The biggest priority that we had was to paint the walls, cabinets, and hardware (all of these updates have their own posts if you're interested!).
After that, we decided to update the mirrors by putting a darker, wooden frame around them, a la MirrorMate (a company that makes great frame kits for bathroom mirrors-my mom got hers through them).
We definitely could not afford to pay anybody to do this project for us, and why should we when we're capable of doing it ourselves?
The first step was to removed the weird, ugly, old, beveled mirrored trim around the mirrors.
We thought that it was just double sided taped on, but when I got them off I discovered that it was both double sided taped on AND glued, so this method works for both of those!
By the way, these 'before' pictures were taken pre-paint and hardware upgrade.
Jump in for a step-by-step on removing these mirrored frames!
Step 1.
Safety is always first! I grabbed a big roll of duct tape and I taped up the first piece of mirror I was going to try and tackle. This is really important, because it is so easy for this stuff to break, and when it does it can do some serious damage to you or your walls.
Step 2.
I used a box of dental floss for this part. I've heard that you can use things like guitar strings, etc, but I had floss on hand and it seemed thin enough to do the job.
Step 3.
I ran the floss down the corner of the trim where the two pieces met and separated the mirror from the filler. I just put one end of the floss behind the corner and pulled slowly but like I meant it down towards the inner corner.
Once I was able to get my floss between the frame and the main mirror the real work began.
Step 4.
This was by far the worst part. I wriggled the floss back and forth and slowly moved down the mirror. At some point I had to put gloves on because the floss was really pushing into my fingers.
It took a long time for that first one, so don't get discouraged if you think it isn't working.
Also, the floss broke every few seconds.
It takes a few minutes to figure out how much pressure to put on the wiggling floss to scoot it down but not break it instantly, so again, don't get discouraged.
Step 5.
Once I could see the separation between the frame and the mirror I stuck a putty knife in to try and save my poor, aching fingers the misery of the floss-wiggling. This helped a little bit but be careful...I could feel that the frame was about to break because it was so securely mounted, so I went back to the floss.
Eventually the frames all came off, one by one and completely in tact.
See the dots and the line? They were both taped and glued to be mounted to the mirror. Annoying.
One more heads up.. If your light fixtures overhang the mirror, make sure they're dismounted so that you don't pull a frame piece off and slam it into the light fixture. If yours is like mine, though, you won't even be able to get to the frame without removing the light fixture.
Finished!
I bought the wood to make the new frame and I'm just waiting on Ryan to cut it to size for me, then I'll do a separate post on how to mount those and what it looks like when it's finished!
Finally someone with mirrors like mine! I've been wanting to upgrade the mirrors in our house but had no idea how to remove the mirrored trim. That was the only thing keeping me from doing it. I've seen a lot of tutorials on how to add the moulding but none of them had this kind of trim. Thank you for your post I LOVED it! Now I'm gonna get working as soon as I get a chance! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis went perfectly to your instructions. I used fishing line however. A little stronger than floss. Thanks. It was so easy.
ReplyDeleteMine is wood trim I would like to remove so I can update the trim. It's already loose so I'll try this method. I don't want to damage the wall mirrors.
ReplyDeleteMine is wood trim I would like to remove so I can update the trim. It's already loose so I'll try this method. I don't want to damage the wall mirrors.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU SO MUCH! I've been dying to get this early 90's trim off my living room mirror. The floss worked amazingly well, and FAST. I thought we were stuck with a hideous mirror and now we can make a modern frame. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! We used fishing wire and it came right off!
ReplyDeleteHas anybody successfully removed the adhesive leaving a simple frameless mirror?
ReplyDeleteTry either "Goof Off" or "Goo Gone". They're available at any hardware store. Goof Off seems to be solvent-based and stronger than Goo Gone, which seems based on orange oil, but they both will work. You may find that you have to lit the product soak into the adhesive for a half-hour or so, and it may take three or four treatments, but I've always achieved perfect results with both products.
DeleteThank you so much. We were getting ready to replace 2 big mirrors in the master bathroom during our remodel. I used your tips and have 1/2 of the edging off. You are a life saver.
ReplyDeleteI too have struggled to remove this until I read your article. I tried dental floss, fishing line and floral wire with minor progress. I then tried 20lb picture wire and what a difference it made. I wore leather gloves to protect my hands. Thanks for posting your message.
ReplyDeleteSo this is the first tutorial on removing a mirrored frame around a mirror. Been searching for weeks. But my bathroom mirror is 90 1/2 inches wide and 39 inches in height. Removing that width will be an incredible job. And I have NO help. But if and when I try it, I will use these instructions with the 20lb picture wire as one of the ladies commented on above. THank you
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be easier to use fishing line instead of floss?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this. I want give a recommendation instead of string, etc. I used a tile scraper (link below)and it has a long razor blade that slid under the mirror and cut through like butter. I was finished with the project in about 25 mins. Also, amazing kudos for the duct tape recommendation.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.homedepot.com/p/Anvil-4-in-Glass-and-Tile-Scraper-GTS-ANV/309996591?g_store=222&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US