Old Mirror loose in frame.

It's_Molly

I've bought an Edwardian gesso oval frame wall mirror, with the original mirror and a wooden back on the frame. However, the mirror is loose in the frame and no matter what I try, I can't make the mirror stay in place.

Can I use glue? Or has anyone got any other ideas?

thanks

Molly.

PasturesNew

Is it loose in that the mirror is smaller than the frame? I'd try cotton wool wadding or blue/white-tac, depending on what I'd got and space available.

Is it loose in that the mirror is not as deep as the frame? I'd try cutting out some plain corrugated cardboard full backs, or just six 1" lengths, to pad it out as appropriate.

It all depends really what the problem is ... how far you're prepared to go for a fix and what your intention is with the mirror (use, or resale, or gift, for example).

It's a bit "how long is a piece of string" as you've worded the open question.

One could, say, suggest a specialist antique restoration service that'll do "the right thing" and cost you £200 ... as an example

culpepper

Depends if you can remove the frame too or how much access you have around it from the mirror side.
You could make up some oogoo (instructables has the erm instructables ) which is a sort of soft putty you make with silicone sealer and cornflour. You can colour it with paints when you make it. Then push it down around the edges. It should set up rather like window putty but with a bit more give. I have used it at home and it is quite useful stuff.
There is a commercial version called sugru which is a bit firmer when set but quite pricey for a very little amount.
You could even just use the silicone sealer (cant vouch for whether it will affect a gesso frame ) and is quite gooey before it sets.

It's_Molly

PasturesNew wrote: »

Is it loose in that the mirror is smaller than the frame?

Slightly. The back is thin wood held on by tiny tacks, but the wooden back doesn't sit againt the mirror to keep it flush to the frame to hold it up. It covers the hole at the back of the frame that the mirror went into, if that makes sense. The back can't hold the mirror flush to the front of the frame as it is bigger than the hole the mirror went in.

When I carried this home from the charity shop, it felt like the mirror was going to fall out as it kept moving, but it couldn't fall out as it's wooden back keeps the mirror in it's "box".

When hung, it drops slightly in the frame and as the edge of the mirror is bevelled, I can see that it isn't even in the frame.

I need something that can hold the weight to lift it up or push it up, to make it look even around the bevelled edge.

I tried builder type double sided tape but it slipped and NOW it decides it will hold, now that it is out of line again and the top (or the bottom) shows the edges of that white tape.:eek::D

Thanks for all your ideas, all very good and worth a go.

It's_Molly

culpepper wrote: »

Depends if you can remove the frame too or how much access you have around it from the mirror side.
You could make up some oogoo (instructables has the erm instructables ) which is a sort of soft putty you make with silicone sealer and cornflour. You can colour it with paints when you make it. Then push it down around the edges. It should set up rather like window putty but with a bit more give. I have used it at home and it is quite useful stuff.
There is a commercial version called sugru which is a bit firmer when set but quite pricey for a very little amount.
You could even just use the silicone sealer (cant vouch for whether it will affect a gesso frame ) and is quite gooey before it sets.

I just googled oogoo as I had never heard of it. Thanks for that.

The inside of the frame is soft wood, so if I don't let the the oogoo get onto the part where the gesso is, then it won't be able to damage it. If it runs, I'll be back on here asking how to repair gesso:D

Thanks.