Re: How to remove mirror coating?
Christopher Hicks (cmh@eng.cam.ac.uk)
Sat, 25 Mar 1995 17:44:48 GMT
> >>I want to refigure an 8" mirror that is overcorrected. How should
> >I remove the old aluminum coating.
>
> My favorite is Radio Shack printed circuit etchant, which is sold in pint
> bottles for a few dollars. It is a ferric chloride solution, completely
> harmless to glass and--I think--to fingers, although it is dark brown and
> may stain sinks and containers.
Doubtless it does the job, but it *is* nasty stuff. It will stain
clothes, fingers, some plastics (eg a lino floor) pretty much
permanently. I wouldn't want to get it anywhere near anything used
for food preparation. It will also remove chrome plating from
plumbing fittings, and damage stainless steel sinks etc. It won't
do any harm to glass.
I use it all the time for etching PCB's, and it is OK when handled
with care.
Christopher