A mirror is the most necessary attribute in a person’s everyday life. If done properly, it can even become an exclusive attribute of any interior. A thing created with your own hands gives the interior a special irresistibility. For those people who do not have the opportunity to buy a mirror with the desired design solution or dimensions, we will tell you how to make a mirror with your own hands.
Content
Types of reflective surfaces
Before you start making a mirror at home, you need to determine the function it will perform. The following reflective surfaces are distinguished:
- reflective surfaces of optical instruments;
- reflective surfaces of household mirrors.
Optical devices can have a wide variety of functions (magnification, light collection). The production of these mirrors requires the most precise calculations and specialized equipment. Regular mirrors only have the function of reflecting objects. In most cases, they are flat and do not require professional skills or equipment to create.
Materials used
The following materials can be used to create a mirror at home:
- metals;
Steel can be used to make a mirror, but it will require special tools and certain skills. - foil;
Quite shiny and reflective aluminum foil - cardboard;
Cardboard for the mirror frame - plastic;
Silver acrylic plastic mirrors - glass.
The most modern option for reflective surfaces is plastic. Mirrors made of this material are created using a spraying process. Working with this material requires special equipment and professional work skills.
Anyone can make a mirror from glass or metal by hand. The working equipment required is the most primitive, but for silvering glass you will need chemical reagents that are freely available.
In addition to the materials described above, foil can be used.
Making a mirror from glass
Glass is the most suitable material for making a homemade mirror.
- Choice
First, you need to choose a suitable glass sheet. The best option would be to use regular window glass. When buying, pay attention to the condition of the glass. It should not have any scratches or damage. The glass sheet should be as smooth as possible.
- Trimming
The next step will be cutting the glass. It needs to be cut along the contour of the future mirror. You can make a sketch for cutting from ordinary cardboard.
- Silvering
Silvering is the process of applying a hard material, a thin layer of silver, to the surface of glass.
Making a mirror at home will require you to:
- rubber gloves;
Rubber gloves – to protect hands from chemical exposure - protective glasses;
Protective glasses against exposure to solutions and chemicals - detergents;
Liquid detergents - purified water;
Water purified from impurities - potassium hydroxide (15%);
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound - ammonia (25%);
Ammonia aqueous solution is a transparent liquid with a pungent odor. - formalin;
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. - silver nitrate;
Silver nitrate is widely used in the production of mirrors and photographic materials. - laboratory scales;
Laboratory scales are easy to use and precise measuring devices with a set of basic functions
It is better to buy all the necessary chemicals and reagents through any available online store or at any pharmacy in your city.
The process of making a mirror using glass
- It is necessary to thoroughly wash the surface and edges of the glass, using clean distilled water, any detergent and a rag. Afterwards, the glass sheet must be thoroughly dried and the remaining water must be removed.
We prepare high-quality glass intended for the production of mirrors without cracks or any damage - Before the silvering stage, the surface and edges of the glass must be degreased. Use a fifteen percent solution of potassium hydroxide.
To clean it, we dip it into a 15% solution of caustic potash. - Then you need to place the glass in a container filled to the brim with distilled water to prevent dirt and dust particles from sticking to it.
Glass after thorough washing - Next, you need to mix all the ingredients of the solution with which the mirror layer will be applied. You need to take thirty milliliters of water and pour 2 grams of nitric silver into it, mix thoroughly. Then you need to pour in twenty-five percent ammonia in small drops until the sediment completely disappears. Add about one hundred milliliters of water and leave the solution for ten to fifteen minutes.
- We proceed to adding formalin in the amount of five milliliters to the main solution. The solution for mirror coating is ready.
- Place a sheet of glass in a bathtub or other container, cover its surface and edges with the prepared solution. The silvering process takes from two to five minutes. Then take it out and rinse the remaining solution with purified water.
Applying paint from a spray can due to the lack of some materials and reagents - The mirror glass must be dried. You can use an industrial hair dryer.
Drying the finished mirror - The mirror part of the glass should be covered with a layer of dark paint (black or gray). Dry, dry with a soft cloth, and safely use for its intended purpose.
- There are two main ways to beautifully decorate a mirror: make a beautiful and original frame or create a glass panel.
We make a beautiful frame and hang a mirror
