Attractive presentation of a picture, photograph or other image is a requirement for fine art practitioners. Similarly, a graphic artist aims to present images on an advertisement, or on a billboard, or on a shop front hoarding, in an appealing and attractive manner. One such medium is to frame the image in silver. A mirror is an appropriate backing for such framing as an entire surface is already silvered and mirrors are readily available for purchase. However, it is the rear surface of a glass pane that is silvered and the image must therefore be placed on the front surface and is thus spaced from the silver backing. The image is also exposed and readily damaged unless a protective layer is placed over the front surface of the mirror after the image has been affixed. It is thus difficult to create the desired effects around the border of the image because there is always this noticeable spacing between the image and its backing and, once created, additional steps must be taken to preserve the image from damage.

There is thus a desire for a better method of utilising mirror surfaces as a decorative or other item.

One such method to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages is disclosed in FR PatentApplication No. 2583-279-A. This document describes a process whereby silver is removed from a glass surface by scraping or dissolving in hydrochloric acid and an image is then affixed in the thus-cleared area. However, this method can only be of use as an intermediate step in the process of manufacturing a completed mirror. In particular, it is a step

undertaken before any backing paint is applied to the silver deposited on the glass surface. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a silver deposit on a glass surface is very prone to damage; it cannot be handled easily, nor can it be cut to the required size unless there is, for example, a backing coat of paint to protect the silver deposit. Further, hydrochloric acid is a hazardous material and appropriate precautions must be taken during its use to prevent injury to the user. The process described in this prior art is thus not suited to home or craft use, cannot be used on a finished mirror already cut to size, nor undertaken with less hazardous chemicals more suited to the amateur or professional craftsman.

It is a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of the known prior art.

The present inventor has discovered that the silver and its protective coating can be selectively removed from a mirror surface to expose the underlying transparent glass, thus allowing an image to be affixed on the rear surface of the mirror to be visible from the front of that mirror.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of applying a picture, photograph or similar image to a mirror surface, said mirror surface of the type comprising a sheet of transparent glass having a front surface and a rear surface, whereby said rear surface has a silver coating thereon which has subsequently been coated with a backing paint, said method including : selecting a said mirror surface;

masking that area of said rear surface from which said silver is not to be removed; removing said backing paint from that area of said rear surface which has not been masked to expose said silver ; removing thus-exposed said silver ; and applying said picture, photograph or similar image to clear glass thus- exposed on said rear surface.

Preferably, said masking is undertaken using sheeting.

Preferably, said sheeting is heavy duty vinyl sheeting.

Preferably, said backing paint is removed with a silicon-containing formulation.

Preferably, said silicon-containing formulation is a silicon-based mirror sealant which is conventionally used to seal the backing paint on the edges of mirrors.

Preferably, the exposed silver is removed using a mild abrasive cleaner.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which depicts the sequential steps (a) to (e) of the invention.

In this embodiment, an oval-shaped photograph is to be applied to the rear of a mirror (1). The mirror (1) is of a conventional construction comprising a silver coating on glass, the silver then being coated with a backing paint to

create a sealed painted rear surface (2). Heavy duty vinyl sheeting (3) with the required oval cutout (4) is adhered to the rear surface (2) of the mirror (1).

Judicial application of any suitable silicon-based mirror sealant known in the art to the cutout (4) dissolves the paint which can then be carefully removed exposing the underlying silver (5). If necessary, a solvent cleaner such as methylated spirits can be used to remove the last traces of paint from the cutout (4). Judicial application of any suitable mild abrasive cleaner known in the art to the exposed silver (5) enables removal of the silver (5) leaving exposed clear glass (6). If necessary, the cutout (4) can be washed with water to remove the last traces of the cleaner from the cutout (4). The vinyl sheeting (3) is then removed, once again exposing the painted rear surface (2). If required, any traces of adhesive remaining on the rear surface (2) can be removed with--methylated spirits.

The mirror (1) is thus ready to receive an image (not illustrated) in the cutout (4) which is now devoid of silver and backing paint. This image, although affixed to the rear of a mirror, is visible from the front of the mirror.

The present invention thus enables an image to be applied to the rear surface of an existing mirror but still be visible from the front. The completed presentation does not require any additional sealing of the front surface of the mirror to protect that image from damage although, optionally, a clear sealant or similar can be applied to the rear surface of the mirror over the image to further protect that image.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment is only an exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.