Hello AT,
So, after much searching we bought a beautiful, big (and intentionally shopworn) antique mirror in Hudson last weekend. When we were loading it into the car, one of the mirrored panels that frame it came loose, and now I'm worried that they might all secretly be loose and in need of some TLC -- would hate to hang it and just have gravity do its work....
How should I go about doing this?...
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In truth, I'm not the most handy type, and wanted to hire someone to come over and hang this beast (it's almost five feet wide and therefore pretty heavy) and thought maybe the very same person could make sure the mirror is sound, double-check and maybe reset the panels that make up the frame, rewire the back so it's nice and sturdy when hung, etc. Kind of like a mirror specialist/art installer.
Could anyone recommend such a person? Or am I way off: do I just buy some glue, slap that errant piece back on, and go?
Help! ---- R
Dear R,
We would hand check each mirror and apply a good glue (we like Gorilla Glue lately) to reapply the fallen piece. This should not be considered a big technical issue.
As for hanging, you should certainly be able to do it yourself with a trip to the local hardware store and a chat with the folks there. What you need to know is how heavy it is so that you get the corresponding wire and screws to hold it up easily. The same goes for the hook you put in the wall.
position the hook or hooks at 57" on center (full instructions here) and then gently lift into place with one other person. You should be fine if you work slowly and carefully.
Anyone else?
I hung a very heavy, 7'x 3' mirror on drywall using 2 OOK hooks (rated for 100 pounds each, so I figured that's got to be OK) and this link:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/hangheavymirror
The instructions here are great. Not confusing & I was able to follow them to the letter. The OOK hooks are so, so easy to put up as well. The nails they provide went in the wall like it was butter.
I have done a lot of DIY where things did not quite turn out they way I planned - but this really did work out like I was on HGTV.
related question: i had a similar situation with a mirrored table, where one of the pieces fell off (and luckily did not break). i'd like to glue it back on but there are these long spaghetti swirls of the previously used glue that are making this tough. any ideas on how to get off the glue? i was going to just chip it off but i have visions of running a palate knife into my palm...
If the glue is on the wood, not on the glass, use a dremel to get it off. If it's on the glass...well maybe goof off will work.
Regarding the big mirror; I think the issue is to keep additional pieces from falling off. You could have it framed at a picture framers and that should take care of it.