Removing glued-on mirror sections

[OldnSlo]

I wondering the best way to remove 2 sections of 2'x5' mirrors a prior owner glued to painted drywall. The area in question had paneling glued with construction adhesive to drywall, so I am figuring that is what is holding the mirrors to the wall. Light tan adhesive.

I'm not trying to save the mirrors, just trying to save a mess with the outcome and be safe. I can feel a long bead within 2" of the edge of the mirror with a putty knife, and based on the way that surrounding panels were put up, I anticipate a lot of adhesive behind the mirrors.

At this point I anticipate using duct tape and cardboard to minimize the shrapnel, and dont think that a heat gun will keep the whole mirror warm enough to allow it to slide off without breaking.

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[z28toz06]

no problem. get your self some 20 pound fishing line. make it long enough to fit up around and behind the mirror. tie a loop in both ends, and fasten a couple of handles on the ends, say a scredriver, nut driver, whatever. heat up the mirror from the front with a blow dryer and just work the fishing line down behind it in a sawing back and forth motion. it helps to have 3 hands here. the line will saw through, and just have someone there to catch it as u get the string to the bottom.

 

[slghmmr88]

no problem. get your self some 20 pound fishing line. make it long enough to fit up around and behind the mirror. tie a loop in both ends, and fasten a couple of handles on the ends, say a scredriver, nut driver, whatever. heat up the mirror from the front with a blow dryer and just work the fishing line down behind it in a sawing back and forth motion. it helps to have 3 hands here. the line will saw through, and just have someone there to catch it as u get the string to the bottom.

I got some piano wire form our tuner that works the pianos at the church I do a lot of work at and it works great, Not sure what key it is but decent length and super strong and pretty fine. Used to have a large cheese wire left over from being in the restaurant business for breaking down the 30 lb blocks of cheedar and it worked good but this piano wire is longer.

 

[Milton Shaw]

windshield cutout wire would probably be the best thing.It comes in rolls with handles for both ends. Junk yards use them all the time to cut out windshields. They also in a pinch will use hood cables, just the cores. Try NAPA or tool trucks, they should have it.

 

[NitroPress]

Good suggestions - I have a similar situation with three bathroom mirrors that don't seem to be glued, as such, but were apparently installed over uncured drywall and paint and so, ten years later, have adhered. Sawing with a length of fine cable was the only solution that occurred to me. Will try it on the next remodel...

 

[Kent Skinner]

cut around the mirror & replace the sheetrock. If there's that much adhesive, you're going to replace it anyway.

You'll save some time by removing everything.

 

[Cobra5150]

You can use a regular carpenters saw. I've done that in the past. They are usually long enough to cut through the mastic holding the mirror. If you are planning on reusing the mirrors be careful or you can scratch through the reflective layer. Any way you do it there are going to be some drywall work after you get it off.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Whatever way you proceed, duct tape, gloves and safety glasses wouldn't be a bad idea.
Accidents usually happen when you least expect it.

 

[cowboy73]

You could buy some cheap self adhesive shelf liner and cover the mirrors with that then just take a hammer and whack it in a few places. The shelf liner should keep the flying shards to a minimum. Wear safety goggles and some good leather gloves!!!

 

[Zeke]

If the mirrors are attached with mirror mastic, you can heat it and cut it as mentioned. But you said yellow and that sounds like construction adhesive which can dry to rock hard. You'll probably get hurt fooling with that stuff and it tears the paper off the drywall.

The one time I did this I covered over the old drywall with a new layer after knocking the mirrors off in pieces and scraping like crazy. So, as Skinner said, you're going to do drywall one way or another. His way sounds pretty efficient.

 

[OldnSlo]

A glass cutter to score some start lines and a ball pein hammer made short work of getting it into bite sized chunks. A heavy duty gasket scraper pulled it down, into waiting Little Ceasar pizza boxes which did their job without complaint.

Too much mastic prevented me from cutting through.

Thanks all!