Easy way to safely remove a mirror glued to the wall
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- I'll show you the easy way to safely remove a glued on mirror from the wall. Easily remove your bathroom vanity mirror. No special tools and without breaking the mirror. No mirrors were harmed in the filming of this video.
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I followed these directions, and everything happened EXACTLY as described! Was able to give the 20-year-old mirror intact to someone who will use it for another 20 years.
Glad it worked for you. Thanks for watching.
Same here!!
Awesome!
Mine came off in under 5 minutes, with very few shims and no damage. And a handymen I asked about it said: "We are going to have to break the mirror to do this" LOL! So glad I didn't listen. Thank you for this video!!!! Invaluable!
Watched this video this morning before removing a similar size mirror. So glad I did as everything detailed happened - especially the pealing sound as the adhesive comes away from the plasterboard (dryboard) paper. This definitely saved me making a terrible mess and probably a hospital trip so thank you!
Glad it worked for you.
I just came back to thank you for uploading this video. I had a heavy thick mirror stuck to the wall with a ridiculous amount of gorilla. Plus it was off centre, which constantly annoyed the hell out of me. Watched your video, bought a pack of wedges from ebay (really quite cheap). Followed your instructions, took little breaks, didn't rush it. The mirror came away from the wall like a dream. The mirror was 50s bevelled so really glad I didn't have to break it, I also gave mine away like the guy below. So you saved two mirrors. Again, thank you, from the UK.
Glad you were able to do it.
I followed this technique to remove a 58x36 in. mirror and it worked perfectly. The whole process took less than 20 minutes. Thanks for the tip!
Glad it worked out for you.
Wearing long sleeves and a face shield would be a good idea…you only need it to let go suddenly and it slip down to hit the vanity or hit on the corner and you’d have shards and splinters flying. Also, as someone else said, tape the mirror surface in close grid pattern to minimize the shatter if it does break. Never hurts to be prepared for the worst….
Don't forget put helmet when crossing street ("safety first")
This video was excellent! Followed his instructions to the letter. It worked EXACTLY like he said, right down to the his description of the sound it was going to make while the mirror was coming off the wall.
Thank you for this video. I followed your steps and was able to safely remove the mirror without any damage! Thanks again.
This was amazing. Watched the video yesterday, and my husband took down the 4’ X 4’ mirror today. He duct-taped it first, as we were a bit skeptical. But it worked just as you said. Thank you so much!
Thanks Mary. Glad Rick was able to do it.
I started the first shim and the whole thing let loose! That was EASY! Thanks!
Took my daughter and I a bit more than 20 mins. But we got it down in one piece! Using the heat gun to soften and scrape the remaining glue in the wall before patching the holes. Thanks.
That's gonna be messy. Trace around the glue spots with a utility knife and just tear the paper off.
When patching either seal the exposed drywall or dampen it with a cloth. The exposed core will suck the moisture out of the spackle and it may fail.
@@HouseDoctorRay would you be able to explain the best process for getting the glue off the wall, and refinishing the wall before applying wallpaper?
Lightly cut through the paper around the glue spots and tear the paper off. Dampen the exposed drywall and spackle it.
Clean the walls with TSP or ammonia and hot water.
Prime the walls.
Install wallpaper.
Wow!!! I agree with some comments.!!It happens exactly the way he describe ! My husband didn’t know how to take down a mirror that I had for 28 years. It came out intact. Thanks for sharing your video. As a matter of fact, my husband felt humiliated when I did it my self.
The video was right on the mark. Had more glue on one side so had to go down one side with the shims but it did pop off. Glad he put a time frame in there because I definitely would have tried to muscle it more. Let the shims do the work and you will be fine. Thanks for the help.
Glad it worked out for you Bill.
Probably will never remove an adhesive mirror from the wall, but I found this video very, very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing.
I confirm, this did the trick. Just cut my own shims with a skillsaw as local hardware store's were a bit crappy. The shims work a treat, at least to get you started, then just slowly pulled the mirror off gradually.
Excellent!
We watched your video and did this and it worked PERFECTLY! We didn't even need a hammer. We just kept sliding the shims in until it popped. We did not hear any tearing but I think that's because there was only one big spot of adhesion. We located the big spot of adhesion after shimming all the sides and were able to focus the shimming around that spot. It came off perfectly clean. Thank you!
Awesome! Glad it worked out for you.
I want to say thank you. I watched your video, a few weeks back. Today I did the task of removing my bathroom mirror all by myself. I didn't use tools behind the mirror though. I use my hammer, a wooden ruler, and occasionally a long knife(don't try this at home). It did the job. Thank you again.
Congratulations! Thanks for watching.
Just did this and it worked perfectly! The mirror didn’t break and it only took about 20 minutes! Thanks!
Great news!
Tried this with mirrors in new house AND the ugly solid surface shower surround. AMAZING! Thank you. Felt so accomplished. WOO HOO! Clean, safe bathroom demo.
Glad it worked out for you.
Perfect! Exactly what we needed to take a large mirror down. Much better solution than busting it up!
Thank you House Doctor Ray! My wife and I just used this technique to take a mirror off the wall in our powder room. Without your instructions I probably would have broken the mirror. We're putting the old mirror up for free so it doesn't become a part of the landfill.
Awesome! Glad it worked out for you.
Boss! Worked like a champ! My mirror was taller than wide so I had to go at it a little from the side and ended up three shims deep on top, but it popped right off!
Awesome!
Are you going to have a video showing how to prepare the wall afterwards? This was a great video, I want to take mine down but don’t know what to do with the wall to prepare it to paint afterwards.
Usually just a little bit of premixed joint compound is all you need.
Prime before you paint.
THNK YOU! I followed your instructions and it worked BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome! Glad it worked out for you.
I couldn’t believe this actually worked, I had a 6ft by 4ft mirror and those shims worked. Popped off just like in the video. Thanks. Minimal damage to the drywall behind it. 👍
Glad it worked Victoria
Those shims were just the ticket; started with them worked my way up to a 2x8; after a long while mirror suddenly popped off the wall - I was not prepared at all. Luckily only a 2 inch drop to the counter top and it was fine.
“ta-da!” It was that exact moment I fell in love. This was the perfect how-to, so glad I found your video. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for watching.
Thanks mate excellent video. A glassier just told me to smash it with a hammer. You just saved my a while lot of hurt.
We're remodeling a bathroom and want to reuse the mirror after the new taller vanity is installed, so removing it this way is ideal. It's 42" high and 65.5" wide, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it goes as well for me as it did for you!
Take your time. If you want to try and reuse it I would recommend trying the composite (plastic) shims from one of the big box stores. Spray them with a little soap and water. The coating on the back of mirrors scratches very easily.
thank you @@HouseDoctorRay
This is perfect my 11 years old daughter and i could pull out a big mirror in 20 minutes
I took a 4 x 4 and cut 3 two foot wedges on the table saw . Tapped them in spaced apart by about a foot behind mirror . Popped right off . Joel in Florida . the wedges were about 3/4 think at the hammer end .
OMG I was holding my breath during the entire video. I was terrified it would shatter.... but nope... you did it, and looking at the comments below, it looks like others have too... wow
All you need is patience.
This is awesome!! I have a long mirror in my bathroom and want to remove it. I think I will need three ppl though. Two to make sure when it pops off it doesn’t fall forward.
You can do it!
Thank you for the video, it was super helpful and easy to remove the glass in the kids bathroom
We followed his directions and it worked beautifully. We bought long shims and we ended up using 30 of them but it worked great
Great news Erwin!
Worked like a charm, 72" mirror off in 15 minutes. Thanks
Great news!
You’ve put my mind at ease. Great video! I was debating whether to go forward and remove the mirror so I can have lights properly placed over my bathroom sink. Thank you!
Thank you. Just take your time and you'll be fine.
Nice concise video Ray. I'll be doing this with a 84" x 40" mirror tomorrow. I intend to put a fair amount of tape on it....just in case i break it.
That bathroom you were working in seemed to have a 10ft ceiling which probably made the job easier.
Thanks. The ceiling is only high on one side, easier to remove mirror but harder to paint.
This is the way. The mirror I removed was held on with strips of double-sided tape, and this method still worked.
Good to know. Was there a lot of damage to the drywall?
Definitely need this video for upcoming mirror upgrade. thanks!
Excellent video and instructions! I followed every step and the mirror popped off just like that!
Awesome! Glad it worked for you.
I used a hair dryer to heat the glass and mastic without tearing the paper underneath along with what you are doing. Cheap vacuum glass holders at Harbor Freight to handle the big heavy pieces.
Good tips. Thanks for posting.
Great instruction! Being that the previous installer used caulking on the perimeter as well as double sided tape, this method combined with patience was the only way to remove the three mirrors (in one piece) as we converted to back-lit mirrors. Thank you!
Glad it worked for you Chuck.
Seeing this was actually really helpful to me, as someone about to install one about the same size. Answered my “how much adhesive is too much?” question. I don’t want a future renovation/change of mind to require breaking the mirror. I can see this amount of adhesive or even a little less looks like just the right amount. Thanks!
I've never installed one, only taken them down. As long as the paint isn't peeling you need very little adhesive. Just do a test fit if you're going in a corner, walls are rarely square. Also if you're going in a corner paint the edge of the glass flat black so you don't get a weird reflection.
@@HouseDoctorRay great advice, thank you! Better check the wall for square. Haven’t picked the glass up yet but will probably paint the edge if it is like that. Reg. adhesion to paint, the paint is in good shape, but do you think it is a good idea to sand down to the drywall paper first? In case it delaminates in the future? Maybe I’m over thinking it
You'll probably be fine. Like I said I never installed one, only taken them down.
I wish I would have watched this before tearing out the vanities. Then the mirrors could have sat on top of that.. Goibg to have to figure out a way to prop them up so they don’t fall but this looks like the best way. Great video
Thanks. You could screw a piece of wood to the wall to catch the mirror when it pops loose.
Once I get it off do I need to glue my new mirror on? Do you have a mirror install video?
Thanks for this removal video.
It was very helpful! I hope to install a new mirror in my bathroom soon. I already have the mirror and I want to get it up before my wild, rambunctious, and clumsy household breaks it. 😂
You can glue it or use mounting brackets. Sorry, I don't have an install video.
THANK YOU. I was able to remove 3 very long dance mirrors. Never done it before.
Glad it worked out for you.
This video is in my top five useful videos! Thank you so much. It worked perfectly!!
Glad to hear that.
Thank You!
Wear safety glasses, and put blue painters tape crisscrossed across the front of the mirror in case it breaks - it will hold together better if it shatters
This worked perfectly! Came down in one piece
Glad it worked for you Nancy.
Always always tape the mirror up incase you do end up cracking it. Surprised this wasn't mentioned.
Ty for the video me and my boyfriend were going at it from all sides so this saved us a lot more time and probably a bigger mess
Glad it helped.
This process worked amazing for me too!! I hugely appreciate you having posted this video!! Great, clear instruction! Do you have a video about how to fix the wall after removal?
Thanks. Sorry no video on fixing the wall but there are plenty out there.
This worked perfectly and I got to save the mirror! Thank you for sharing :)
Glad it worked for you Loryn. Thanks for watching.
How did you dispose such a big mirror?
Doing this weekend. Will let you know how it works...
Good luck. Don't forget your safety squints.
Thanks so much for this. I was able to take 3 mirrors down without too much trouble except some frayed nerves. Haha...
Glad it worked for you Ron.
Oh wow, this worked perfectly…. Just like you said! Thank you….
Great news Elizabeth
This may be a silly question, but how do you repair the drywall where the adhesive was after removing the mirror?
Moisten the damaged area with a damp sponge or spray bottle and use premixed drywall compound from hardware store.
You and your friend do good work lol
I have a mirror which is attached with 3M heavy duty double sided tape. Will this process work for my mirror ?
Yes, just be patient. The drywall paper or paint will likely fail before the 3M tape. If you know where the tape is try also using a heat gun in those areas to soften the adhesive.
Okay Thank you so much for the video. I appreciate those three little words. Take Your Time
Thank you for watching. It's all about patience and then, POP!, off it comes.
@@HouseDoctorRay I may have to give it a try soon with a Mirror over a fireplace.
I know the thumbnail is supposed to look funny but it still made me think "oh great, I gotta break it" lol
Thanks
removed an 85 inch mirror this way today. easy as can be and giving it to a buddy for his bar
You're a good friend.
At the start you removed the lights, how did you do that without electrocuting yourself or damaging things?
Shut off the breaker. Removed the two nuts holding the light fixture on. Unscrew the wire nuts. Capped the ends of the wires.
Nice save. Great tip and great work.
This was a very good video.
Thank you very much.
Great video! Nice and clear. The mirror I have to remove is 6' X 4-1/2' . It's way to big to handle once it comes free. Do you think I could score it down the center and have it come off in two pieces?
I doubt that. When cutting glass you need to be able to snap it on the score line.
If there is nothing underneath it just screw a 2x4 to the wall to 'catch' it when it pops loose.
50/50 Chace to score and remove mirror... score mirror (single move cut no multi try outs) once scored get bucket with water and ICE and torch or hairdryer.... heat up mirror where the score line is and then apply ice cold rag on top of that score line. hot/cold in most cases causes glass to break on the score line.
FYI... wear good heavy clothing and if possible face shiled.. I done 4 mirrors like that and 2 I was able to remove in cut pieces the other two broke but not in areas where I wanted them... good luck and stay aafe
Gute Arbeitet 💪🏼
Do you have to remove the glue off the mirror if you want to glue it somewhere else?
Most likely. It depends on how thick it in.
You'll have to be very careful. The backside can be scratched very easily. It's just a thin coat of metal and paint.
Excellent video thank you!
Thank you for watching.
Thank you for the video!
This video is really helpful - thanks for the great tips and tutorial. I am looking to remove 3, floor to ceiling length mirrors on a bedroom wall. There isn't room between the ceiling and the top of the mirror to use the shim technique you've shared here. Any advice or ideas?
You have to work from the side. If the mirrors are butted against each other put a light oil on the seam.
@@HouseDoctorRay Ahh, okay, thanks for the tip. What type of oil would you recommend? I've also seen some recommendations to use a "piano" wire to move from the top down to break the glue to mirror connection. Thoughts on that? Also, do you recommend putting on tape / something on a mirror that large before trying to remove it from the wall?
Any kind of light oil, even olive oil. Just not motor oil. It's only needed if the mirrors are touching. Glass cutters often use kerosene but that's a rough smell to get rid of.
The piano wire *can* work if you can keep it flat to the wall with the wire wrapped around dowels as handles. If the mirror is wide you'll need two people. The problem is if the wire rubs the edge of the mirror it can chip it. Again, oil can help.
@@HouseDoctorRay Awesome, thanks so much! You have been most helpful.
Great video Ray! Thanks for posting!
Thank you and thanks for watching Christine.
My boss wants me to do this to a wall of 6’ x 3’ mirrors. Anything you’d advise on removing mirrors that big without cutting myself in half?
Be careful!
They're most likely to crack where they butt together. Best to only work from the top so they don't rub.
@@HouseDoctorRay Thanks!
Thanks a lot!
This is helpful, thank you!
Thanks Captain
Hi Ray - does this method work from the side rather than the top? I only have one exposed side on my mirror, as the top meets the crown moulding. It’s about 6x6 ft.
It should work the same just make sure the edges aren't constrained by caulk, paint or molding. If your mirror is sitting in a metal channel on the bottom focus your shims at the top.
Just go slow. Once it starts to pull away you should be able to work shims in at the top on an angle by the crown.
What was put at the bottom to hold it safely since he was doing it alone? I'm doing it alone and want to make sure it's safe.
My mirror had a metal track at the bottom. If you have nothing then screw a board to the wall just below the mirror.
Great tip!!!!
Planning on doing this with our mirror this week but I have a question. How do you remove the glue that’s left on the wall? TIA!
Trim around with a utility knife and pull the paper off. Then spackle over the spots.
Great video, helped a lot . Kudos
Thank you and thanks for watching.
This is amazing. I want to remove mines and out in my shed for dancing. Can I remove then glue it on my walls in shed?
If you try and remove the glue residue on the back of the mirror it will likely scratch it. Just add more adhesive to reuse it.
Hi, will this work if it’s glued to concrete wall?
Maybe...
Be very careful.
We need to remove mirror from a stucco wall (Pool bath). Same method?
Yikes! I would get a roll of packing tape and cover the surface top to bottom before starting.
If the stucco is painted it should come off in one piece. If raw stucco, you're only release is the adhesive tearing apart. It's a lot easier on drywall because the paper tears off.
You should still be able to do it just be *very* patient.
@@HouseDoctorRay Thank you!
do you thing this would work on a 1x2m mirror?
Yes, as long as it is glued to the wall.
Would like to see the video of you fixing this up
Different bathroom but here's an option.
ruclips.net/video/fWduCGgNnA0/видео.htmlsi=zXQUG7WvJ_ZeIGpG
We have a bathroom wall with 5 mirrors stacked on top of each other that reach the ceiling. These are glued on to plasterboard. The 'expert' who fitted the bathroom flooring, in his haste, broke the bottom mirror. I've ordered a same size bottom mirror but am unsure how to get the broken one off without the top edge of the broken mirror grinding and maybe chipping the one above it. Any ideas please?
If you can't get something slippery between them like packing tape folded over use a light oil. Glass shops used to use kerosene as a lubricant for cutting.
I would then buy or rent a suction lifter for glass and put it on the bottom panel. That way you can apply downward force as you are using the shims to pry it off the wall.
Good luck!
Thank you sir, I had this idea in mind. I'll be taking my rusting mirror off this weekend. Glad it works so well.
Good luck! Be patient.
It worked. Thanks!
Great news.
great video! now to convince my husband to do it for me 😂
Good luck.
I have black marks around the corners. Do you think I can take it out and reduce the size by cutting 2 inches on both horizontal and vertical sides? It has J-channel also.
Never tried cutting a mirror. I suppose it's possible but there's a good chance more will get ruined if you take it down.
Maybe try using some molding around the edges like a picture frame to cover the bad spots. Glue the pieces together then use liquid nails to attach it to the mirror.
Is it same steps to follow if its glued on tiled wall.?
?
Yes, but it may pop a tile off the wall.
@@HouseDoctorRay is
There any other ways to safely remove ?
No way is guaranteed. If it was me I would do it the same way just be very patient.
You could add using a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the mirror. The heat will soften the adhesive holding the mirror but won't affect the mortar holding the tile.
Top
Thank you.
Thanks for watching
Excellent ❤🎉😅
Thank you
Where does one get shims ????
Any hardware or lumber store. Either with the lumber or in the door & window section.
can that mirror be cleaned up on the back and reapplied?
Sometimes. If you can see black marks before removing, plan on throwing it out.