I have a large mirror 62” x 36” x 1/4” that is secured to the exterior bathroom wall using a j-channel at the bottom (secured into studs I believe) and tan mastic behind the mirror itself. At the top of the mirror is another j-channel but it is just glued in place.
From my other thread I am concerned about the paint adhesion so I want to add supplemental clips.
One option is to install clips on the side of the mirror, about 7 inches from the top and bottom on each side for a total of 4 clips using plastic anchors. In theses areas the drywall was skimmed because the old mirror removal tore out the paper.
The second option is to install two clips at the top and have the clips overlap the decorative j-channel and screwing those each into stud. Luckily the stud placement allows me to get the clips 10 inches in from one corner of the mirror and 8 inches in from the other side. Not perfect spacing but unless you really pay attention I think it would be hard to notice because of the bathroom layout.
The problem with option two is that there is a gap between the clip and the wall so I’d need a spacer. Additionally I’m wondering about dissimilar metal corrosion since the j-channel appears to be aluminum, the clips chrome, and the longer wood screw I would need to make this work zinc. The only thing I could think is to use a 1mm plastic space to separate the clip and j-channel. I do trust stud anchoring way more than plastic drywall anchors
Here’s a pic of the clip at the top to show the gap.
https://imgur.com/a/UqspLbZ
Here’s a pic of one installed at the side
https://i.imgur.com/uS9b5Gl.png
Why do you guys think?