Thread: Attaching mirror to melamine

Most shops I've worked in, use primarily silicone.
Some use 3M double sided tape (around the edges) and silicone.
If you use double sided tape, make sure you create a few high points with the silicone so the tape doesn't grab the mirror while you are aligning it.

Originally Posted by Junkie

Most shops I've worked in, use primarily silicone.
Some use 3M double sided tape (around the edges) and silicone.
If you use double sided tape, make sure you create a few high points with the silicone so the tape doesn't grab the mirror while you are aligning it.

Do you know if silicon will stick to melamine?

Roughening the surface of melamine creates a key which assists with bonding. Silicone in 50mm rings also creates suction.

Don't know if it is available in Australia but "Roo" Glue is what we use her to attach anything to Melamine including Melamine.

The only thing to worry about is the grey backing on the mirror that covers the "silvering". That stuff is very fragile and easily damaged even with water.

Yeah Im worried about damaging that grey backing.

You guys reckon theres a difference between
https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotch-2...-tape_p1560574

and

https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotch-2...-tape_p3961947

My glazier used a special kind of silicone. Sadly, I am not entirely sure what kind (no vinegar smell).
Mirror on to concrete, mirror on to painted mdf, structured glass into door panels ... oh and a 3m x
650 painted splashback on to concrete ... used all the same stuff.

If I wanted to work with glass, I'd go back to the bloke and ask him to sell me a couple of tubes.
It's a kind of neutral grey colour.

Silicone with no vinegar smell is referred to as neutral cure, the non-acetic variety. Acetic silicones may play havoc with the silvering on mirrors so definitely worth avoiding. I've only ever used foam double sided tape to attach mirrors to walls and found it very successful in motels. Of the two double sided tapes you've linked to I notice that one specifically says it's for mirrors so that's the one to go for.

Neutral cure silicone works fine. That's how we always did it.

At the cabinet makers I worked at they used this. Selleys Liquid Nails Mirror, Metal and Glass If you use an acid cure silicone it removes the grey backing off the mirror.