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 works 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 include a protective film on the reflective side to help prevent damage during transport, handling, and storage. Leave the film in place during cutting, shaping, drilling, and bonding to help reduce scratches and scuffs. Remove the protective film within 4 weeks of installation, as it is not designed for long-term outdoor or high-temperature exposure.

Handle acrylic mirror sheets carefully to avoid scratching the delicate mirror backing. Always lift sheets instead of dragging them across saw beds, pallets, vehicle trays, or benches, as damage to the backing will show through the reflective surface.

Store acrylic mirror in a clean, dry area away from direct heat, moisture, and weather exposure, as moisture can cause warping. When storing sheets flat, use a completely level surface and stack smaller sheets on top of larger ones to reduce slipping and damage. If storing sheets upright, keep the angle below 10°, noting that vertical storage increases the risk of warping.

Processing

You can machine acrylic mirror sheets with most timber-working tools, including circular saws, band saws, and jigsaws. For the best results, use new or sharp tools and maintain cutting and feed speeds that prevent the material from melting. Tungsten carbide-tipped blades work especially well for circular saw cutting.

Secure the sheets properly before cutting to prevent chattering or vibration, which can lead to chipping, surface damage, or rough edges.

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

Leave the masking in place during installation to help protect the surface from scratches. Fix acrylic mirror to a firm, flat substrate to minimise bending or movement, as any irregularities in the surface can distort the reflected image.

You can install acrylic mirror using double-sided tape and/or adhesives. Apply tape in strips at least 50mm away from all mirrored edges and remove the paper backing immediately after application. Do not use pre-primers on the mirror backing.

Before using adhesives such as neutral-cure silicone, test them on a small hidden area or offcut to ensure they do not damage the backing. Apply adhesive in strips approximately 80mm apart and keep them at least 50mm from all mirrored edges. After mounting the mirror, leave the edges unsealed for around 10 days to allow airflow 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.