Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Where to get sheets of silver?

I am looking for sheets of silver to make some homemade mirrors. I like to do arts and crafts and need some information on where to get it and pricing. If you could give some advice I would appreciate it.

Thank You,

David Stiffler
- Fennville, Michigan
2002

Hello,

I just ran across your request for mirror sheets. I'm also looking for them and can't find them anywhere.

Thanks so much!

Debbie Reeves
- White Salmon, Washington
2003

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You folks may know something I don't know, and if so, my apologies. But to my knowledge mirrors are not made that way (probably because of the difficulty in keeping the silver from tarnishing, if for no other reason. Rather, mirrors are made with a "two-part silvering" solution. Silver nitrate and a reducing agent are simultaneously sprayed onto the glass, and the chemical reaction deposits metallic silver (look up Brashear process)

I haven't done it myself, and don't know how sophisticated the spray system needs to be, but letter 9550 makes we question whether it can be safely done at home.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005