Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way

Mystereon · 07-10-2010, 09:06 PM

Hello there, Mr Ian here..
I've had to rejoin because I lost my login details, and coudn't find the old email I joined under.. Been a lurker for ages, but now I need your help please guys (and girls)...
I make bubble lenses for stormtrooper lids out of 3mm branded perspex, and have always wanted to do chromed ones for black lids.. I've tried Mylar sheet and it either doesn't curve properly or it tears, and I've tried using Iridium motorbike visors, and again the coating ripples and/or goes frosty.. essentially rendering the lenses useless..

I'm looking into silver nitrate mirroring by sedimentation..
Has anyone here tried this or could shed some light on the process..
where would I get the solution etc?? is it poisonous? is it effective?
I'd presume I would form clear lenses and coat the rear of them, to give a reasonably tough exterior..

or

Is there any easy way of stretching mylar without the surface distorting?

I figure a lot of props use domed lenses and this information could well be useful to loads of us on here..

Mystereon · 07-10-2010, 09:14 PM

Just to add ..this is what I've found so far...
courtesy of - Mirror Fun: Silvering and Re-Silvering and How to Make Your Own One-Way Mirrors

ONE-WAY OR X-RAY MIRRORS
These mirrors can be made in any one of three ways.

The ordinary mirroring solution is diluted from 50% to 75% with distilled water.
In making the mirroring solution use 1/2 to 3/4 less Silver Nitrate and Rochelle Salts, but do not reduce the amount of water used.
The ordinary mirroring solution is used but let it set to deposit only half as long as you do ordinary mirroring, and pour off the balance of the water. If a mirror is placed under the glass that is being silvered, on an angle, the reflections of the results of precipitation will be clearly shown and you can tell when to discard the water on the glass and also note the transparency.

When silvered, if held up to the face, it can be looked through from the front, seeing everything in front of it clearly, but to anyone on the other side or front of the mirror, it looks like just an ordinary mirror showing their image and they are unable to see your features at the back.

Shylaah · 07-10-2010, 09:53 PM

How about this stuff? Is this the same stuff the motorcycle helmets would be made out of? It has a non-delamination guarantee.

If the mylar messing up is the problem, would it be possible to sandwich a sheet of the mylar between two sheets of the perspex you're using? Does the perspex come thinner than the 3mm? 2mm maybe? 1mm would be just about Seran wrap!

Not adhering the mylar to either piece, just let it 'float' in there and be formed with the two pieces of perspex?

?

Shylaah

Mystereon · 07-10-2010, 11:06 PM

I use the 3mm because the 1mm is pretty tricky to heat up, it burns v easily.. remember it's perspex and the window of heat tolerance is quite narrow.. it goes floppy then bubbles begin to appear as the perspex gases itself from within..
And I'm sure I tried this but the mylar ripples and folds, rather than forming..
I'm not vacforming them by the way... er.. I use a different method..

punisher · 07-11-2010, 11:48 AM

how do you make lenses without vacuforming?

Mystereon · 07-11-2010, 08:15 PM

"er.. I use a different method..

"

I've ordered some silver nitrate and rochelle salts.. Watch this space...

punisher · 07-12-2010, 12:36 PM

k I guess Ill just say er... I know how to do what you're wanting but I use a different method.

n0x23 · 07-12-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

k I guess Ill just say er... I know how to do what you're wanting but I use a different method.

Hahaha!

I guess sharing is a one-way street in the UK.

.

Mystereon · 07-13-2010, 01:48 AM

Ok, fair enough.. I'll post my results when the mirror solution arrives..
Your method wouldn't work with my technique , so it's pointless giving mine away,
I've tried laminating and shrinkfitting, and most pre-mirrored materials, but they just don't work..
Most people would vac the lenses , but I don't have a vacformer and my method seems
to produce consistent results on a small scale.. i'm in no hurry to share it.
I just want to know how to coat a surface with a mirror, lets not stray from the issue please??
I'm going to mask the front of the lense with latex so only the rear gets coated, then hopefully just peel away the latex, and be left with a perfect mirror behind 3mm of clear perspex, that should give a nice impression of depth..

TheFifthSparrow · 07-13-2010, 01:51 AM

I bet you're using a heat gun...aren't you?

Mystereon · 07-13-2010, 02:05 AM

Nope , Aluminium tooling, an oven, a vice, a quick eye, and then a linisher and a dremel!

I want to know how to mirror them though.. before this thread goes off the rails!!

punisher · 07-13-2010, 02:13 AM

fair enough. Use a product called rub n buff chrome. It is not 100% chromed doing it this way however. just put the tiniest dab onto some paper and then touch a tiny bit to your finger. Smear it all around your finger and then lightly wipe it off, leaving a thin coat on your finger, then just VERY lightly rub the lenses. Or you could just use a cloth to do so. It will leave a mirrored finish but if you use too much, it will become chrome and very hard to see through.

Mystereon · 07-13-2010, 02:28 AM

Hmm, i've had a similar result using Molotov Burner chrome.. after spraying a lid with it, and then not getting the proper shine from it, I tried wiping it back, and thats when the chrome started to look good..
It doesn't work for visibility though.. grr

ImperialSurface · 07-13-2010, 04:59 AM

we can help with the chrome lenses either our alumaluster or our Gemini system

www.imperialsurface.com

Mystereon · 07-16-2010, 12:28 PM

Wow, very chromey! and at only $7000..... :/
will that do one way mirroring?

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07-10-2010, 09:06 PM	#1
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way Hello there, Mr Ian here.. I've had to rejoin because I lost my login details, and coudn't find the old email I joined under.. Been a lurker for ages, but now I need your help please guys (and girls)... I make bubble lenses for stormtrooper lids out of 3mm branded perspex, and have always wanted to do chromed ones for black lids.. I've tried Mylar sheet and it either doesn't curve properly or it tears, and I've tried using Iridium motorbike visors, and again the coating ripples and/or goes frosty.. essentially rendering the lenses useless.. I'm looking into silver nitrate mirroring by sedimentation.. Has anyone here tried this or could shed some light on the process.. where would I get the solution etc?? is it poisonous? is it effective? I'd presume I would form clear lenses and coat the rear of them, to give a reasonably tough exterior.. or Is there any easy way of stretching mylar without the surface distorting? I figure a lot of props use domed lenses and this information could well be useful to loads of us on here..

07-10-2010, 09:14 PM	#2
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way Just to add ..this is what I've found so far... courtesy of - Mirror Fun: Silvering and Re-Silvering and How to Make Your Own One-Way Mirrors ONE-WAY OR X-RAY MIRRORS These mirrors can be made in any one of three ways. The ordinary mirroring solution is diluted from 50% to 75% with distilled water. In making the mirroring solution use 1/2 to 3/4 less Silver Nitrate and Rochelle Salts, but do not reduce the amount of water used. The ordinary mirroring solution is used but let it set to deposit only half as long as you do ordinary mirroring, and pour off the balance of the water. If a mirror is placed under the glass that is being silvered, on an angle, the reflections of the results of precipitation will be clearly shown and you can tell when to discard the water on the glass and also note the transparency. When silvered, if held up to the face, it can be looked through from the front, seeing everything in front of it clearly, but to anyone on the other side or front of the mirror, it looks like just an ordinary mirror showing their image and they are unable to see your features at the back.

07-10-2010, 09:53 PM	#3
Shylaah . . . . . . . . Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 825	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way How about this stuff? Is this the same stuff the motorcycle helmets would be made out of? It has a non-delamination guarantee. If the mylar messing up is the problem, would it be possible to sandwich a sheet of the mylar between two sheets of the perspex you're using? Does the perspex come thinner than the 3mm? 2mm maybe? 1mm would be just about Seran wrap! Not adhering the mylar to either piece, just let it 'float' in there and be formed with the two pieces of perspex?? Shylaah

07-10-2010, 11:06 PM	#4
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way I use the 3mm because the 1mm is pretty tricky to heat up, it burns v easily.. remember it's perspex and the window of heat tolerance is quite narrow.. it goes floppy then bubbles begin to appear as the perspex gases itself from within.. And I'm sure I tried this but the mylar ripples and folds, rather than forming.. I'm not vacforming them by the way... er.. I use a different method..

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07-11-2010, 11:48 AM	#5
punisher Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Athens,Ga Posts: 2,691	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way how do you make lenses without vacuforming?

07-11-2010, 08:15 PM	#6
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way "er.. I use a different method.. " I've ordered some silver nitrate and rochelle salts.. Watch this space...

07-12-2010, 12:36 PM	#7
punisher Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Athens,Ga Posts: 2,691	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way k I guess Ill just say er... I know how to do what you're wanting but I use a different method.

07-13-2010, 01:48 AM	#9
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way Ok, fair enough.. I'll post my results when the mirror solution arrives.. Your method wouldn't work with my technique , so it's pointless giving mine away, I've tried laminating and shrinkfitting, and most pre-mirrored materials, but they just don't work.. Most people would vac the lenses , but I don't have a vacformer and my method seems to produce consistent results on a small scale.. i'm in no hurry to share it. I just want to know how to coat a surface with a mirror, lets not stray from the issue please?? I'm going to mask the front of the lense with latex so only the rear gets coated, then hopefully just peel away the latex, and be left with a perfect mirror behind 3mm of clear perspex, that should give a nice impression of depth..

07-13-2010, 01:51 AM	#10
TheFifthSparrow Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 50	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way I bet you're using a heat gun...aren't you?

07-13-2010, 02:05 AM	#11
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way Nope , Aluminium tooling, an oven, a vice, a quick eye, and then a linisher and a dremel! I want to know how to mirror them though.. before this thread goes off the rails!!

07-13-2010, 02:13 AM	#12
punisher Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Athens,Ga Posts: 2,691	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way fair enough. Use a product called rub n buff chrome. It is not 100% chromed doing it this way however. just put the tiniest dab onto some paper and then touch a tiny bit to your finger. Smear it all around your finger and then lightly wipe it off, leaving a thin coat on your finger, then just VERY lightly rub the lenses. Or you could just use a cloth to do so. It will leave a mirrored finish but if you use too much, it will become chrome and very hard to see through.

07-13-2010, 02:28 AM	#13
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way Hmm, i've had a similar result using Molotov Burner chrome.. after spraying a lid with it, and then not getting the proper shine from it, I tried wiping it back, and thats when the chrome started to look good.. It doesn't work for visibility though.. grr

07-13-2010, 04:59 AM	#14
ImperialSurface Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way we can help with the chrome lenses either our alumaluster or our Gemini system www.imperialsurface.com

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07-16-2010, 12:28 PM	#15
Mystereon Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW UK Posts: 19	Re: Mirroring lenses the old fashioned way Wow, very chromey! and at only $7000..... :/ will that do one way mirroring? Last edited by Mystereon; 07-16-2010 at 12:35 PM.