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Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

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Ismael Alvarado
Posts: 130
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:00 pm

Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Post by Ismael Alvarado »

In my search for a substitute decorative Spray SilveringI am developing a substitute that is based on electroless nickel, one of my test sample was a glass sheet and the result was a very beautiful warm tone mirror(nickel has a different metal tone than silver), the optical properties appear to be exceptionally good.

I am not a sign artist but find the craft to be very beautiful, I wonder if any of you would be interested in such process, the nickel coat is very strong and does not tarnish, I will make my best effort at creating an art sign on mirror and post the results here to see what you guys think.
Kevin W Betz
Posts: 53
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:17 am

Re: Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Post by Kevin W Betz »

Would this include Glue Chipped Glass ?

kb
Ismael Alvarado
Posts: 130
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:00 pm

Re: Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Post by Ismael Alvarado »

Kevin W Betz wrote:Would this include Glue Chipped Glass ?

kb
Yes, glue chipped glass can be coated with nickel too, actually any dialectric surface that has been properly treated, sensitized and activated.
pat mackle
Posts: 162
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:35 pm

Re: Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Post by pat mackle »

Ismael, I am interested in knowing more about your nickel process. I imagine the nickel deposition is about the same thickness as when silver is deposited on glass. Can this nickel solution be sprayed with a silvering gun? my email is; decoglasspro@earthlink.net
Ismael Alvarado
Posts: 130
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:00 pm

Re: Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Post by Ismael Alvarado »

pat mackle wrote:Ismael, I am interested in knowing more about your nickel process. I imagine the nickel deposition is about the same thickness as when silver is deposited on glass. Can this nickel solution be sprayed with a silvering gun? my email is; decoglasspro@earthlink.net
The thickness of the nickel layer can be as thin or as thick as one desire, but for regular mirrors there is no need for thick coatings, just enough for the optical purposes, as long as the sulution is kept about 80 degrees celsius and the surface receives a constant flow of the electroless nickel chemical the glass will be nickel coated..

So far this is what I am experimenting.

For electroless nickel chemicals, I use Caswell plating electroless nickel part A and part B(8 oz each).

for the sentizer and activator I use Angel Gilding tin for gold and palladium chloride activator, I also use their wetting agent to coat plastic surfaces, since this is for cosmetic or optical purposes I dont require a thick coating and after the chrome effect is achieved I stop the coating time to one minute, then I just seal the plastics with a clear coat..

I have not sprayed this yet, but I will very soon, just need to keep the temperature in check, bellow 80 degrees no or very little nickel is deposited, no need for silvering gun.
pat mackle
Posts: 162
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:35 pm

Re: Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Post by pat mackle »

I am actually also interested in applying this nickel to metals as well as glass. A thin deposit of nickel onto the metal, and then an automotive clear coat for protection. I have an idea for use in lighting fixtures, as nickel metal color compliments etched glass very well.
Ismael Alvarado
Posts: 130
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:00 pm

Re: Nickel Coated Glass Mirrors

Post by Ismael Alvarado »

Yes, I am also coating metal with electroless nickel plating.
Here is what I purchased from Caswell and Angel Gilding for proof of concept.

http://i.cubeupload.com/54NCzU.jpg

https://i.cubeupload.com/yDS31I.jpg

I also purchase the required chemicals to make my own Electroless Nickel formula

https://i.cubeupload.com/fUsYum.jpg

https://i.cubeupload.com/zx5gy4.jpg

The process is rather simple and inexpensive, but palladium is very expensive, so far I am using the one sold by Angel Gilding which is the only source for the chemical in small/medium quantities for the proof of concept I am building, but I would really like to by pass this and use an alternate activator, but so far I have not been luck, Silver or copper are not catalytic to nickel-phosphorous process.
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