it does not matter what glue you use to plant the product. The main thing is to degrease the surface well and walk over it with sandpaper.
Before gluing the mirror, it is worth creating the optimal temperature in the room - from 10 to 30 ° C. The lower its value, the longer it will take for the glue to harden.
Prepare the mirror
Apply glue dots
Attach the mirror to the wall and support it
Secure the mirror with light pressure along the entire perimeter
Useful tips
It is best to carry out the work of gluing the rear view mirror at an ambient temperature of at least +20 degrees. Otherwise, you should drive the car into a heated garage or at least warm up the interior well by turning on the heater. If a two-component adhesive is used, it is recommended to apply the activator to the glass, and the adhesive itself to the mirror. Other useful tips when repairing mirrors are:
- when using one-component glue, it is applied only to the metal base of the bracket;
- if glue comes out of the seams, it must be removed as soon as possible, since after hardening it will be difficult to do this;
- After the glue has dried, you should leave the car with the windows open for a while, as most compounds emit an unpleasant odor.
When disconnecting the rear view mirror, do not be upset. If you have high-quality glue, this problem can be eliminated in a matter of minutes, and you won’t have to spend money on paying for auto repair services.
To the tile
Similar to the previous methods, before starting the process, you should clean the surface of the tile from debris. For degreasing, use alcohol, acetone or white spirit. This should be done in several stages, each time waiting for it to dry.
Some problem is the difference in height between adjacent tiles, which can lead to the mirror being skewed and not fitting tightly. To avoid this, you should level the surface by applying a layer of plaster to it. Before gluing the mirror to the wall in the bathroom, it is recommended to apply a sealant.
If the mirror has a large area, it is necessary to install a supporting base.
How to glue two mirrors
The need to glue two surfaces together arises when an old mirror that has lost its appearance cannot be removed. To complete the task as efficiently as possible, you need to apply a suitable composition around the perimeter of both parts and press them against each other. After complete drying, treat the end gaps with sealant.
Before gluing mirrors with edges, you should take into account that connecting the side edges requires maximum precision and accuracy. The end side of an already hanging product must first be cleaned of dirt and dust. You should not remove the mirror, since during subsequent installation the small bonding area may not be able to withstand it and may burst.
To seal a fragile mirror surface, it is important to take into account the weight and dimensions of the product, the material to which it will be attached, and the temperature in the room. Bonding will be reliable only if you choose a high-quality composition and act strictly according to the instructions.
Apply double-sided tape to one of the mirrors, remove the protective tape and connect the products
