Expert Mirror Scratch Restoration & Precision Polishing
While most glass restoration companies refuse to touch mirrors due to their high breakage rate and sensitivity to heat, we provide a specialized, high-success alternative to the mess and expense of full replacement.
Decorative vs. Structural Glass
Unlike your home’s exterior windows, mirror glass is not part of the building envelope and is not required by building departments to meet any specific strength or impact requirements. Because it is essentially a decorative wall hanging, it is significantly more fragile, with a breakage rate nearly double that of standard window glass.
The Geometry of Risk Mirrors with custom cut-outs for vanity lights, outlets, or electrical boxes are under constant internal tension. These "stress points" make the glass even more prone to cracking during the heat and friction of the polishing process. This is why most restoration companies simply refuse the liability of touching a custom-cut mirror.
Managing Optical Expectations
Mirror glass has half the depth tolerance of window glass before visual distortion begins. Because a mirror reflects light back through the glass a second time, any "valley" created by removing a deep scratch is magnified. If a scratch is deep enough to catch a fingernail, we will provide an honest assessment of whether it can be removed without creating a "fun house" effect. We prioritize the optical integrity of your reflection over simply "clearing" the scratch. We do succeed more often than we fail by far.
Why Mirror Scratches Happen
The "Single Electrician" Problem
We find that the vast majority of mirror damage occurs during the final stages of construction. Mirrors are often installed before the lighting fixtures are mounted. Because many electrical contractors send only one technician to hang heavy vanity lights, the metal bases of those fixtures are often dragged across the unprotected glass during wiring. Our process is designed to save these high-end installations after the trades have moved on. Tip: Tape cardboard over the mirror before installing lights.