I have a mirror in a bright silver frame. Should I paint the inside lip of the frame or leave it the color of the wood? If it's a dark frame I use a dark felt tape but on this one I'm thinking dark would stand out too much.
Mirror--do you paint the inside lip of the frame?
- Thread starter piper
- Start date
More than anything you need a consistent finish on the lip of the rabbet since the mirror will reflect whatever is there. You don't want a bunch of broken silver leaf and pink clay showing. Black would be a little graphic, so you might consider silver or matte white. You might be able to get white felt and cut your own strips to line the rabbet.
Rob Markoff
PFG, Picture Framing God
Great question.
I usually use drop black or burnt umber Japan colors because they dry fast, stick to whatever may be on the lip (like leaf) and do not stick to the mirror like acrylic paint would.
I'm doing a mirror right now in a bright silver frame and a black interior would be too obvious. We masked off the lip/back and used Krylon Bright Silver spray paint and it looks great. We painted it before joining because the frame was too large to fit into the spray booth. Metallic paint markers or other metallic paint is too hard to apply with a brush and have a uniform finish that will reflect in the mirror.
I usually use drop black or burnt umber Japan colors because they dry fast, stick to whatever may be on the lip (like leaf) and do not stick to the mirror like acrylic paint would.
I'm doing a mirror right now in a bright silver frame and a black interior would be too obvious. We masked off the lip/back and used Krylon Bright Silver spray paint and it looks great. We painted it before joining because the frame was too large to fit into the spray booth. Metallic paint markers or other metallic paint is too hard to apply with a brush and have a uniform finish that will reflect in the mirror.
jim_p
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Until recently I've been blacking the rabbet with a marker, but I've started using Lineco foam rabbet tape with good results. It provides a nice finish and provides a little cushion for the mirror
EMcBride
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
I second this
Rob Markoff
PFG, Picture Framing God
I have found that the "problem" with a marker is that it will first turn purple and then fade. It will also not cover silver (or other) leaf completely and it will fade in those areas much more quickly leaving a blotchy reflection.
Jim- if the mirror is beveled, then there is only a very small contact area immediately adjacent to the lip. How do you apply the foam tape evenly (without stretching) or getting it wavy and also have it close to the lip? What happens to the foam/adhesive if the mirror is in a bathroom and water splashes up against the mirror and runs down? If the mirror is "sealed" against the foam, will the water swell the finish on the mirror if it is not immediately wiped off?
Questions:
Do any of you seal the edges of a mirror before it is fit (or order it sealed from your fabricator?) I don't mean put a backing on the frame, I mean treat the edges of the silvering with something like Gunther Mirror Edge Seal to prevent black edge from forming (especially in a bathroom?)
Do any of you use "setting blocks" on the bottom edge of the mirror to hold it off the inside edge at the bottom so if water does get in, the edge does not sit in the water and cause the silver to delaminate (black edge)?
Both of these products are available from CRL (and they are a great resource for all things glass and mirror).
Jim- if the mirror is beveled, then there is only a very small contact area immediately adjacent to the lip. How do you apply the foam tape evenly (without stretching) or getting it wavy and also have it close to the lip? What happens to the foam/adhesive if the mirror is in a bathroom and water splashes up against the mirror and runs down? If the mirror is "sealed" against the foam, will the water swell the finish on the mirror if it is not immediately wiped off?
Questions:
Do any of you seal the edges of a mirror before it is fit (or order it sealed from your fabricator?) I don't mean put a backing on the frame, I mean treat the edges of the silvering with something like Gunther Mirror Edge Seal to prevent black edge from forming (especially in a bathroom?)
Do any of you use "setting blocks" on the bottom edge of the mirror to hold it off the inside edge at the bottom so if water does get in, the edge does not sit in the water and cause the silver to delaminate (black edge)?
Both of these products are available from CRL (and they are a great resource for all things glass and mirror).
Framehouse Boutique
CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
We use Pilot Silver Markers or silver rub n buff. IMHO much better than black or wood colour.
kuluchicken
MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Questions:
Do any of you seal the edges of a mirror before it is fit (or order it sealed from your fabricator?) I don't mean put a backing on the frame, I mean treat the edges of the silvering with something like Gunther Mirror Edge Seal to prevent black edge from forming (especially in a bathroom?)
Do any of you use "setting blocks" on the bottom edge of the mirror to hold it off the inside edge at the bottom so if water does get in, the edge does not sit in the water and cause the silver to delaminate (black edge)?
Both of these products are available from CRL (and they are a great resource for all things glass and mirror).[/QUOTE]
In New Zealand because of the high humidity it's standard practice to seal the edges here.
If the mirror is to be used in a bathroom I do lift the bottom of the mirror...I learned that from you, thanks
Do any of you seal the edges of a mirror before it is fit (or order it sealed from your fabricator?) I don't mean put a backing on the frame, I mean treat the edges of the silvering with something like Gunther Mirror Edge Seal to prevent black edge from forming (especially in a bathroom?)
Do any of you use "setting blocks" on the bottom edge of the mirror to hold it off the inside edge at the bottom so if water does get in, the edge does not sit in the water and cause the silver to delaminate (black edge)?
Both of these products are available from CRL (and they are a great resource for all things glass and mirror).[/QUOTE]
In New Zealand because of the high humidity it's standard practice to seal the edges here.
If the mirror is to be used in a bathroom I do lift the bottom of the mirror...I learned that from you, thanks
Rob Markoff
PFG, Picture Framing God
The G needs a "like" button