Hello everyone,
I am currently considering the best way to attach mirrors to the doors of the Ikea Pax wardrobe. Since the Pax doors are usually made of rather thin material, I want to avoid drilling holes that could affect their stability or appearance. Are there proven methods to securely and neatly mount mirrors on these doors, preferably without any visible fixings? It is also important to me that the solution can be removed later without leaving any residue or damaging the doors.
I would appreciate any tips on suitable adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or specialized mirror rails, as well as advice on what to avoid to ensure the doors and mirrors hold up well over time without mechanical damage. Thank you in advance for your experiences and suggestions!
I am currently considering the best way to attach mirrors to the doors of the Ikea Pax wardrobe. Since the Pax doors are usually made of rather thin material, I want to avoid drilling holes that could affect their stability or appearance. Are there proven methods to securely and neatly mount mirrors on these doors, preferably without any visible fixings? It is also important to me that the solution can be removed later without leaving any residue or damaging the doors.
I would appreciate any tips on suitable adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or specialized mirror rails, as well as advice on what to avoid to ensure the doors and mirrors hold up well over time without mechanical damage. Thank you in advance for your experiences and suggestions!
Hello TELULA,
I can help you with a step-by-step guide on how I attached mirrors to PAX doors – without drilling and with a secure hold:
- First, make sure to thoroughly clean the door so the adhesive or mounting tape sticks properly later.
- I recommend special aluminum mirror rails, which are often available as adhesive strips or screw-mounted systems. Since you want to avoid drilling, narrow double-sided, very strong mounting tapes or mirror tile adhesives would be useful.
- When applying the adhesive, be sure to check the recommended weight capacity of the mirror. You should definitely not use just any all-purpose glue, but an adhesive specifically designed for mirrors that won’t cause damage or discoloration.
- A good trick is to first hold the mirror against the door provisionally and fix it with tape before applying the adhesive, so you avoid mistakes.
Important: Mount any mirror rails outside the visible area for a better look and secure mechanical support. For removal, I recommend using a hairdryer to warm the adhesive first – this makes it easier to detach and keeps the surface intact.
Summary:
- Cleaning
- Adhesive or mounting tape made for mirrors
- Careful with weight
- Test placement and fixation before gluing
- Warm up before removal
If you need more detailed info about adhesives, just let me know!
I can help you with a step-by-step guide on how I attached mirrors to PAX doors – without drilling and with a secure hold:
- First, make sure to thoroughly clean the door so the adhesive or mounting tape sticks properly later.
- I recommend special aluminum mirror rails, which are often available as adhesive strips or screw-mounted systems. Since you want to avoid drilling, narrow double-sided, very strong mounting tapes or mirror tile adhesives would be useful.
- When applying the adhesive, be sure to check the recommended weight capacity of the mirror. You should definitely not use just any all-purpose glue, but an adhesive specifically designed for mirrors that won’t cause damage or discoloration.
- A good trick is to first hold the mirror against the door provisionally and fix it with tape before applying the adhesive, so you avoid mistakes.
Important: Mount any mirror rails outside the visible area for a better look and secure mechanical support. For removal, I recommend using a hairdryer to warm the adhesive first – this makes it easier to detach and keeps the surface intact.
Summary:
- Cleaning
- Adhesive or mounting tape made for mirrors
- Careful with weight
- Test placement and fixation before gluing
- Warm up before removal
If you need more detailed info about adhesives, just let me know!
PRA64 schrieb:
I recommend special mirror rails made of aluminum, which are often available as adhesive strips or screw-on systems.If you want to avoid drilling, use strong double-sided mirror tape instead, which is usually sufficient for thin PAX doors. Important: Clean the door thoroughly to remove any grease beforehand.
TELULA schrieb:
Since PAX doors are usually made of rather thin material, I want to avoid drilling through them to prevent compromising stability or appearance.I wonder if the concern about drilling is really justified, as many PAX doors are sturdy enough to handle small screws.
If you want to mount the mirror permanently and very securely, screws with appropriately narrow wall plugs or special screws can indeed be the most stable solution. Adhesives can lose their bonding strength over time and are not always reliable, especially if the doors warp or if temperature and humidity fluctuate.
Are there already people here who have had to drill into mirrors on PAX doors, and how is the long-term stability? Another dealbreaker for me would be if the door gets spots from glue that fade or stay sticky over time.
A counter question: How heavy exactly is your mirror? This should not be underestimated. It’s not just about appearance but mainly about safety.
theo63 schrieb:
I wonder if the fear of drilling through is really justified I see your point, but it greatly depends on the material. PAX doors can also be made of lightweight MDF with a foil covering – drilling into those is not necessarily trouble-free.
A quick tip for mounting with adhesive strips:
- If possible, use mirrors with a maximum thickness of 4 mm (0.16 inches)
- Apply mounting adhesive in small amounts to prevent moisture from getting behind the mirror (use small adhesive dots)
- The door should not rest directly on a soft foam backing (increased stress under load!)
For those who want to be absolutely safe, mirror hangers with a clamping function on the door edge can be used, if the door design allows it. However, this varies depending on the PAX door model.
Small drill holes for mini screws are usually barely visible, since they are often installed from the inside – but this requires some skill and a bit of courage.
Conclusion: Both methods have their pros and cons; adhesive mounting looks cleaner and leaves no residue if removed carefully, drilling is more stable but takes longer and may leave marks.
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