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Old 01-16-2022, 04:03 PM   #1
rivcokid
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Default Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

I've been reading up on using the boiling salt water method for cleaning the reflectors. My question is - has anyone had any luck spraying them with lacquer or other substance after they are cleaned and shiny to preserve them? I've seen it work with brass, stainless steel, and aluminum. Thanks!
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Old 01-17-2022, 07:18 AM   #2
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Default Re: Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

Any coating is going to reduce the reflectivity.
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Old 01-17-2022, 10:25 AM   #3
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Default Re: Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
Any coating is going to reduce the reflectivity.
x2. It can also crack and craze with heat, a mess to clean off.

I've found salted white vinegar to be very effective for removing tarnish at room temperature.

The modern aluminized reflectors are a more permanent solution.
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Old 01-17-2022, 10:47 AM   #4
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Default Re: Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

The modern aluminum reflectors have a thin coating of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) to protect the aluminum. It is not as reflective as bright silver but will not tarnish.
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Old 01-17-2022, 02:41 PM   #5
oldman - NorCal
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Default Re: Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

When I had my original reflectors re-silvered many years ago, the plater recommended I wipe them down with a flannel cloth once per year
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Old 01-17-2022, 05:10 PM   #6
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Default Re: Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

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Thanks all - I'm going to use the salt water technique (it's worked on silver items before). I'll try the flannel cloth wipe down too - interesting.
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Old 01-18-2022, 05:28 PM   #7
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Default Re: Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

The best preservative I have found is installing them. The cork seal works very well if done right and it is close to air tight thereby reducing oxidation.
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Old 01-18-2022, 07:07 PM   #8
Dale G.
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Default Re: Preserving cleaned silvered reflectors

Go to an artist supply store and get a tube of Lamp Black. This is used for oil painting. Using a flannel cloth, smear the Lamp Black onto the silver part of the reflector. Using a clean flannel cloth rub the smear away. It will look new again. Use only flannel as any other kind of cloth will leave scratches in the silver especially if you try to use micro fiber. Lamp black is carbon residue left on the inside of an oil lamp. The first time I cleaned a reflector, I had an oil lamp and was shown how raze the burning wick up high to make it smoke and soot would build up inside the globe. Take the globe off and run the flannel cloth around the inside so that the carbon would stick to the cloth. Then rub the silver with the lamp black. An old timer showed me how to use cigarette ashes on the flannel cloth and this worked as well. I would hesitate to do this today, who knows what is in cigarettes today. If your reflectors are not actually silver plated, this process will not work.
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