RESILVERING
1. How much does it cost to resilver a mirror?
Retail:  $15/Sq Ft > Length(inches) x Width(inches) divide by 144 x $15.00= Cost
Minimum Charge 10 Sq Ft + $5 Re Packaging Fee for packages that need to be shipped
back.
For Wholesale prices contact us (Resale Number Required)

2. How do I know my mirror needs resilvering?
Most of the time it is obvious.  Sometimes mirrors appear to be dirty or streaked on the front
surface         
when the actual problem is deterioration of the old silver on the back.  Clean the mirror well
to determine
if you have surface dirt or deterioration of the silver on the back.  Unfortunately, harsh
abrasives
(powdered cleaners, scrubbing pads, etc.) are sometimes used by individuals in their
attempt to clean
the surface.  The resulting scratches may become apparent when the mirror gets a new
coat of silver.

3. What about touching up small areas or spots?
Unfortunately, satisfactory results are not achieved when trying to resilver portions of a
mirror.
The complete mirror needs to be resilvered.

4. My large bathroom mirror has deterioration on the bottom edge?
This is very common.  It might not have been installed or sealed properly in the first place.  
Mirrors
like this are sometimes large simple rectangles without bevels.  Here, it may be cheaper to
buy
a new mirror than to have it resilvered, unless it has sentimental value.  One solution for the
problem is to cut off the damaged area and then remount the mirror.  This can be done by
your
local glazier.  Another possibility is to install a frame or border around the bad areas.

5. Where can I get the silver paint to touch up a mirror myself?
It doesn't exist,(at least nothing that actually works).  We often see mirrors which the client
has tried
to touch up with silver paint.  The results are disappointing.  Another attempt at home repair
is tin foil
to the area missing the original silver.  Again, this doesn't work.  It is actual silver that is
applied to your
mirror, and it involves a process and expenses that make it impractical for the do it
yourselfer to attempt.

6. What about damage on the surface of the mirror?
Clean the surface of your mirror well before delivering it.  Look carefully for scratches and
nicks on the
surfaces of the mirror.  They will be more apparent after the mirror is resilvered.  Often,
customers
are unaware of existing damage on a mirror that has been in their home for years.

7.How should the mirror be delivered to us for resilvering?
The mirror needs to be removed from any frame.  Please bring/send us just the glass.  
Removal is
usually easy, but be careful.  Use caution when doing any prying.  Cover the mirror with
cloth or cardboard
when using any hard tools.  A slip with pliers, a screw driver or other tools can chip, crack,
or break the glass.  
not force the glass.  Ease it gently from the frame.

8. Can we remove and replace the mirror from the frame?
Yes, the usual charge is a minimum $10 for the service.  Sometimes if it is an unusually
difficult mirror and
depending on how the mirror is mounted it could cost more.  Note: old glass is fragile and
can break for no
apparent reason.  Although we take great care we cannot guarantee the mirror against
breakage when
removing, replacing, or resilvering.

9. Resilver or buy a new mirror?
If your mirror is a simple rectangle without beveling or fancy edge work it is usually cheaper
to buy a new
mirror.  One might want to resilver a simple rectangle if it is antique glass and the desire is
to retain the look
of old glass.  Antique glass is imperfect.  It is wavy, may have small air bubbles, and the
beveling can be uneven.  
Patterns other than rectangles are usually expensive and it is much cheaper to resilver.  
Also sentimental value
never be replaced.

10. Will the value of the mirror be destroyed if it is resilvered?
Usually the value is not destroyed.  The resale value is usually increased.  It needs to be an
important piece
for there to be a loss in value.  

11. How will the resilvered mirror turn out?
Sometimes when the old silver deteriorates it leaves a permanent stain on the glass which
will show up when
the new silver(yes, it's real silver) is applied.  There is no way to determine ahead of time if
this will happen.  
However, most mirrors come out just fine and the customer is satisfied with the results.  If
there is staining it
can be removed at a rate of $50/hour.  Any scratches on the front or back of the mirror will
be more apparent
after the new silver is applied.

12. Is there any risk involved in resilvering?
Yes.  Although great care is taken to prevent breakage there is a very slight chance a
mirror can break in
the process.  Glass might have built up stress which cannot be seen and may break for no
apparent reason.
Sorry, but we cannot be responsible.  If the mirror does break it will be returned to you at no
charge.

13. How long will the resilvering last?
It should last for decades.  However, we can't control the conditions in which mirrors are
hung.  Most mirrors
we guarantee for five years.  Bathroom mirrors or other mirrors subject to excessive
moisture are guaranteed
for one year.

14. Can you resilver auto rear view mirrors?
We can resilver car mirrors.  Day/Night mirrors will retain their day/night function/  
Remember tp remove the
mirror from it's holder.  We want only the piece of glass.

15. Can my rear view mirror be shipped?
Yes. The cost of a rear view mirror, including shipping and handling is the minimum charge
of 5 sq ft + S/H.
Pack it carefully, but don't overdo it.  

16. Can other things be resilvered?
We can resilver almost anything made of glass.

17. Can you resilver telescope mirrors or camera prisms?
Maybe there is a different process but most of the time we can do it.  The cost is usually the
"minimum charge"
for any lenses.  There will be an extra charge for prisms requiring extra masking of the
unsilvered surfaces.
Camera prisms are more difficult to do than a flat mirror because of multiple sides and
generally cost around
$125 and up.

18. I want to change a mirror into a piece of clear glass.  What can I do?
We can perform this service for you.  We charge 50% of the price of resilvering.

19. What does the resilvering process involve?
There are several steps involved in mirror resilvering.  First, the backing paint is stripped
from the mirror.  Next               follows the removal of the deteriorated silver with an acid.  
The glass is then polished and rinsed.  It is now ready            for resilvering.  Several
chemicals, are mixed and applied with a special spray gun.  A chemical reaction takes
place causing the silver to adhere to the glass.  The mirror is dried and coated with a
special coating.  After
a final cleanup the mirror is ready for customer pickup.

20. How do you remove water spots from a mirror?
We can polish them out for you for a charge of $50/hour.  You can also use Bruce's GSR.  It
is usually available
at your local hardware stores.

21. Can mirrors be shipped?
Yes.  Remember it's glass.  Pack it carefully and insure it.  The best box is a 2 x 4 frame a
few inches larger
than your glass and some flat pieces of 1" Styrofoam from the lumberyard cut to fit.  
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