Knowing how to remove adhesive properly from a mirror can be the difference in ruining the mirror or preserving its beauty. Some adhesives can be horribly difficult, and using the wrong products can affect the quality of the glass and the reflective properties of the mirror. Here's how you can remove the gooey mess without damaging your mirror.
Materials Needed
- Vegetable oil
- Hairspray
- Clean sponge
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Soft lint free cloth
- Scraper
- Nail polish remover
Step 1: Determine the Bond
If a child has simply placed some stickers on the mirror, these are easily removed. If you've used an epoxy or other glue like adhesive, the job will be more difficult and require different materials. Before you head to the store or start digging through your cabinets, figure out how tight the bond has formed. A sticker can be removed with everyday household items. Epoxy may require something different.
Step 2: Try to Peel Adhesive Off (for stickers, paper, or tape)
Use the cloth and dampen the adhesive. Let it sit for a few minutes, and try to peel it off by hand. If the adhesive doesn't give easily, stop. You don't want to damage the mirror by prying off something that won't budge. Don't be surprised if a sticker peels off partially, leaving some residue or paper behind. This will be removed in the next step.
Step 3: Use Vegetable Oil (for stickers, paper, or tape)
Vegetable oil will remove sticky residue and excess paper from a mirror easily without damaging the mirror. It's also a safe starting point for other types of adhesive that you can't identify. Use a clean cloth without lint and place a small drop or two on the cloth. Rub the oil gently over the adhesive in a circular motion. The adhesive should start to ball up, and can easily be picked off the mirror at that point.
Step 4: Dealing with Epoxy
Epoxy can be difficult to remove. If you have hooks you have installed on your mirror, or a smaller make-up mirror with magnification, it is probably stuck on with epoxy. Don't try to pry these items off. You can chip the mirror easily if you do this. Instead, locate the point where the epoxy is placed. Soak a sponge in nail polish remover ( it must have acetone to work) and press the sponge over the epoxy point. If you are unable to reach it with a sponge, use cotton balls or swabs. Allow the nail polish remover to sit on the affected area for at least 15 minutes. Use a scraper to try to push the epoxy off. Be careful with the scraper to avoid chipping or scratching the mirror. If the epoxy won't budge, you may have to use this method several times to soften the adhesive enough to remove it.
Tips
- Hairspray can be sprayed on stubborn stickers such as bumper stickers to eat away at the adhesive. If the area is large, or the vegetable oil isn't working, try using some standard hairspray. This will leave a film behind, so be sure to clean the mirror after the removal.
- Don't use ammonia or gasoline to remove anything from a mirror. An old wives tale says gasoline and ammonia will remove sticky residue, and it will, but it's dangerous and can damage the mirror.
Article source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-remove-adhesive-from-mirrors-dos-and-donts