Hi all, I have a mirror that was glued to sheetrock in a bathroom. I was able to save the mirror without breaking it when I removed it from the wall. Now that I've made the repairs to the wall and hung new sheetrock I want to put the mirror back up where it was. How would I remove the glue/construction adhesive that's stuck on the back of the mirror?

Thanks in advance!

Tough one. The backs of mirrors are typically painted to protect the aluminized coating from oxidizing. Damage that and your mirror is ruined. Paint doesn't stick very well to glass so it's a delicate procedure.

Its worth trying because the mirror is trash if you throw it out...and its trash if you ruin it trying.... I'd try delicately with a hairdryer....see if it softens enough to scrape gently off with a fingernail.

Don't get it too hot as it might break the glass.

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Originally Posted by smoothy

Tough one. The backs of mirrors are typically painted to protect the aluminized coating from oxidizing. Damage that and your mirror is ruined. Paint doesn't stick very well to glass so it's a delicate procedure.

Its worth trying because the mirror is trash if you throw it out...and its trash if you ruin it trying.... I'd try delicately with a hairdryer....see if it softens enough to scrape gently off with a fingernail.

Don't get it too hot as it might break the glass.

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Hmmm, when you say "…with a fingernail". I'm talking about globs of glue. The mirror is about 3ft x 3ft. I can see using some kind of heat source to soften it I guess. Thanks.

Would like to know if anyone else has any suggestions too please.

Edit: I actually just tried a few spots using a spackle knife and its coming off pretty easily. Thanks!

Hair dryer is about the most gentile heat source you can use. Anything more powerful is likely to break the glass. (unequal thermal expansion)

Solvents might soften and remove the coating on the back. Good luck. Its one heck of a job to do.

Maybe you won't have to remove it all...just the thickest parts and use globs of new glue where there is none now. Or use perimeter brackets.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smoothy

Hair dryer is about the most gentile heat source you can use. Anything more powerful is likely to break the glass. (unequal thermal expansion)

Solvents might soften and remove the coating on the back. Good luck. Its one heck of a job to do.

Maybe you won't have to remove it all...just the thickest parts and use globs of new glue where there is none now. Or use perimeter brackets.

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Hi again and thanks. It looks like most of it is coming off with a spackle knife.