Aluminum Foil Will Help You Bring New Life Into A Worn-Down Mirror

Fixing your favorite mirror that has black spots on the glass can be a simple, quick project using a basic household item — aluminum foil. It's able to fix a spotted mirror because it provides a somewhat reflective surface to minimize the appearance of imperfections. Mirrors, while versatile and useful, can also be quite fragile. Black or clear spots that show up on the surface are linked to silvering — a process that gives mirrors their reflective quality. As it deteriorates, a mirror slowly becomes a regular piece of clear glass, so if scratched or loose, it appears as spots on an otherwise perfect surface. This is called desilvering.

Desilvering can be caused by moisture, like shower steam or cleaning products that contain ammonia. If moisture gets between the silvering and the glass, the two separate, and you're left with a poorly aged mirror. Sometimes, your mirror becomes damaged simply by moving or packing it away. So, it's a good idea to always have a piece of aluminum foil handy.

To bring new life to your worn-down mirror, you can have it re-silvered by a professional, but if you'd like a simple solution you can do at home, you'll need a roll of aluminum foil, clear tape, and scissors. First, examine your mirror to determine if you can access the mirror's back without damaging it or the frame. If not, this method is not appropriate for your mirror, as it is crucial to have access to the back. Locate the black spots on your mirror to get an idea of the size of the damaged area. 

Cut a piece of aluminum foil that is slightly larger than the damaged spots and use clear tape to adhere it, shiny side out, to the back of the mirror. For best results, carefully smooth out the wrinkles with your finger. Repeat this process for any other spotted areas on your mirror until all have been covered. Attach the frame and backing, and rehang your mirror. You should be left with minimized and disguised mirror spots that blend in rather than stand out.

If your mirror has lots of spotted areas, you may want to paint the entire back of it instead. To do this, you'll need chrome finish spray paint, like Rust-Oleum Mirror Effect spray paint from Amazon. In a well-ventilated space, put a drop cloth or painter's plastic on a flat surface and lay your mirror face down with the backing face up. For best results, clean the surface first with soap and water, then dry it with a microfiber cloth. Apply thin coats of paint and let it dry for one minute between coats; up to five coats can be applied for your desired results. 

If you'd like to prevent any new black spots from appearing on your mirrors, there are some things you can do. Since moisture is a primary culprit, this is a great place to start. Use vents in bathrooms or open windows after showers to allow moisture to escape and to avoid damage to the mirror's backing. Also, take caution when wiping mirrors down. Do not use vinegar or ammonia cleaners, but instead, use warm water and a well-wrung microfiber cloth to clean a mirror, then dry it right away. If a cleaner is necessary, it's recommended to use a non-acidic foam cleaner to remove excess grease or dirt.