mack9110000
Established Member
Mirror is stuck to melamine faced MDF, can anyone offer an easy solution?
mack
TIA
mack
TIA
Removing a mirror stuck with silicon
- Thread starter mack9110000
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mtr1
Established Member
Can you get anything behind it?? I once used an old rule, 2ft I think, and sharpened one edge and kind of sawed through the silicone/mirror adhesive.
Lidl had a specific "silicone remover" in their special offers a few weeks back. Haven't had cause to try it yet, but if they can sell it, it implies that such stuff must be available elsewhere. It's a liquid with a strong "organic solvent" smell, but no idea what is the main constituent.
mack9110000
Established Member
I was thinking "solvent", mtr1 but, you've got me thinking :idea: hacksaw blade,wire, etc, and I do have an old flexible 2' rule, thanks,
mack
mack
ossieosborne
Established Member
Mack
If you have access, put a thin piece of wire (longer than the width of the mirror) between the mirror and the MFC. Hold the ends of the wire, one in each hand, and saw down through the silicon. I've seen windscreen fitters use this method to cut through the sealant when removing car screens.
HTH
Oz
If you have access, put a thin piece of wire (longer than the width of the mirror) between the mirror and the MFC. Hold the ends of the wire, one in each hand, and saw down through the silicon. I've seen windscreen fitters use this method to cut through the sealant when removing car screens.
HTH
Oz
stick packing tape over the mirror first so that if it does crack then at least it all stays together.
Lons
Established Member
Silicone remover is freely available (Screwfix, Toolstation, DIY sheds ebay etc), but I suggest you don't use it or a solvent as it has a nasty habbit of atacking and degrading the silvered back of mirrors.
I agree with Oz an personally would use a wire if available, (wrap the ends around some dowelling to make handles), having had to replace windscreens on both our cars within the last month
I can vouch for how effective the method is. Failing that the old steel rule works.
Can you be sure it is silicone and not mirrorfix which is almost impossible to remove without breaking the mirror?
Bob
I agree with Oz an personally would use a wire if available, (wrap the ends around some dowelling to make handles), having had to replace windscreens on both our cars within the last month
I can vouch for how effective the method is. Failing that the old steel rule works.Can you be sure it is silicone and not mirrorfix which is almost impossible to remove without breaking the mirror?
Bob
AES
Established Member
+1 for all the above.
I used a long length of picture hanging wire (the braided/twisted brass-coloured stuff from the local DIY emporium) with a couple of bits of dowel as handles (cheese cutter). Was tempted to try acetone but fortunately tried it on an old bit of mirror first and it took the silvering straight off as soon as I touched it with a rag or something.
FWIW, I THINK acetone is a primary constiuent of both silicon remover (and superglue remover - cyano acrylate (Sp?).
AES
I used a long length of picture hanging wire (the braided/twisted brass-coloured stuff from the local DIY emporium) with a couple of bits of dowel as handles (cheese cutter). Was tempted to try acetone but fortunately tried it on an old bit of mirror first and it took the silvering straight off as soon as I touched it with a rag or something.
FWIW, I THINK acetone is a primary constiuent of both silicon remover (and superglue remover - cyano acrylate (Sp?).
AES
mack9110000
Established Member
Pretty sure it's silicone, one mirror came off with just a scraper, leaving the residue on the mirror and melamine.Thanks for all the great ideas, I have some picture hanging wire too, will see which works out best.I have an idea about a rod saw and some string may try that too.
mack
