Chemical Safety

Our mirroring chemicals are safer than many household cleaners such as bleach and drain openers. We have tried to address our customers' most frequent safety questions. Please contact us if you have additional questions.

Chemical Burns:

The activator solutions for silver, gold, copper and galena mirrors are caustic (contain lye). Caustic solutions can irritate or burn your skin and especially your eyes. Flush the affected area with copious amounts of water and, if necessary, see your doctor. Wear protective gloves and eye glasses at all times.

Chemical Fumes:

Mirroring chemicals contain ammonia and formaldehyde which can irritate the lungs. Our Multi Gas/Vapor Respirator is specifically designed to protect you from concentrations of these gases up to 10 times the Permissible Exposure Limit. Wear a respirator and make sure your shop is well ventilated.

Spray silvering sends a cloud of chemicals into the air. Our pouring technique does not. Pouring is the least toxic method of silvering.

The solvent in Black Mirror-Backing Paint and Gilsonite Asphaltum is mineral spirits - the same solvent that is in most oil-based house paints. Permalac is dissolved with lacquer thinner. Use an exhaust fan or work by an open window when using these paints.

Chemical Stains:

Mirroring chemicals can stain your fingers, clothes and work bench. Use a small amount of the appropriate mirror remover to remove stains on your hands and then wash your hands thoroughly. Wear gloves and a protective apron. You can protect your work bench with a layer of newspaper.

Fulminating Silver

Concentrated silver solutions can be dangerous and, under rare conditions, explosive. The secret to avoiding this is to always dilute concentrated silver solutions before use, following our instructions. Once you have done this, there is enough water in the mix to prevent these problems. The concentrated silver itself is stable and is only a problem if mixed with concentrated activator without dilution. None of our other chemicals suffer from this problem.

Shipping:

We are fully trained in Hazardous Materials shipping. All of our chemicals are packaged and sold in quantities and concentrations below the level required for additional HazMat shipping charges.

Waste Disposal:

Our Waste Treatment Kit is EPA approved to treat mirror waste and includes instructions for use.

Material Safety Data Sheets

All of our products that are in any way hazardous have an MSDS (see MSDS.)

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