Etching a mirror but from the back does that make the morror transparent?

Question

What i am trying to do is put my name onto a mirror and where the letters are the mirror to be clear. using a stencil yes but will using etching cream on the back side of the mirror accomplish this for me...

Answer 1

I doubt the etchant will be able to remove the "silver" from the back side of the mirror, and if it could etch through that coating it wouldn't be clear, it would be etched glass. (look like frosted glass)

The "silver" coating is not that hard to scratch off. I have done that accidently, and that does leave the glass clear. It might not be that hard to manually remove the silvering, but it would be pretty hard not to chip the coating where you don't want it to, and you'd risk scrating the glass.

You're best off just etching the front.

Alternately, it might be easier to try "sand etching" the metallic coating from the back of the mirror. The sand etch kits are available at craft stores, it's basically an aerosol sand blasting kit that you can blast designs in glass using stencils. That might do the trick, but it would still leave the glass frosted, not clear. I'm not sure of the exact effect you want, but you could also paint the back side after you get the coating off.

Answer 2

The etching cream will not remove the silver backing. Most paint removers will remove the silver. Try this out first on a cheap mirror, to see if the remover will do any damage to your stencil. Make sure you use all safety precautions and have plenty of ventilation.

Answer 3

no