Are you curious about what causes mirrors to tarnish? Mirror tarnishing is a common issue that homeowners have to deal with especially for old mirrors. This does not only affect the look of the mirror but also provides a distorted reflection. Find out more about the causes of mirror tarnishing and how it can be repaired below.
What causes mirrors to tarnish? Mirror tarnishing is primarily caused by moisture that penetrates between the glass and metal layers. Due to constant exposure to water, the silvering in the mirror or the stuff that makes the back of the mirror shiny will start to oxidize and turn black. Aside from that, the chemicals used in cleaning the mirror, especially those that contain ammonia also caused tarnishing.
A mirror will start to tarnish when its protective coatings are compromised or when the silver nitrate in the mirror is exposed. All mirrors are vulnerable to tarnishing. Many factors can cause a mirror to tarnish including air particles, moisture, and cleaning products. Let us learn more about this below.
Why Does Mirror Tarnish?
A common cause of mirror tarnishing is moisture. This is why mirrors in the bathroom are usually prone to tarnishing. The steam from hot showers causes moisture to stick into the mirror. Aside from that, water splashes from the sink can also cause the corners of the mirror to tarnish. Aside from that, the chemicals that are used in cleaning solutions can also lead to tarnishing. When cleaning a mirror, do not spray the cleaner directly into the mirror. Rather, spray the cleaner into the towel and wipe it into the mirror. Avoid using cleaners that contain ammonia.
Constant exposure to moisture will take its toll on the mirror and will start to tarnish. Regardless the mirror is many years old or you have just purchased it a couple of months ago; it will start to tarnish when exposed constantly to moisture.
How to Repair Tarnished Mirrors?
There are many ways to repair a tarnished mirror which includes resilvering or adding a frame into it. If you have a tarnished mirror, you will notice that there are two types of black spots present. Some spots are opaque. These are damages on the reflective coating of the mirror, while others are spots from where the backing has been scraped which allows you to see the back of the mirror. Below are two ways how to repair tarnished mirrors.
Option 1 – Mirror Resilvering
One of the options that you can do is to resilver the mirror. This is the most effective way to remove black edges. For this process, you need to use chemicals that will strip the backing of the mirror. Once the backing is completely removed, you can start resilvering it. If you choose this option, you should let professionals do it because it requires skills. While there are resilvering kits that you can purchase for a DIY project, there is a possibility that the result will not turn out the way that you want it to be.
Option 2 – Mirror Framing
Another option that you can choose is framing the mirror. You can choose this option if the tarnishing appears only at the edges of the mirror. On the other hand, building a frame for the mirror can be a challenge especially if you are not a handy person. Aside from this, framing the mirror is not a good option if the tarnished areas are located at the center of the mirror and not on the edges.
✅ Video – Re-silvering an Old Mirror
Angel Gilding shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to re-silver and old mirror. In the video, the common questions asked about mirror re-silvering are also discussed. Watch the video for more information.
How to Hide Tarnish from the Edges of the Mirror?
To hide tarnish from the edges of the mirror, you can use decorative beads, mirror stripping, and liquid lead. Tarnishing in the edges of the mirror can be caused by a cleaning product that has penetrated the back of the mirror. Removing the spots is impossible and the only solution is to paint the mirror with a new finish or hide the spots. Below are some of the options that you can use to hide tarnish from the edges of the mirror.
Use Decorative Beads
One way to hide tarnish located at the edges of the mirror is to use decorative beads. Choose from a wide array of decorative beads that are available. You can even choose a design based on the theme of the room. Use glue to attach the beads to the mirror.
Use Mirror Stripping
Another option that you can try is mirror stripping. Place mirror stripping around the edge of the mirror to hide the tarnished areas. We have also shared this article titled, what to do with old mirrors? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
Use Liquid Lead
You can also use liquid lead to hide the tarnished edges of the mirror. To do this, remove the mirror from the wall and lay it flat on the ground. Using liquid lead, outline some designs on the edges of the mirror. You can then fill the edges using stained glass paint.
Why Does Bathroom Mirrors Tarnish?
Bathroom mirrors tarnish because of the moist and humid environment that it is exposed to. The contaminants in the air get into the silver backing of the bathroom mirror and cause tarnishing. Moreover, using the wrong cleaning agents or soapy water can lead to tarnishing. This is because the liquids can accumulate on the edges of the mirror which eventually causes the backing to peel from the mirror glass. This chemical reaction can result in discoloration at the edges of the mirror.
Can You Fix a Tarnished Mirror?
You can fix a tarnished mirror as long as the damage is salvageable. You might need to replace all of the discolored parts of the mirror. If the tarnished areas are only at the edges of the mirror, you can have it cut by a professional and seal its edges using a high-quality sealant. You can also check out this article that discusses why your mirror is turning yellow. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
What is it Called when a Mirror Starts to Turn Black?
When a mirror starts to turn black, it is called mirror rot or mirror desilvering. This happens when the shiny surface of the mirror starts to fade into black. You might notice small black dots in the corner of the edges of your mirror. This is where tarnishing starts and should be fixed immediately to avoid spreading.
What is Mirror Resilvering?
Mirror resilvering is the process of stripping and adding silver nitrate into the mirror. To resilver the mirror, you first need to remove it from the frame. Take note that when you resilver a mirror, it will not affect the glass. This means that any scratches, cracks, or chips that are in the glass will not be fixed. As a matter of fact, resilvering the mirror can make the cracks and scratches more noticeable. You can also read this article that discusses what mirror desilvering is. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
How to Resilver a Tarnished Section of a Mirror?
When you resilver a tarnished section of the mirror, you need to check the backing paint to determine if it is strong and attached securely to the glass. If the backing paint is damaged and you spray silvering chemicals into it, the backing paint will be lifted away from the mirror. Start by stripping the entire mirror and resilver it again. Bear in mind that resilvering the mirror will not affect the glass. By removing the old paint and silver from the mirror, you can have the option of resilvering a small area of the mirror many times.
To do this, you need to purchase a silvering kit and extra-fine pumice. Mix distilled water and pumice to create a paste and apply it to the affected tarnished areas of the mirror. Next, apply resilver to the mirror using the silvering kit. You can apply a second layer of silver if the first layer is not thick enough. Allow the silver to thoroughly dry before applying the paint from the silvering kit.
How to Prevent Bathroom Mirrors from Tarnishing?
To prevent bathroom mirrors from tarnishing, you need to seal them. Aside from that, you need to take preventative measures. Because the bathroom has a moist and humid environment, there is a chance that water can get into the mirror. If the mirror is placed above the sink, you need to be careful so that water will not splash into it. You also need to wipe the mirror to get rid of the steam after you take a shower. It also helps to ventilate the bathroom by opening windows or using a humidifier.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses what causes mirrors to tarnish. We have found out that many factors can cause mirrors to tarnish. These factors include moisture exposure and old age. Moreover, we have shared tips on how to repair tarnish from mirrors. Thank you for reading!