Posted by Mike Jackson on February 17, 2004
Here's another tip I learned from Rick Glawson:
If you use aluminum oxide to blast or frost the glass, you must wash the glass with Lye soap to remove the micro particles of aluminum in the glass. It tarnishes the silver mirroring solution if you don't .
To stay away from the issue, Rick recommended using silicon carbide abrasive.
I believe I saw the comment in Sarah King's Angel Gilding instructions, but it is an easy step to miss if not paying attention.
Mike Jackson
Mike King
Yes, if you use alumina (aluminum oxide), you will end up with some left on the surface and it will react with the silver, reducing its effectiveness. Alumina and aluminum metal both dissolve in lye (sodium hydroxide) which is why you should not use alkalis such as lye or washing soda to wash aluminum pots and pans (unless you want them REALLY clean!)
Mike King
Denver Chapter of the Letterheads