How to: Mosaic Wall Mirror Without Clear Grout

Mosaics can be quite intricate works of art.

When making a mirror mosaic that has the effect of being one flowing piece, you willl not want spaces and grout between the mosaic pieces. They will need to fit together perfectly. If you have an original design in mind for your mosaic, it may be difficult or even impossible to find pieces that fit together properly. You can make your mosaic come together, though, if you have a mirror to make your pieces from and a few inexpensive items.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Glass cutter
• Breaking pliers
• Work gloves
• Contact cement
• Back panel

Instructions

Making Your Mosaic

1. Draw your pattern on your mirror using a washable marker. Use a glass cutter to score the glass. Apply enough pressure to make a solid score. Make sure you score only once or you will ruin your pattern, as the glass will not break evenly. Turn the glass over and tap along the scoring on the opposite side, using the other end of your scoring tool. Tapping will send shock waves through the scoring lines to break the glass along them so you can separate the pieces.

2. Number the pieces of glass with your marker, then take a picture of the mirror before you separate the pieces so you have reference for putting the mirror back together. This is an important step if your design is intricate, because if the numbers get accidentally wiped off and the pieces get jumbled it can be nearly impossible to reassemble your work without the reference.

3. Put on a pair of protective work gloves to separate sections, as the edges will be sharp. Hold the glass on one side of a score with the pliers and grasp the other side firmly. To pop the pieces apart, gently apply pressure, pushing the piece in your hand down in the opposite direction of the score as if you were trying to bend the glass. Place the pieces on a table in the same order they were in the solid mirror as you separate them so you have the rough draft in front of you as you go.

4. Coat the the back panel with contact cement. Wall paneling is good backing material, as it is light enough to hang easily and the contact cement will adhere well to it. You can build your mosaic right on a wall with no backing if you prefer, but it will be permanently affixed if you do so. Let the contact cement dry for at least four hours before attempting to apply the mosaic pieces.

5. Coat the back of a section of glass with contact cement only when you are ready to place it on the back panel. The wet cement will cause a thermal reaction with the dried cement on the back panel and form a strong and long-lasting bond. Assemble your mosaic. Wait for your mosaic to dry, then clean the marker color off the glass. Frame the mosaic if you like. If you are concerned about the sharp edges, cover the mosaic with a solid sheet of glass when you frame it.

Tips & Warnings

• Glass cutting goes better with some oil on the cutting wheel. Self-oiling glass cutters are available.

• Keep a spare mirror on hand so you can retrace and re-cut pieces that get damaged in the cutting process.

• Cutting glass has inherent dangers. Take all standard safety precautions.

• The edges of the cut glass tesserae are sharp. Handle only with appropriate gloves.

References

• Inland: How to Do Mosaic Stained Glass - Direct Method