How to use glue for mirrors?
Content:
When decorating interiors, glue for mirrors is often needed to fix glass to surfaces of various materials. If you purchased the finished product in a frame, it can be fixed to the wall using ordinary nails or special fasteners. The fantasy of the owners often goes beyond the limits of banal decisions and tells them the most unusual ideas. Reflecting elements can be scattered among the tiled cladding, decorating doors, partitions, furniture. If you have a small narrow room or a hallway resembling a dungeon, arrange a mirror wall - the room will immediately begin to look more spacious and brighter.
Adhesive requirements for mirrors in dry rooms and in the bathroom
It is important not only to decide how to glue the mirror to the wall, but also to choose the right material for the job. Increasing and decreasing the dimensions of glass at temperature differences may not coincide with changes in the size of the material on which the mirror is glued. If the composition after drying forms a solid substance, tension will appear in the decorative elements, they may fall off from the base or crack. If the connecting layer is elastic, but well adheres to both the glass and the base material, everything will hold firmly and will last a long time.
When fixing mirrors and other decorative elements, not only the strength and reliability of the connection is important. Often mirror elements decorate living rooms, where people are constantly, children play. If, over time or under the influence of temperature, the glue begins to release toxic compounds, the health of all family members will suffer. When buying, be sure to look in the instructions if this composition can be used in residential premises.
Other requirements apply to glue for mirrors:
- ease of use - glue for mirrors should be easily applied to the surface and form a thin uniform film;
- in the composition should not be acids and alkalis;
- the drug should not destroy not only glass, but also the amalgam;
- it is desirable that the composition quickly sets, otherwise you will have to hold the mirror for a long time with your hands or install complex fixing structures;
- the glue should not change color when dried so that there are no noticeable spots on the edges of the structure.
Some owners like to mirror bathrooms and showers, and sometimes even baths. In this case, the composition must withstand high humidity and temperature. An unreliable connection will not only make it necessary to carry out the work again - injuries can also occur due to poor glue. Fallen glass will break into many fragments, sweeping them all out will be very difficult. Someone may step on a sharp fragment with a bare foot and injure the foot.
What types of glue are used to install mirrors?
The chemical industry produces many kinds of glue. Any finishing material can be attached to the building structure without dowels, screws and other metal fittings, adhesives create a strong and reliable seam.
All the compositions that are used to fix the mirrors can be divided into 3 groups, each of which has both advantages and disadvantages:
- solvent based products;
- silicone compounds;
- hybrid options.
Solvent glue is the cheapest material.When choosing a brand, see what is written in the instruction: the composition is allowed specifically for mirrors or just for glass. Sometimes components that can destroy the amalgam are introduced into the drug. At the first moment, such a defect is not always noticeable, but spots appear over time, the decorative element loses its attractive appearance.
Silicone compounds are chemically neutral, do not cause undesirable reactions in contact with other materials. The film provides good adhesion between the mirror and the base, does not exfoliate. When working, remember that the drying time of silicone compounds is longer than solvents. Such materials are more expensive, but the quality and appearance of the finished structure are better in the end.
The easiest way to work with hybrid formulations. If you do not have repair experience, give preference to this option. The glue does not contain solvents, it can be used both for fixing various structures and for cementing. Such material is expensive, but the connection is very high quality.
How to glue mirrors on the wall?
When creating an interior, it is not always possible to hang a mirror in a beautiful frame on the wall - sometimes it is required that the reflecting surface organically fit into the decoration, it seems to be a fragment of a single design. The easiest option is to use double-sided tape. Press one side of the adhesive tape firmly against the amalgam. Level the base, let the mortar or putty dry and press the glass firmly against the wall. This method is suitable for installing small light fragments, but a huge heavy structure will come off under its own weight.
More often, adhesive tape is used as an auxiliary material. It is glued to the amalgam, then the second protective layer is removed and the glue points are applied to the adhesive tape with a gun. When you press the mirror against the wall, the adhesive tape will help fix the glass in the right position until the main compound grasps.
Carefully level the base before installation. Read the instructions and learn how to use the glue. When working with each brand has its own subtleties. Not always write about them in the annotations, many tricks of the master mastered independently. For example, when working with Moment of Installation glue, it is recommended to immediately press the mirror against the wall immediately after applying the composition, tear it off immediately, and install it completely after 3-4 minutes. Do not hesitate to consult with an experienced specialist and ask how to glue the mirror to the wall - it will reveal many professional secrets to you.
Tip
When installing heavy mirrors, use “Super Tape Moment” material for fixing. Several strips will reliably hold massive glass, and in a day the fixing tape can be removed.
How to fix the mirror in the cabinet door?
Often mirrors are used to decorate furniture. You can install them on the side surfaces, trim the cabinet cavity from the inside. If you are starting work for the first time, it is better not to take immediately for a complex connection. For training, try installing a small glass on the lid of the medicine cabinet or a box of shampoos and gels in the bathroom.
Before sticking the mirror, remove the cabinet door from the hinges and lay it in a horizontal position. Mark the installation location, and then stick several strips of double-sided tape on the door. Apply silicone-based adhesive between the adhesive tape.
Remove the protective layer from the adhesive tape, firmly press the mirror to the door surface. Make sure the glass is locked in position. If the mirror is small, thin and light, you can hang the door in place in a few minutes. It is better to leave a heavy structure in a horizontal position for a day, so that the composition grasps well.
What composition will the mirror stick to the mirror or other materials?
The easiest way to solve the problem is if you want to glue the mirror to the mirror. Take any glue, the instructions of which indicate that it can be used to mount mirrors.If the composition created good adhesion to one surface and did not destroy the amalgam, then the same will happen with another glass. Use the material according to the instructions, and the connection will be strong and reliable.
If you need to stick a mirror on plastic, concrete or other material, see that the composition is suitable for both the reflective surface and the base.
The following brands have gained great popularity:
- "Titanium";
- Abro;
- "Moment of Installation";
- Ottoseal Silicone Composition;
- Schenk.
Abro mirror adhesive is based on epoxy resin. It sets in 5 minutes, glues different materials well. When the composition dries completely, it remains transparent, leaves no ugly marks and yellowish smudges. Such a compound can be used in children's and medical institutions, it will not suffer from frequent exposure to disinfectant solutions. You can glue mirror fragments in the bathroom and shower, humidity will not adversely affect the seams.
"Titan" is made on the basis of resins and rubber. After drying, the connective film retains its elasticity - the glass does not deform and does not crack when the temperature changes. This glue can also be used in showers and other wet areas.
The sparkling mirrors give the interior a mysterious magical look. You can paste mirror-like sheets over the entire wall, and the room will seem twice as spacious. Small inserts and fragments will create an interesting play of light, give the interior brightness. Using glue, you can fix reflective glass to any surface: plastic, wood, concrete, metal. Use the most durable and perfect compounds, find the most suitable adhesive for mirrors - and create a unique individual design of your apartment!