Mirror glass: how to make your own hands?

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The mirror is the essential attribute of everyday life. The proper execution of it all can become the exclusive attribute of any interior. Thing created with his own hands, gives the interior a special irresistible. Those people who do not have the opportunity to buy a mirror with the desired design solution or size, we show you how to make a mirror of their own hands.

The mirror in the frame

Mirror - the subject with a smooth surface for reflecting light

Content

  • 1 Varieties of reflecting surfaces
  • 2 Materials used
  • 3 Making the mirror glass
  • 4 The process of manufacturing mirrors using glass
  • 5 Video: How to make a mirror out of the ordinary glass

Varieties of reflecting surfaces

To the mirror in the home manufacture of starters, you need to define the function that it will perform. Allocate the following reflective surfaces:

  • reflecting surface of optical devices;
  • household reflecting mirror surface.

Optical devices can have a variety of functions (zoom, light collection). Manufacturing data mirrors requires precise calculations and specialized equipment. Conventional mirrors have a function only reflect objects. In most cases, they are flat and do not need to build the skills or equipment.

Materials used

To create a mirror the following materials can be used in the home:

  • metals;
    steel coating

    Steel can be used for the manufacture of mirrors, but require special tools and specific skills

  • foil;
    Aluminium foil

    Suffice shiny and reflective aluminum foil

  • cardboard;
    Cardboard for the mirror

    Cardboard frame for a mirror

  • plastic;
    plastic mirror

    Silver Acrylic plastic mirror

  • glass.
Frame with glass

Frame with mirror glass for the manufacture by a special coating

The most modern version of the reflecting surfaces is plastic. Mirrors of this material produced by means of the spraying process. Working with this material requires special equipment and professional skills.

Mirror made of glass or metal, anyone can do it manually. Tools and machinery needed most primitive, but for silvering glass needed chemicals that are freely available.

Besides the above-described foil material can be used.

Making the mirror glass

Glass is the most suitable material for the self-made mirror.

  • selection

Initially, you need to select the appropriate sheet of glass. The best option would be to use a conventional windowpane. When buying, pay attention to the condition of the glass. It should be no scratches, no damage. The glass sheet must be as smooth.

Flat windowpane

Flat window glass is perfect for a mirror

  • pruning

The next step is cutting the glass. It needs to be cut along the contour of the mirror of the future. Craft sketch for pruning may be of conventional paperboard.

glass trim

For proper cutting of glass need flat table, a good tool, special skills

  • Silvering.
    glass silvering

    Silvering - the process of coating the surface of a solid glass material, a thin silver layer

Making the mirror at home will require you to:

  • latex gloves;
    Rubber gloves

    Rubber gloves - to protect hands from chemical attack

  • protective glasses;
    Protective glasses

    Protective goggles against ingress of fluids and chemicals

  • detergents;
    Detergents

    Liquid detergents

  • purified water;
    Purified water

    Water, purified from impurities

  • potassium hydroxide (15%);
    potassium hydroxide

    Potassium hydroxide - inorganic compound

  • ammonia (25%);
    Aqueous ammonia

    Aqueous ammonia solution - liquid transparent color with a pungent odor

  • formalin;
    Formalin

    Formalin - a colorless gas with a pungent odor

  • nitrogen silver;
    nitrogen silver

    Silver nitrate is widely used in the production of mirrors, and photographic materials

  • laboratory scales;
    laboratory scales

    laboratory scales - easy to use and accurate measuring device with the basic functions

All necessary chemicals and reagents is better to buy through any available Internet shop or at any pharmacy of your city.

The process of manufacturing mirrors using glass

  1. It is necessary to thoroughly wash the surface and edges of the glass using pure distilled water, any detergent and cloth. After the glass sheet must be thoroughly dry and remove the remaining water.
    Prepare glass

    Prepare quality glass intended for manufacturing a mirror with no cracks and no damage

  2. Before the step of silvering the surface and edges of the glass must be free of grease. Use fifteen percent solution of potassium hydroxide.
    cleansing the mirror

    For purification omit it in a solution of potassium hydroxide 15%

  3. Then it is necessary to put in the glass vessel filled to overflowing with distilled water to prevent sticking to it dirt particles and dust.
    Tdealno clean glass

    Glass after thorough rinsing

  4. Next, all the ingredients should be mixed solution in which the mirror layer is applied. It is necessary to take thirty milliliters of water and sprinkle with about 2 grams of nitrogen silver, thoroughly mix. After pouring dvadtsatipyatiprotsentny ammonia necessary for small dropwise until complete disappearance of precipitate. Add about one hundred milliliters of water and leave the solution for ten to fifteen minutes.
  5. Starting the addition of formalin in an amount five milliliters of the bulk solution. A solution ready for mirror coating.
  6. In the bathroom or other container put glass sheet, cover the surface and edges of the prepared solution. silvering process time takes from two to five minutes. After gat it from the solution and wash residue with purified water.
    Application of paint spray

    Applying paint to spray in the absence of some materials and reagents

  7. Already the mirror is necessary to dry the glass. You can use the industrial dryer.
    Dry the finished mirror

    Dry the finished mirror

  8. It should cover the window portion of the mirror dark layer of ink (black or gray). Dry them flowing with a soft cloth, and use safely to its destination.
  9. You arrange the mirror There are two main ways: to make beautiful and original frame or create a glass sheet.
    decorate the mirror

    Makes a beautiful framed and hung the mirror

Video: How to make a mirror out of the ordinary glass