Friends,
I have an Eastlake-like mirror on chest. It has been in garages and a barn for a long time. I washed the front of the very nice bevelled mirror and it is in great shape. I took the back off of the mirror frame and removed it. It is standing in a very stable fashion, while I do some work on the frame.
Question: Should I leave the back of the mirror alone? I vacuumed it from a few inches away. You can see that it is covered with some dirt, but the dirt doesn’t seem to be doing any damage. Maybe I should leave well enough alone. Is it worth a gentle washing with water or not?
Thank you.
Mel
PS you would get a kick out of the rest of the chest. Someone stripped the chest, and began “strengthening” the interior of the chest by screwing in a large number of L-brackets. Obviously that didn’t work. I will soon be removing the L brackets. Then the fun will begin.
SWMBO wants this piece of furniture redone, and was ecstatic when I began to work on it today! Good to see her happy. I don’t want to damage her mirror.
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Replies
Hi Mel ,
I say do not disturb the back if not necessary .
I apprenticed in a shop that restored and reproduced antique furniture and such and learned that you can save a mirror that has lost or needs re-silvering by stripping the old off completely and placing a thin mirror behind the old .
dusty
Dusty,
You are being very helpful. My chairs and my mirror thank you. Me too.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
I think the rule of thumb with old mirrors is (a) leave them alone, and (b) if you can't leave them alone, be prepared to have to have them completely stripped and re-silvered (or, these days, re-aluminized).
-Steve
Steve,
Dusty said the same thing. Thanks for letting me know. All advice has been identical. How many times does that happen?
I will leave the mirror alone.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
"Dusty said the same thing. Thanks for letting me know. All advice has been identical. How many times does that happen?"
Well, I was working in the shop this evening, sawing up some wood, so I got pretty dusty, too. That must be it.
-Steve
Steve ,
Hey ,,, I resemble that remark .
dusty
disty,
Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk. Woobwoob woob woob.
Ray
Mel,
A belt sander with 60 grit abrasive, ought to get rid of that dust on the back of that mirror.
Ray
Ray,
Oh no. I used a sanding block with 36 grit. But I sprayed WD-40 first, as a lubricant.
MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot.
Mel,
I hope you used Duct Tape to put it all back together! A real Woodcrafter would have use Kerosene, but I won't tell.
Just trying to help you climb that corporate ladder.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 10/9/2007 8:07 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Edited 10/9/2007 8:09 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
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