How to Repair Glass Mirrors

Clean the mirror with a household mirror cleaner. Use a micro-fiber cloth to remove the cleanser and dry the mirror.

Remove the original backing and silver, if needed, from the mirror while wearing rubber gloves, safety goggles and a gas mask. If your re-silvering kit does not come with the chemicals to remove the backing from a mirror, use an acetone-based varnish remover. Use a mixture of water and nitric acid to remove the silver from a mirror.

Clean the mirror’s glass with the cleanser that comes with a re-silvering kit. The kit should also come with a special cloth or towel to wipe off the cleanser.

Place the glass on a level surface and apply the re-silvering mixture that comes in the kit.

Apply the silver backing to the mirror and allow it to set for 10 minutes. The solution will initially look clear but will turn a silver color as it dries.

Rinse the mirror under cold water, wipe the surface with a cloth gently and allow the mirror to dry.

Apply the dark paint that comes in the re-silvering kit to the back of the mirror. Allow the paint to dry.