Q&A for How to Make Mirrors by Silvering Glass

The surface of the glass is perfectly smooth, so it will be a perfect mirror. The surface on the silver metal itself is not smooth enough to be a mirror. It will be nearly smooth like the dull side of aluminum foil, which is not smooth enough for a mirror.

Silver nitrate is corrosive, but not explosive. It may cause abrasions or burns to the skin.

The chemical is a mixture of silver nitrate, sodium hydroxide, water, ammonia and sugar.

Plexiglas does not mirror as well as glass or other plastics.

Use a hot air torch or a hair dryer from the underside. You need to have curbs around the glass to stop the liquors from overflowing. A broad rubber band may work.

Heat it until the solution turns into a creamish color. That's how you know it is finished.

Look for a mirror or glass repair service near you. They should be able to direct you to the right place to re-silver a mirror.

The glass surface is normally normally thoroughly cleaned washed off with clean water and then "tinned" before applying the silver nitrate mixture, this is then washed again before copper solution is applied, again washed off, dried (normally by blowers) then paint to protect.