Simple instructions on how to remove small and deep scratches from a mirror with your own hands

Mirrors are presented in the design of any apartment. They not only perform their direct function, but also decorate the interior, visually increasing the space.

During use, scratches may appear on the reflective smooth surface. Such defects spoil the entire impression of the mirror and require elimination.

We will tell you in the article whether and how to remove scratches from a mirror.

Is it possible to remove the damage?

At its core a mirror is a smooth surface whose main purpose is to reflect light. Despite the strength and thickness of the material, the mirror is fragile. If handled carelessly, scratches can easily remain on the surface.

You can eliminate minor damage and add shine at home using folk or special means. But you won’t be able to deal with serious damage on your own.

Home Recipes

You can smooth out microcracks and make them less noticeable using simple home recipes. To do this, you will need simple tools that you already have in your household.

Silicone sealant

To carry out the work you will need:

• glass cleaner;
• silicone colorless sealant;
• toothpick;
• stationery knife;
• lint-free cloth or rag.

Procedure:

1. Apply glass and mirror cleaner to the surface of the mirror.
2. Rub the liquid in with a lint-free cloth until the surface is clean and dry.
3. Using a toothpick, carefully apply the sealant precisely along the cracks.
4. Let the product dry.
5. Carefully remove any remaining sealant protruding onto the surface with a knife.
6. Treat with glass cleaner.

Walnuts

Walnut kernels will help camouflage the defect. For treatment, you can use a piece of the nucleolus to rub the area with the crack.

But the best result is achieved when the kernels are ground into flour. Enough to work a small quantity. Just a little olive oil is added to the resulting powder so that the composition becomes paste-like. And the resulting paste is rubbed into the mirror.

Vegetable oil

To rub a mirror with cracks, any available vegetable oil can be used. Just a few drops are enough to treat a scratch.

Vinegar and mustard

To work, you will need table vinegar and mustard powder. Both ingredients are taken in equal proportions and rubbed into the mirror surface. Polishing completes the treatment.

Toothpaste

White toothpaste can be used to polish the mirror. without color inclusions. A small amount of paste is squeezed out of the tube onto a sponge and rubbed into the surface that requires restoration. The rubbing movements should be clockwise.

Nail polish

Use clear nail polish to disguise scratches.To hide the defect, varnish must be carefully applied to the damage and rubbed in.

Foil

If the surface damage has affected the back of the glass, a different approach will be needed to repair the defect and restore the reflectivity of the mirror.

For restoration work, ordinary foil can be used. When preparing the surface for work, it must be cleaned, and the mirror itself must be removed from the frame and free access to the back side.

You will need a small piece of foil - a little larger than the scratch itself, which requires masking. The mirror is turned over with its back side up and wiped. Using tape, secure the foil to the area where there is a scratch on the front side. The piece of foil must be absolutely even.

Special means

To perform work to improve the condition of the mirror surface, special preparations can be used.

Paste GOI

GOI paste is a special composition for grinding work. The main component is chromium oxide. The paste is used very widely - not only for caring for mirror surfaces, but also for polishing:

• glass,
• ceramics,
• metal alloys, etc.

How to use:

• grind the substance into powder;
• using a cotton swab, apply the drug to the damaged areas in a thin layer;
• rub and polish each area for at least a quarter of an hour.

Polishing with GOI paste must last for 15 minutes for there to be a visible effect; the exposure time cannot be shortened. The price for 20 grams is on average 50 rubles.

Cerium oxide

Cerium oxide is a chemical compound that can be purchased in powder form.. This substance is used in ceramics, for processing jewelry stones, removing scratches on mirrors, etc.The product is available in packaging of various weights.

To repair a mirror and eliminate defects, cerium oxide is diluted to form a paste. The surface requiring treatment is moistened and the prepared composition is applied.

Periodically moistening the surface, polish with a felt cloth. Adding water helps prevent premature hardening of the mass. If necessary, add “gruel” and continue rubbing. Price for 0.1 kg is about 500 rubles.

If deep damage

More difficult work awaits if the scratches on the glass are deep. Simple rubbing in this case will be ineffective. A recipe using GOI paste and epoxy glue will come to the rescue.

Work order:

1. Clean the mirror using glass cleaner. This will degrease the surface and prepare it for further processing.
2. Dry the mirror.
3. Fill the cracks with epoxy glue. When filling cracks, the epoxy should be distributed evenly, without air bubbles or unfilled cavities.
4. Excess filler should be removed with a cotton swab or carefully cut off with a utility knife.
5. Leave for 4 days.
6. Polish the surface using GOI paste.

Prevention measures

Caring for a mirror surface should include the following points:

• Carrying out regular cleaning using special products or homemade compounds;
• exclude exposure to abrasive or other surfaces, including the hard sides of sponges;
• It is advisable to have complex damage and chips repaired by a specialist;
• mirrors do not tolerate constant moisture well, so mirror surfaces that fog up in the bathroom must be wiped dry regularly;
• Rubbing the mirror with shaving foam will help prevent the mirror from fogging.

Any dirt that gets on the mirror must be removed immediately.

5 recommendations

Expert advice will help restore the mirror, smoothing out existing damage:

1. The use of sharp objects on the surface of the mirror should be limited. The utility knife used should be used at an angle when performing work so as not to create fresh scratches.
2. If the scratch is located close to the frame, it is advisable to remove the mirror before carrying out work.
3. Using any of the recipes, you must strictly adhere to the specified technology, strictly maintaining the time for drying of the compositions.
4. When applying the repair product to the surface of the mirror, you must act carefully and try not to smear the product over a large area.
5. You should not use several recipes at the same time, as the result may not be predictable.

If you are interested in how to remove small and deep scratches from various surfaces and objects, take a look at this chapter.

Conclusion

How to remove scratches from a mirror depends on the extent and depth of the damage.. Simple home remedies and special preparations designed to repair reflective surfaces can be used.

In case of minor damage and high-quality work, the defect after treatment will be completely hidden and will not be visually noticeable.