How to Acid Wash Mirrors

Over time, stubborn oil and dirt can tarnish the surface of the mirror.

If you are tired of constant grease and water stains on your mirrors, consider giving them an acid wash. An acid wash, as you may guess by the name, involves washing the mirror with nitric acid. It cleanses the mirror and increases the shine. While washing your mirrors with acid is dangerous, few other washing techniques can equal the quality of an acid wash. Unfortunately, it does not prevent your mirror from accumulating dirt at its normal rate.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Mask
• Goggles
• Water
• Dish soap
• Cloth
• Cotton swabs
• Acetone
• Popsicle stick
• Nitric acid

Instructions

1. Protect your hands, eyes and face by wearing gloves, a mask and a pair of goggles. Even the fumes from the nitric acid can burn you, so you can never protect your skin enough when you handle it.

2. Remove the mirror from the wall before you begin cleaning it. If the mirror is still on the wall as you clean, any liquid (including the acid) you use to clean the mirror will drip to the floor. Remove any frames from the mirror in order to clean the entire surface.

3. Clean the surface of the mirror with warm water and dish soap. Use a damp cloth to apply the warm water and dish soap.

4. Rinse the soap from the mirror with a damp cloth. Repeat the soaping and rinsing process at least three times. It never hurts to repeat yourself when you want a thoroughly clean mirror.

5. Dry the surface of the mirror with an absorbent cloth.

6. Swab the mirror with a cotton swab with acetone. Swab the cotton ball across the entire surface of the mirror. Keep the acetone swabs away from any open flames and dispose of them in an equally flame-free environment. Leave the mirror to dry thoroughly before you continue with the cleaning.

7. Attach a cotton swab to the end of a Popsicle stick. Dip the swab into the container of nitric acid. Apply the acid to the face of the mirror. Let the nitric acid dry thoroughly.

8. Apply the acetone once again to the mirror. Repeat the application of the acetone and then the acid at least three times to be thorough.

9. Soak a swab in regular water and use it to wipe off the acid on the mirror. Dispose of your cotton swab. Study the mirror closely as you wipe off the acid. If water beads on the surface, it means the cleaning was not thorough and you will have to repeat the entire procedure once again.

References

• Amature Telescope Makers: Notes on the Silvering of Mirrors