New bathroom mirrors backing peeling off! Fix?

[MarkJ]

I am truly pissed off.
I just bought 5 new mirrors for the Heads and now one that is below a normally open window has already started to lose its backing.

See da pic.

What could I use to help lengthen their lives?

Spray lacquer?
Coat of oil?
Ummmm?

[weavis]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I am truly pissed off.
I just bought 5 new mirrors for the Heads and now one that is below a normally open window has already started to lose its backing.

See da pic.

What could I use to help lengthen their lives?

Spray lacquer?
Coat of oil?
Ummmm?

Its toast at this point. Spray the edges on the back with silver.

[captjcook]

I'd be pissed too!

I remember my Dad cutting a mirror down and IIRC...he used varnish...then again that was 50 years ago...

Best of luck


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I am truly pissed off.
I just bought 5 new mirrors for the Heads and now one that is below a normally open window has already started to lose its backing.

See da pic.

What could I use to help lengthen their lives?

Spray lacquer?
Coat of oil?
Ummmm?

Caused by moisture wicking between the silvering and the edge of the glass. It can be somewhat delayed by applying a layer of clear adhesive "gorilla" tape completely around the edge of the glass/back. We tried clear silicon but that didn't seem to adhere to the glass very well. Gorilla brand repair tape is somewhat more effective.

Frankly, I'm wondering why you're worried about it considering that BendyToes you have won't last very long anyway and particularly so if you continue to play Russian Roulette with long single handed passages as you're prone to doing. One of these daze you'll spin up a loaded chamber and then....bango, the mirrors won't matter a wit!

[SV DestinyAscen]

Is the mirror airgapped?

[Teknishn]

MarkJ, Yep, the mirror is toast. Looking at the pic I am wondering what adhesive you used when installing the mirror. And yes, as has been already stated, this may have been caused by water intrusion. But since the pic appears to indicate that the failed silver lining has been eaten away at the bottom of the mirror, I have my doubts. It has been my experience while building and outfitting yachts that adhesives used to mount mirrors should be oil-free (regular silicon adhesives won't work). And make sure you seal the edges as well with the same oil-free adhesive. Otherwise, an oil-based edge sealant will eat away at the edge of the glass and silver backing which, when the adhesive gets a bit older and worn (kinda like me actually) it will allow water intrusion between the glass and the backing.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by SV DestinyAscen

Is the mirror airgapped?

Yes it is

[MarkJ]

There's no adhesives used. The mirrors are held on by clips. There's an air gap about 1mm defined by the Beneteau clips.


It doesn't matter is this one is toast. I bought 5. The last batch lasted 8 years, this one not 1 month.
I want to try to protect the other 4.

[SV DestinyAscen]

If properly airgapped, I think there are two causes. Mirror handling prior to install possibly disturbed the coating. Also there's a chance humidity is so high after a long shower that condensation is actually draining to the bottom of the mirror.

I'd say coat the mirror with a hydrophobic polymer like rainx before install. Don't need much additional protection but that ought to do it and help condensation bead away.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

There's no adhesives used. The mirrors are held on by clips. There's an air gap about 1mm defined by the Beneteau clips.


It doesn't matter is this one is toast. I bought 5. The last batch lasted 8 years, this one not 1 month.
I want to try to protect the other 4.

This is why a lot of boat mirrors have painted borders on the face around the edges.

That nasty sheet happen behind the painted border.

The mirror look new for years longer.

[mikequig]

Probably not your solution but when the mirrors on my Beneteau did that I went to a local plastics shop and had new mirrors cut from silvered plastic. Much cheaper than glass, and while not as durable, they are quite serviceable and can be easily (and cheaply) replaced.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by mikequig

Probably not your solution but when the mirrors on my Beneteau did that I went to a local plastics shop and had new mirrors cut from silvered plastic. Much cheaper than glass, and while not as durable, they are quite serviceable and can be easily (and cheaply) replaced.

The only way to go. They last a lot longer.

[MarkJ]

I will try a lacquer on the edges and spray the back of half the mirrors and see which last longest.

Just so, so, so irritates me because both heads looked terrific with the new mirrors.

New little screw thingies to hold the mirrors, from Beneteau are nice and shiny

[foufou]

The original mirror on my boat was like that. When I replaced it I painted the back with epoxy. This is what electronic manufacturers do with circuit boards to moisture proof. My current mirror is 10 years and perfect

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by foufou

The original mirror on my boat was like that. When I replaced it I painted the back with epoxy. This is what electronic manufacturers do with circuit boards to moisture proof. My current mirror is 10 years and perfect

Epoxy it is!

In 9 years time if its fallen off I'll come gunnin for you


Thanks