ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACRYLIC MIRROR
The Plastic Warehouse Guide To All Things Mirrored Acrylic
Acrylic mirror, also known as Plexiglas / Plexiglass mirror or Perspex mirror, is a decorative sheet made from acrylic. It’s lighter and more durable than traditional glass mirror, as well as being a safer alternative due to its shatter-resistance.
Acrylic mirrors are created by combining an ultra-clear acrylic sheet with a highly reflective backing, to give the sheets their reflective look. Our current range of acrylic mirror includes silver (comparable to traditional glass mirror), as well as gold and rose gold.
Here are some key characteristics of acrylic mirror sheets:
- Light weight: significantly lighter than glass, at only 3.6kg per square metre
- Shatter resistance: higher resistance to impact & breakage than glass mirror
- Safety: in the event that acrylic mirror breaks, it does not shatter into sharp splinters like glass
- Versatility: can be easily cut, drilled, shaped and bonded to suit a wide range of applications
- Reflection: provides a clear and bright reflection
Applications:
Acrylic mirror is used in a wide range of common applications, such as:
- DIY, hobbies and crafts
- Home interiors / decorating
- Retail, hospitality and shopfitting
- Signage
- Security mirrors
- Lighting applications
- Trade shows and exhibitions
- Gym, studio and sporting facilities
- Set building for TV, movies and shows
Handling
Acrylic mirror sheets are covered by a protective film on the reflective side, which should be left in place to protect the sheets from damage during transport, handling and storage. The protective film is not designed for long-term, outdoor or high temperature use and should be removed within 4 weeks of installation.
Keeping the masking on during cutting, shaping, drilling, adhering will help to prevent damage from scratching or scuffing.
When handling acrylic mirror sheets, care needs to be taken to prevent the delicate mirror backing from being scratched. Ensure sheets are lifted and not dragged across surfaces such as saw beds, vehicle trays, pallets or benches. Damage to the mirror backing will be visible through the reflective surface of the sheet.
Acrylic mirror should be stored in a clean, dry, warm area and not exposed to direct heat, moisture or weather. Exposure to moisture can cause warping of the sheet.
If acrylic mirror is being stored flat (horizontally), the surface it rests on should be completely flat and stable without any bumps or depressions, to avoid warping, slipping or scratching. If different sized panels need to be stored together, arrange them from smallest pieces on top, to largest pieces on the bottom, to avoid sliding or damage.
If the acrylic mirror is being stored upright (vertically), the standing angle should not exceed 10°. Please noted that storing sheets vertically will increase the risk of warping.
Processing
Acrylic mirror sheets can be machined with most tools used for timber such as circular saws, band saws, jigsaws. It’s recommended that new and well sharpened tools be used on acrylic mirror, with cutting speed and feed speed be such that the material doesn’t melt. When using circular saws, blades with tungsten carbide-tipped cutting edges prove most effective. The sheets must be adequately secured to avoid saw chattering or vibrating, which can cause chipping, damage or a rough edge.
When drilling, excessive feed rates can cause cracking in the material, while low speeds can cause overheating of the material. Fix sheets to a solid, flat support to avoid breaking of the lower edge of the drilled hole.
It is very important to employ an efficient dust extraction system to remove dust and swarf generated by any machining.
Please note that the protective film should not be removed during processing.
Installation
Masking should be left on the protect the surface from scratches during installation. a Acrylic mirror should be fixed to a firm, flat substrate to reduce the likelihood of bending or movement in the sheet. When acrylic mirror is fixed to another substrate, any irregularities in the supporting surface will cause localised bending of the mirror sheet and distortion in the reflected image.
Acrylic mirror can be fixed (installed) using double sided tape and/or adhesives.
Tapes should be laid in strips and kept at least 50mm away from all mirrored edges and paper backings from tape should be removed immediately. Pre-primers should not be used on the mirror backing.
Adhesives such as neutral-cure silicone should be tested on a small, inconspicuous area or an offcut first, to ensure it doesn’t damage the backing. Adhesive should be applied in strips approx. 80mm apart and 50mm away from all mirrored edges. After adhering to a wall, do not seal edges for approx. 10 days to allow air circulation during curing.
Cleaning
The surface of acrylic mirror sheet can easily be damaged and all care should be taken when cleaning this product.
For cleaning, it is recommended to use a mild dish soap, water and a soft microfibre cloth to gently wipe the surface.
To remove more stubborn deposits gently apply hexane or kerosene.
If the protective masking is hard to remove, try using a mild solvent such as isopropyl alcohol or a mixture of water and mild dish soap to moisten the adhesive.
Do not use other chemicals or sharp objects to clean acrylic mirror.
Some Things To Consider
Important Note: despite the many positives of acrylic mirror, it’s important to note that acrylic mirror does have some drawbacks to consider. It may scratch more easily than glass mirrors, and may be more susceptible to certain chemicals, so care should be taken during cleaning. Additionally, acrylic mirror is a ‘decorative’ product and the reflection may show some distortion due to factors such as temperature change and is only recommended for outdoor use if the backing can be sealed from moisture.
You can view our full range of acrylic mirror sheets here.
