Kitchen Backsplash

[Jim28730]

I'm seriously considering replacing the beveled mirror backsplash in the kitchen, both behind the sink and stove, with mosaic glass tile.

If any of my fellow Alpiners have tackled this project, I would be most grateful to hear if you have any "tricks" for removing the existing beveled mirrors.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

[Dixieray53]

Cool project I think you should get alot of feed back on this, not just from Alpiners. I have done a few kitchens. This should not be much different . You did not post pictures of the mirrored back splash . I would tape over the mirrored tiles to keep them intact somewhat.Take a hammer to them and remove...be carefull...Then prep the area for the new tiles. Check DYI internet sites...Good Luck and post the pictures of your project....Peace D

[bigfish]

Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive securing the mirrors to wall. Be aware that 2nd mirror from left when removed, exposes an access hole to the shower faucet.
BTF
05 40FDQS

[takepride]

Jim:

I've been thinking of doing the same. After having installed plenty of residential tile, I plan to just pry off the mirrors using a flexible spatula, cutting and peeling the backside as I go. A heat gun would help.

Then I'll put up some 1/4" Hardibacker (from Home Depot) and set the tile using white mortar with acrylic adhesive additive (needed for glass tile). The additive is commonly found pre-mixed into the thinset.

I'm not planning on doing the front facing wall, as the access to my shower fixture is allegedly behind mirror #3. (I'm not sure how your 34'er is configured.) I have thought about changing that entire, front facing set of mirrors to a removable panel, though. Maybe a solid mirror or tile. I don't really like the beveled panels.

I've also considered doing the bathroom wall under and adjacent to, the medicine cabinet.

[Jim28730]

Thanks for the input gentlemen. I'm definetly going to do this project, just have to decide when to begin. I'll be sure to document with photos so I can add it ti the "mods" section.

How may years bad luck do you get when you break around a dozen mirrors?

[Jim Stewart]

I have a Safari Cheetah and have taken the mirrors off from above the stove and next to the sink. I assume that all the mirrors, mounting and wall surfaces are all the same.

It was fairly easy to remove the mirrors, just a constant slow outward pressure on the corners loosened them and they started to peel off. I used the mortar described above and placed them directly on the wall board. I let them dry for several days before using flexible grout. I have driven the MH about 7,000 miles since installation and hit some "bone jarring bumps" with no cracks or problems.

Looks much better than the mirrors.

[takepride]

While still mulling over this project, it occurred to me that there are paint-on products that can be used instead of the Hardibacker that would promote a good bond between the mortar and the wallboard. I have used polymer based sealers for decks that allow the addition of sand over the last coat to form an appropriate base to mortar down tiles.

With many years experience repairing (replacing) poor tile installations, I've seen tile adhered directly to wallboard and sheetrock. It does work for many years, but never as long as using a cementious backer.

If the tile were completely opaque, many common glues and mastics would work directly on the wallboard. However, the glass tile requires a white mortar as the "background". Maybe a white mastic has been developed that would spread evenly and have a smooth appearance. It ought to bond even better than mortar on Hardibacker. It would be nice to not lose the 1/4"+.

[mythplaced]

Here is an update to my project...

[takepride]

VERY nice, Mike!

[mythplaced]

Thanks, Milt

[DrDaveMA]

I like the mirrors too! Nice work!

[EngineerMike]

I believe the formula for multiple mirror breakage is a^x ('a' to the 'x' power).
where:
a = # of years bad luck, and
x = # of mirrors broken.
So 1 mirror broken = 7 years bad luck to the first power, or 7.
12 mirrors broken = 7 to the 12th power or 13,841,287,201 years.

Same formula can be used to estimate the national debt.

[mythplaced]

Duct taped the surface of all the mirrors used a steel spatula to gently separate from the wall ....didn't break a one!

[takepride]

Originally Posted by mythplaced

Duct taped the surface of all the mirrors used a steel spatula to gently separate from the wall ....didn't break a one!

Boy, are you lucky!!!!