I’ve been asked how to remove builder mirrors a few times over the last couple weeks. Despite my inquiries and offers to help anyone who wanted it, I could not find a single person in my area that had a builders mirror they wanted removed.
So, here is my best explanation with not enough pictures of how to remove builder mirrors.
How to Remove Builder Mirrors
First, I tried to criss cross tape all over the mirror in case it broke, so it wouldn’t shatter…because that’s what they do on DIY shows! But, I ran out of tape so it ended up being a useless V of tape! You might want to do a better job, just in case!
My mirror was about 8 feet long and HEAVY! So, it was a 2 person job. (Thanks Melissa!) I just put a pry-bar behind the mirror on one corner and SLOWLY, GENTLY pulled. See the globs of glue?
Each one popped away from the wall, one at a time as I moved down towards the other end of the mirror. We each stood on the counter and once the top row of glue was “popped” off, we both pulled GENTLY and SLOWLY and each additional row or GLUE GLOBS popped away from the wall. Then we lifted it out of the metal track.
There is nothing you can do (in my opinion) to avoid damaging your wall. The glue is made to STICK and it does. It tears the drywall paper off with it! Whoever installed my mirror used Black adhesive which I had to scrape off before I could patch.
After removing the black glue residue, I patched the drywall with joint compound. Some of the areas with torn paper required a little drywall tape too because the paper kept bubbling from the water in the JC.
It took about 3 coats and sandings, about the same as an actual “patch”, to get it smooth enough for paint.
Then you can install you mirror of choice.
The actual mirror removal took about 5 minutes. The patching took a couple days.
B's Mommy says
Any offers yet? I adore your home! It should sell fast!! Looking forward to your next home and projects.
Andrea says
I hope you didn't throw away that huge mirror! While I finally found one, I had been looking for one for years! It's just the thing for…something. I plan to have it cut into smaller sections and do some fun projects with it someday when I get around to it. Maybe I'll do a DIY post when I do (get around to it).
Anonymous says
I've wanted to remove all 3 of our builder's mirrors since first reading your bathroom redo post… I just had no idea how to do it. Thank you for posting this "how to." I'm ready to tackle the projects now. What did you do with it once it was removed… reuse, donate, sell? I'll have three huge ones and one smaller one from our powder room. Thanks again!
TCahal says
Shut the front door!! Love how the after looks…I've always hated those dang builder mirrors…too bad we rent a house or those suckers would be long gone!! Thanks for posting…I may actually be able to use this one day if we decide to buy our own house.
orange sugar says
Instead of tape you could use shrink wrap.
sarajo says
I really want to do this. but my stupid builder put an electrical outlet in two of the mirrors. Any tips on that? Because nothing says uglier than a builder mirror, except a builder mirror with an outlet. YUCK!
Craftin' Texan says
Sandra,I have to say I'm crushed that you are moving to Tennessee! I also live in Chicagoland and found you just as you were announcing your move 🙁 Despite being crushed I wish you all the luck I can in your new adventure! If you were staying here I would suggest this for the women of Chicagoland, however, I can't begrudge the women of Tennessee. I don't know if you've thought of this (I'm sure you have) but you should extend your Build {hers} Club to an actual meeting. Perhaps pick a coffee or tea house or even a local "quiet" pub where interested ladies could get together to discuss their designs, techniques and tips. It can be difficult at the big hardware stores when you're new to building (I'm sure you know). The men there just look at you like "Oh honey, you'll never get this done" although they never say it. In a group of women, though, ideas can be encouraged and helpful tips given. Anyway…just a thought 🙂
Colleen says
I love how it came out.I wanted to tell you I purchased some sconces and an overhead light from Bellacor lighting. They were so great! I love the fixtures and they literally came in like 3 days. So glad I checked it out after reading your blog.
Booyah's Momma says
Ugh! I have 2 of these ugly little puppies in my house, and I want them out! I love how you replaced them with the smaller framed mirrors… it makes all of the difference. Hmmm, another project for… someday.
Dori Luke Designs says
This is on my to do list for the next month! Im so glad you posted this 🙂 My concern now is the texturing of the wall to match the other bathroom walls, that seems like a challenge. I found a perfect framed mirror at TJ Maxx for 24.99 – your post gave me enough inspiration to go pick it up. Im currently refinishing my cabinets, so the mirror will really help things look finished. (until I get to the floor anyway!)Thanks!
stephanie wind says
Wow! This is gorgeous! Thank you for posting!!!
Chantelle - ThousandSquareFeet says
Am I to assume that the mirror you removed here is the same mirror that smashed into a million pieces in your garage? You remove your builders' mirror and I glue mine on! It was just attached with mirror clips. I did, however, add moulding to the perimeter to give it a framed mirror effect. Looks much better now!
pinktoesandpowertools says
We have been planning to remove our large builder's mirror from the master bath for awhile now. If it doesn't break, it will be moved to the workout room so we have a mirror like in a gym. Just an idea for all those mirrors that are going to be removed, now that Sandra has posted this 🙂
Mary says
Oh. my. word. Are you telling me that you and another female removed that mirror? Because I have one exactly, EXACTLY, like it, which I hate, but I've waited, not knowing what to do. Mine isn't even glued to the wall, it has little holder thingies. And girl, I do seriously LOVE the new mirrors, what a total transformation!!! I'm gonna do it! Question: What did you do with that monster mirror? Did you have to carry it down steps (I will have to)? How'd you get rid of it? I was wishing I could have mine cut into pieces and then frame them, so I didn't have to buy real mirrors. Wondering if a glass shop will do it?
fran says
hi there
i to just read her post and i am over joyed to get rid of my eyesore in the bathroom….. but i myself have had mirror cut to size from bit old mirrors and u can even frame them in old picture frames…where we found to get them cut is the little hardware stores the mom and pop shops do it for as little as 1 a cut ….got luck……..
Life in Rehab says
I don't have any of these huge eyesores (The house was built in 1927 and still has the original medicine chests), but I would have been right there with you on getting it the heck out of the house. Great tips.
Rambling Renovators says
Great job on getting it removed in one piece! I haven't tried the prybar method, but you can also use picture wire (the metal stuff) and run it back and forth behind the mirror so it cuts through the glue.I like the new mirrors!
Tanja @ Postmodern Hostess says
I wish I'd had this post a year ago when we first started renovating our place! We've now removed five builders' mirrors, and at first we were totally thrown by that horrible black adhesive. Now we're used to it and are better at repairing the walls, but that didn't prevent a little mishap when removing our mirrored kitchen backsplash!
Katie says
Been trying to convince my hubby to remove ours since we moved in! Your project turned out beautiful!
Kim N. says
Ok, I just found your blog, so I'm perusing old posts and just have to say that swapping out that huge builder's mirror for the new ones made me want to hang out in your bathroom…it is gorgeous!!!
Jeff Patterson says
Thanks Sandra for posting the link to your article on Hometalk. We have the exact setup as you and hopefully I’m successful at removing our mirror 😉
Cyndie says
Sandra,
Thank you so much for this post as well as the others. My husband was in the military for 20 years and we lived on bases the whole time. This is our first home and it was new so it has all the builders stuff that I’m trying to get rid of. That big mirror is exactly like the one in the master bath and I HATE it. I have been wondering if it would be hard to remove and how to do. Now because of your post we will be able to do. Thank you so much for helping me personalize my home.
Sandra says
Hope it works as easily for you as it did for me. Good luck! 🙂
fran says
omg thanks so much , i also have been looking for the easy way to take down the big out dates mirror in my masterbath.i will be trying it tomarrow . the way u explainded it was the way i was going to do it but its not that we dont know how to do it (because we all watch hgtv .lol) but just reading that someone did it gives us all hope that we can do it……thanks and it looks nice.
Sandra says
Good luck Fran. Hope you get that bad boy out of there –no problem and get your bathroom looking beautiful!
Melanie says
Thanks for this post. I will be attempting this in a few weeks. It’s been difficult getting help from friends for this, because they are all afraid that my mirror (it’s a bit smaller than yours – about 5 or 6 feet by 3 feet) is going to crash down and break into a million pieces. But your post gives me confidence. How did you deal with the mirror after you took it down? Did you have to break it before disposing of it?
Sandra says
I cut mine down and made a framed mirror for Madison’s bedroom. 🙂
Adriann says
I took down one yesterday! Can’t believe how HEAVY the mirror really is. Definitely a two (or three) person job, depending on the size. My mirror was floor to ceiling.
On to scraping the black glue off the wall tomorrow!
Sue says
Well, we’re not in your neighborhood, but you were a big help anyway. Job completed, thanks to your note about the prybar!!