converting a regular mirror to a first surface one

[ghosttrain]

I had no idea...
Thoughts?

[CountFunkula]

Cool video! Thanks for posting!

[Bradfo69]

Nice! You can buy a box of 6 12" x 12" mirrors at Home Depot for $9.99.

[edison]

According to the video you can use paintstripper to remove the grey protective coating on the back, clean it and use that side so you have a first surface mirror. I will give it shot just for fun. Thanks for posting!!!!

[ghosttrain]

Do you expect any difference in reflectance? I don't see why there would be but I don't own a LPM to make a comparison.

[logsquared]

I have done this with plastic and glass mirrors. It does work. Most cheap hardware store mirrors have a crappy mirror coating with lots of pinholes.

[jors]

great idea! thanks for sharing

[ghosttrain]

Most cheap hardware store mirrors have a crappy mirror coating with lots of pinholes.

Pinholes? Are thr holes visible to the naked eye?
Any suggestion what mirrors aren't crappy, or how one can know by inspecting it, before processing?

I'd still love to see someone having a laser power meter try this out and see how reflective it is compared to first surface mirrors sold on the web.
I got a large mirror I took out of a korean tv which for some reason isn't first surface itself I could test this out on.

By the way am I the only one who's never heard of an orange peel oil, in a spray can?

[edison]

By the way am I the only one who's never heard of an orange peel oil, in a spray can?

I was exactly thinking the same , but probably other stuff like methylated spirit will also to clean the mirror.

[ghosttrain]

Or good old acetone, huh?
Time to find where I put my glass cutter and do some tests.