The vessel in which the silvering is to be performed may be a circular
dish (Fig. 1) of ordinary tinplate, 16-1/2 inches in diameter, with a
flat bottom and perpendicular sides one inch high, and coated inside
with a mixture of beeswax and rosin (equal parts), At opposite ends of
one diameter two narrow pieces of wood, _a a′_, 1/8 of an inch thick,
are cemented. They are to keep the face of the mirror from the bottom
of the vessel, and permit of a rocking motion being given to the glass.
Before using such a vessel, it is necessary to touch any cracks that
may have formed in the wax with a hot poker. A spirit lamp causes
bubbles and holes through to the tin. The vessel too must always,
especially if partly silvered, be cleaned with nitric acid and water,
and left filled with cold water till needed. Instead of the above,
India-rubber baths have been occasionally used.
3d. In order to secure fine and hard deposits in the shortest time
and with weak solutions, it is desirable, though not necessary, to
warm the glass slightly. This is best done by putting it in a tub or
other suitably sized vessel, and pouring in water enough to cover the
glass. Then hot water is gradually stirred in, till the mixture reaches
100° F. It is also advantageous to place the vessels containing the
ingredients for the silvering solution in the same bath for a short
time.
4th. On taking the glass out of the warm water, carry it to the
silvering vessel--into which an assistant has just previously poured
the mixed silvering solution--and immediately immerse it face
downwards, dipping in first one edge and then quickly letting down the
other till the face is horizontal. The back of course is not covered
with the fluid. The same precautions are necessary to avoid streaks
in silvering as in the case of putting a collodion plate in the bath.
Place the whole apparatus before a window. Keep up a slow rocking
motion of the glass, and watch for the appearance of the bright silver
film. The solution quickly turns brown, and the silver soon after
appears, usually in from three to five minutes. Leave the mirror in the
liquid about six times as long. At the expiration of the twenty minutes
or half hour lift it out, and look through it at some very bright
object. If the object is scarcely visible, the silver surface must
then be washed with plenty of water, and set on edge on bibulous paper
to dry. If, on the contrary, it is too thin, put it quickly back, and
leave it until thick enough. When polished the silver ought, if held
between the eye and the sun, to show his disk of a light blue tint. On
coming out of the bath the metallic surface should have a rosy golden
color by reflected light.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account