Acrylic mirrors
anyone know if they are any good for looking at yourself in?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 9:38, 9 replies, latest was 17 years ago)

Probably the same as you get in public toilets, schools, etc.
I would imagine that they would scratch fairly easily.
(oneinthepink is at your cervix m'lady, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 9:52, Reply)

hmm, this sounds likely
I doubt scratching would be much of an issue in my bathroom, but you can never tell!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 10:08, Reply)

I think
you also have to be careful what you clean them with or after a while they become hazy.
(Errorist, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 10:12, Reply)

^
I'm sure that acrylic is subject to water absorption that can increase the opacity/whitening of it.
Might not be too good in a bathroom with steam n all that.
(oneinthepink is at your cervix m'lady, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 10:22, Reply)

^ I thought that
But then wondered if I made it up :p
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 10:32, Reply)

I think it's a bad choice for a bathroom
At least glass isn't going to go funny from steam.
( Cawl, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 10:35, Reply)

useful points all
I've found somewhere that will send me a free sample, so I can check out some of its properties at least.

I've just found something about the water absorption.

seems that it's ok if not backed with anything, but if it is (like on a mirror) then it can't release the water, and will end up bowing.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 10:44, Reply)

If you just wanted a little mirror
I could make you one. But 50cm is a bit big to fit in the evaporators that we have here.

I should explain - metallisation of mirrors is commonly done by evaporation of the reflective metal onto the glass. This is done by placing it in a vacuum chamber, pumping it down to high vacuum, and heating the desired metal (usually aluminium) to high temperature using an electric current passed through the vessel holding it, called a boat.

The metal melts and evaporates and because there's no air, it doesn't oxidise, but condenses on all the cold surfaces (including your piece of glass) in the chamber. When you vent the chamber and remove the glass, it's nicely coated with metal and is very reflective.

A little lacquer on the metal surface to stop it from being damaged, and voila, one mirror. Frame as required.

Unfortunately I'd struggle to get anything bigger than about 150mm diameter in the evaporators here.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 13:53, Reply)

a custom made one would be nice
we're after something probably 400 by 600

I'm pretty tall and so want to be able to use my mirror without stooping, yet it needs to be low enough for my gf's midget family to use when they visit....
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 5 Sep 2008, 14:00, Reply)