Table of Contents:
There
are many tips and suggestions for removing tape or adhesive from mirrors, but many of them, however well-intended, are likely to damage the glass. The following techniques have proven not only successful, but also completely safe for mirrored surfaces. This multi-step process should take care of your mirror mess with ease.
You Will Need:
- Vegetable oil
- Soft cloth
- Fingernail polish remover with acetone
- Sponge
- Scraper or razor blade
Steps to Remove the Tape:
- Begin by removing any solid pieces you can get off with your fingernail.
- Next, use a damp cloth to remove any remaining paper pieces that may be stuck on (common with stickers, for example).
- Apply a layer of vegetable oil to the tape or adhesive. Rub it in circles with your finger, and pick off any pieces that break free.
- If the tape or adhesive is still stubbornly stuck, you may be dealing with epoxy. To remove epoxy, soak a sponge in fingernail polish remover. Hold it over the spot for at least 15 minutes.
- Use the scraper to gently scrape the spot off the mirror.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Do not try to remove adhesive residue from a mirror with gasoline or vinegar. Although commonly suggested, they may damage the surface of the mirror.
- Hairspray may be used in place of vegetable oil, or if you find the oil isn’t working.
- Razor blades and metal scrapers can easily damage the surface of a mirror, so use them carefully and only as a last resort.
- One site user had success using a spatula as a scraper. Another idea is to use a credit card.
Someone stuck a close-up mirror w/a suction cup on the huge mirror in my bathroom. It left a mark from this suction cup on my mirror, that I can’t remove w/ glass cleaner, alcohol, or nail polish remover. Do you have any suggestions?
Cathy,
Suction cups usually require water to be applied for them to stick well. It’s possible that the residue on the mirror is mineral deposits (limescale) from the water. To remove that, try using white vinegar. Wet a paper towel with the white vinegar, wring it out so it’s not dripping, then press it against the mirror. Cover it with plastic wrap to hold it in place and use a mild tape like Scotch tape or masking tape to hold the plastic wrap on the mirror. Leave this on for an hour, then try to scrub off the limescale. It may help to use a razor blade, but be very careful. A plastic scraper like a credit card or plastic spoon might also work. Good luck!
Source: HowToCleanStuff – How to Remove Limescale
The mirror is a full wall size Harley Davidson emblem so putting plastic wrap on it might be a challenge if it has to be snug ’cause the emblem is 2 layers overlapping. Of course, this house visitor overlapped whatever she suctioned on in the almost middle of this large mirror. This guest will not be invited back.
I’ll try taping off the plastic wrap in the middle of the mirror & pray. TY for your help.
Cathy,
The plastic wrap doesn’t have to be snug, in fact, you don’t have to use it at all, you can just repeatedly spray the stain every 10-15 minutes with the vinegar instead. You just don’t want to let the vinegar dry out or it will no longer be working. Limescale often requires a long soak in an acid to be removed.
Also, you may want to test this on a small somewhat hidden area to be sure the vinegar in no way affects the emblem.
Another option is to use cream of tartar mixed with a little water to make a thick paste that is about the consistency of toothpaste or peanut butter and spread it over the stain. The cream of tartar is acidic like the vinegar and the paste will (hopefully) cling to the mirror on its own. It would be best to use distilled water if possible since the tap water caused the stains.
Gently scrubbing with the cream of tartar paste on a cloth or with a cloth soaked with the vinegar may also work. Good luck!