How to Get Silvering Off of a Mirror

Cover your work surface with newspaper to protect it in event of a spill. Put the tray on top of the newspaper and the mirror inside the tray. Pull on rubber gloves and eye protection.

Remove the wooden parts framing the mirror. If the back of the mirror is painted, you must first use a paint stripper to remove the paint. Clean the area according to the paint stripper's instructions once the paint is removed. Reset your work area.

Open the nitric acid and use the eyedropper to drop nitric acid into your beaker or bowl. Pour a small amount of water into the bowl as well. The actual strength of the nitric acid will vary according to the amount of silvering on the mirror. Start with a two-to-one ratio (two parts water to one part nitric acid). Add water or nitric acid as needed achieve the desired solution strength.

Use your brush to paint the solution onto the mirror's silvering. Cover the entire mirror. Let it sit for up to an hour, testing it every 10 to 15 minutes using a toothbrush. When brushed, the silvering should come right off.

Brush off the silvering, applying more solution as needed for stubborn parts. Use the paint scraper to peel off the silvering as well. Use a towel to wipe off the remains of the silvering from the entire mirror.

Clean the glass with soap and water. Wash the front and the back. Dry the mirror with one of the towels. The glass is now ready for re-silvering.