Required materials and tools
The key to successful work is the use of exclusively high-quality materials. First of all, you need to purchase special silicone for mirrors and glass at a hardware store.
Silicone for mirrors
If a store offers you liquid nails marked “for mirrors,” you can safely use them.
Next we will need a composition for degreasing the surface. You can use white alcohol or another universal solvent. And of course, buy a mirror of the right size or order it from a glass workshop.
Be sure to degrease the surface before applying glue.
Tools that will be useful:
- gun for applying silicone;
Silicone gun
tape measure or large ruler;
Roulette
- screwdriver;
Screwdriver - rags for applying degreaser;
Rag and degreaser - weight to press the mirror material against the door.
Glue the mirror to the closet
Let's talk about how to glue a mirror to a cabinet. The mirror canvas looks good, it transforms the room and the interior in it. As a rule, the door area does not allow the use of large panels. Mark with a pencil the points where the boundaries of the mirror will be located. This is where we need to attach it. Before gluing, you can degrease the inner surface so that the glue adheres better. Now we apply double-sided tape. We do this around the perimeter of the surface and inside, leaving a small distance. We coat the gaps between the adhesive tape with glue. Next, remove the protective layer of tape and install the panel in the desired place. Gluing the mirror to the cabinet is not enough; you need to hold it until the glue sets. Once you are sure that it holds, you can let go. It is better not to open the door for several hours. The glue should dry. You can glue back the fabric that has fallen off in exactly the same way.
Fastening process
Let's get started with the work:
- First of all, it is recommended to prepare the workplace. It is better to place the door on some kind of flooring, so as not to worry about the surface of the floor or table on which the work will be performed.
- On the door you need to draw the correct placement of the mirror using a template. If you glue it unevenly, it will ruin the appearance of the cabinet.
The markings must be as accurate as possible, otherwise the canvas will stick unevenly.
- Let's move on to degreasing the surface: to do this, wet a rag with a special solvent and apply it to both surfaces that will be bonded in the future. Moreover, when working with a mirror, you need to be extremely careful so as not to damage it. To do this, it is recommended to spread some kind of blanket and only place our workpiece on it. And then start treating the back of the glass with a degreasing agent.
- Insert a tube of silicone into the gun, cut off its edge and you can start applying the product to the surface. It is better to do this in a zigzag pattern in increments of no more than 10 cm.
The margins from the edges are about 3 cm.
- As soon as silicone has been applied to the back side, the workpiece must be placed on the door according to the drawn marks. To do this, it is recommended to place the edge of the glass in the drawn corner and align the sheet along the side line. If the mirror blank is large, it is better to use the help of a friend.
- The glass is gently pressed against the surface of the door. Care must be taken to ensure that it does not move or warp. All lines along the mark must coincide with the edges of the workpiece.
- The final fixation on the door will occur in a day. During this time, you need to place heavy objects on the surface that will improve the adhesion of the materials. The main thing is that it is a uniform load.
After gluing the mirror, wait a few minutes to check that it is securely attached.
If you see a slight shift or deviation from the markings, you can immediately correct everything. With a slight movement, while the silicone has not yet hardened, you can move the sheet. After a while this can no longer be done.
Step-by-step instructions for gluing a mirror
For example, we will consider the classic option - gluing a mirror to a cabinet door; the mirror is large and requires high reliability of fixation.
First you need to drill holes in the doors for the hinges . This is not difficult to do, you just need to pay attention to the distance and symmetry.
Doors have holes drilled for hinges
Step 1. Place the mirror on the door and check the dimensions of the elements.
Checking dimensions
Practical advice. Protect the amalgam layer from damage; through scratches are visible on the front surface.
To prevent mechanical damage to the back of the mirror, place a soft cloth or other protective pad between the door plate and it. Amalgam is an alloy of mercury with metals; it is a heterogeneous or homogeneous system; it can be liquid or solid. To make cheap reflective coatings, tin or zinc, and less often silver, are most often dissolved in mercury.
If the doors have curves around the perimeter, then the edge of the mirror should not reach their turn. Otherwise, a gap will appear between the parts, dirt will accumulate in it over time, and the appearance of the furniture will be significantly damaged. It is best to check the position of glass and furniture boards with your fingers; this is the most accurate and sensitive tool; professional furniture makers very often perform final checks of various connections only with their hands. This makes working convenient, fast and very accurate.
Mirror edge
Step 2. Check the correct location of the hole according to the previously drawn sketch.
Sketch
If a door handle is planned on the mirror, it is recommended to drill the hole in special workshops. Doing such work yourself is not recommended for several reasons.
- Firstly, to drill glass you need to have a set of special tools and devices.
- Secondly, such work can only be done by experienced craftsmen; the first attempt is most often unsuccessful.
- Thirdly, the cost of professional services is much less than the price of a new mirror. And you will have to buy it to replace the damaged one.
Step 3. On the cabinet door, mark the location of the holes on the mirror. Such manipulations must be performed on the second door.
Marking
It is not recommended to remove the mirrors before final marking; let them remain in place. This will make it possible at any time to check the correctness of their placement and the correspondence of the marks made.
Step 4. Remove the mirror and drill through holes for the handles. Constantly check the position of the elements.
Drilling holes
At this point the preparatory operations are completed, you can proceed directly to gluing
Gluing the mirror
Prepare the work surface of the table; it should be smooth and clean.
Important. The dimensions of the work table are selected in such a way that the door fits completely in length.
The fact is that laminated boards are not very durable. If the edges hang down, then under the influence of its own weight the slab bends slightly. The mirror is made of glass, which is much stiffer than slabs and hardly bends at this distance. As a result, a gap will appear between the surfaces, which will have an extremely negative impact on the quality of gluing of the elements.
Do not allow a gap to form between the mirror and the door.
Step 1. Prepare the glue for use. The composition is sold in plastic tubes and is squeezed out using a special gun.
- Using a sharp knife, cut off the sealed end of the tube, but do not touch the threaded part. The glue is sealed completely hermetically, which increases the storage time. Before use, carefully look at the date of manufacture and expiration date; never buy low-quality or expired materials.
- Screw the cone onto the thread, cut the end at an angle of approximately 30°. Please note that the cone can be cut at different distances, thus adjusting the diameter. If you are gluing large surfaces, then increase the diameter of the cone, and for small elements, reduce the hole.
- Insert the prepared tube of glue with the screwed end into the gun, carefully adjust its rod to the glue piston and press until the glue appears.
After each application of glue, release the piston lock lever as quickly as possible and remove the load from it. If you don’t do this, quite a lot of material will come out after the gluing process is completed. It can stain the surface of a mirror or cabinet, and once it hardens, it is very difficult to remove the glue. In addition, unproductive losses increase; it is better to save the composition and use it for good.
What types of sealant guns are there?
Step 2. Very thoroughly degrease the surfaces of the elements; the adhesion strength largely depends on this. You can use special products or ordinary solvents. After degreasing, the surfaces must be completely dry. Work with the compounds carefully, some of them are quite poisonous.
Surface cleaner
Step 3. According to the attached instructions, apply glue to the surface of the door. Often these are longitudinal stripes at a distance of about 10 cm. But in practice, to increase the reliability of fixation, it is recommended to increase the dimensions; if possible, then it is necessary to fill the maximum area of the joined parts.
Applying glue
Step 4. Place a mirror on the door and carefully check its position. Be sure to pay attention to whether the holes in the glass and the furniture board match. Experienced craftsmen recommend inserting any objects of suitable diameter into them; they center the holes and completely eliminate accidental movements. If after movement the glue completely hardens, then the defect cannot be corrected. Modern high-quality compositions have very high adhesion; it is even theoretically impossible to tear glass off the surface of a furniture board; it will definitely crack. You must always remember this and work extremely carefully.
If a problem does occur, then you need to try to save the door; in any case, the mirror will have to be changed, even if it cracks. Remove it in pieces; if necessary, use thin metal devices or tools.
Gluing the mirror
Step 5. After gluing is completed, it is recommended to press the cabinet parts a little; use pieces of slabs or other large objects for this purpose. Allow time for the composition to dry or harden; specific parameters are indicated by the manufacturer on the surface of the tube.
Finished products with mirrors
Types of mounting a mirror to a door
There are several types of fastening to the cabinet door:
- Attach with double-sided tape. This method is one of the easiest and fastest. Because the mirror sheet will be fixed in literally five minutes. And if necessary, you can simply tear the workpiece from the cabinet and attach it to another place;
Correct distribution of adhesive tape when gluing a mirror
It is recommended to use double-sided tape only for small mirror sheets. Because this composition will not withstand heavy loads, and under its own weight it may fall off and break.
- using liquid nails marked “for mirrors” is a reliable option, but after fixing, the mirror surface cannot be separated from the cabinet;
Liquid nails for mirrors - for specialized compounds for mirror and glass surfaces, for example, silicone. In this case, it is extremely important to perform all operations accurately, otherwise the work will not be successful. It will not be possible to remove the glass from the door and any mistake will be fatal;
Distribution of silicone for subsequent gluing of the mirror to the door - through the mechanical method, when various fasteners are used, for example, metal staples, through holders or furniture fasteners with decorative overlays.
Mirror on metal brackets
You can stick a compartment to the door of a closet without having any experience in this matter, and with the help of improvised means. A minimum amount of materials that can be purchased at any hardware store and a standard tool are all you need to install and secure. And most importantly, our instructions with a step-by-step description of each stage of work.
How to attach a mirror with your own hands
Mounting a mirror without a frame
Attaching the mirror will not be difficult, the main thing is to prepare everything in advance and follow the algorithm of actions:
- The first step is to prepare all the materials for work so that they are at hand. You need a level, a ruler, a marker or pencil, fasteners, tape or glue. Clean, lint-free cloths are useful for firmly attaching the mirror over the entire surface and removing excess glue. If it will be mounted on hardware or “claws,” then a drill and all the necessary tools are prepared in advance.
- After preparing all materials and tools, it is necessary to degrease both surfaces - the mirror and the cabinet. It is best to use alcohol for this. You can start working after both sides have completely dried.
- When installing on the door, holes are made and tabs are attached. Then they bend or open, depending on the model, and a mirror is inserted inside, which is then tightly secured with fasteners. If for some reason it is a little loose, then you can install small rubber pads under the paws, which will not be noticeable when the work is finished.
When all the materials are prepared and the surfaces are degreased and dried, you can proceed:
- The first step is to make markings using a pencil, chalk or marker. It is important to note everything clearly and evenly, otherwise it will not be possible to re-glue the mirror or redo the fasteners.
- If the fasteners are made with hardware or “claws,” then it is best to use diamond drills to drill holes so as not to damage the surface.
- If liquid glue is used, it is applied not to the cabinet, but to the back surface of the mirror. Then they press it tightly to the cabinet door and hold it. So that the composition “sticks” a little.
- When using adhesive tape, the surface of the cabinet is carefully pasted over according to the intended drawing and then the mirror is leaned against it for complete fixation.
The sequence of actions is the same regardless of the type of fastener. If it is possible to remove the cabinet doors, then this should be done to facilitate the fastening process, especially if the main material chosen is a liquid composition - acrylic or nails. You need to hang the door back two days after it has completely dried.
Mounting methods: which is better to use?
Let's consider how you can attach a mirror sheet to a cabinet door, what is the best way to glue it? You can fix the mirror on the surface of the cabinet using :
- mounting double-sided tape;
- special adhesives and liquid nails;
- mechanical fastening method.
When choosing a fastener, focus on the quality and reliability of the materials. Incorrectly glued or screwed sheets can damage the mirror coating and also cause injury to others.
Mounting double-sided tape
The simplest of the options. Construction tape will quickly glue and securely hold a small element on the surface of the cabinet. Its cost is low, and you can find it in every hardware store or car accessories store. But the choice of material must be approached responsibly.
For installation, you will need a high-quality foam version with a thickness of at least 0.8 mm. The temperature regime for working with it must be no less than 10 and no more than 25 degrees Celsius, otherwise adhesion to the surface will not be performed efficiently.
Among the advantages is that a crookedly pasted mirror can be removed using a string or polystyrene tape and the work can be redone. The main disadvantage of this method is that the material is not suitable for heavy mirrors . Also, there is a risk of purchasing low-quality material.
Special double-sided tape: where to buy, how to use?
The easiest way to attach it is with double-sided mounting tape. You should not buy the one sold in office supply stores. Household adhesive tape is designed for gluing paper or cardboard, it will not withstand heavy objects. Having glued the mirror with stationery tape, after just a few minutes you will have to remove the fragments from the floor - the tape will quickly peel off under its weight.
For reliable fastening you need a special mounting tape - double-sided and foam. It is designed to hold sheet materials, including glass, and is sold in construction and automotive stores, with the second option being preferable. Automotive adhesive tapes are highly durable because they are used to fasten parts that are subject to high loads.
Which tape is best to take depends on the size and, accordingly, the weight of the mirror. The thickness of the tape should be in the range of 0.8–2 mm. The 3M brand has proven itself best.
To properly attach a mirror with double-sided tape, you must first clean the surfaces to be glued. If there is dust, crumbs, or grease on the back of the glass or on the door, this will impair adhesion. Then you need to calculate how much tape you will need. To do this, find out the weight of the mirror and measure out the required amount of tape, taking into account that the consumption is 60 square meters. cm per 1 kg. Gluing should be done at temperatures from +10° to +25° to ensure the best adhesion.
What to do if the glass is glued crookedly? If tape was used, this is an easy fix. Using a thin string or fishing line, cut the foam part of the tape and remove the mirror, and then remove residues from the surfaces.
Using double-sided tape is easy and convenient. However, it should be taken into account that this method is not suitable for massive objects. You can attach a small mirror with adhesive tape; for full-length glass, it is better to use other fastening methods.
