Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 148, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1919 — Equipment Necessary and Processes for Silvering Familiar Looking-Glass [ARTICLE]

Equipment Necessary and Processes for Silvering Familiar Looking-Glass

There are several processes for silvering mirrors, the simplest of which, perhaps, is to provide n large flat stone table and spread upon it evenly a sheet of tinfoil without crease or blemish. This is covered uniformly to a depth of one-eighth inch with mercury. The plate of glass, perfectly cleansed of all grease and impurities, is floated in the mercury carefully so as to exclude air bubbles. It is then pressed down by loading with weights in order to press out the mercury which remains fluid. After about twenty-four hours it may be raised on its edge to harden, and should be finished in a few weeks. Anothep method involves the use of a solution made as follows: Mix one nnnee nitrate of silver, three ounces water, one ounce liquid ammonia and three ounces spirits of wine. Filter after solution has stood three or four hour's. To every ounce of the solution add one-fourth ounce sugar dissolved in equal quantities of water and alcohol. The surface to be silvered. 13 covered with this liquid at a temperature of 160 degrees, maintained till the deposition of silver is complete. When dry, coated surface is oovered with mastic varnish.