Instructables

DIY front surface mirror.

video DIY front surface mirror.
Easy and fast way to make
cheap FS mirrors for
your laser projects.

More details
17 comments
Jul 11, 2011. 3:26 PMmcshawnboy says:
Would this work for building kaleidoscopes ? Randofo's recent newsletter had UR "Laser Spirograph" and I just kept following links. Thanks!
10
Jul 12, 2011. 12:48 AMAP Digital light (author) says:
Yes. You can use this technique to make FS mirrors for any project.
Jan 4, 2010. 3:09 PMdnelaa says:
great  work man - really !!

few questions if i may ask.

1- what was this green sticker on the mirror- is it paper made?
in what side did you put it - on the mirror side or the upside.

2- is it possible to do it for a real glass mirror

3- can this DIY front surface mirror be effective for like for cameras or for DIY LCD projector ?

sorry if my English is not clear - hop you understand.

Thank you!

 

10
Jan 5, 2010. 2:13 AMAP Digital light (author) says:
1 green sticker is paper masking tape. It's not really necessary but  I use for marking and protection purpose
It's more convenient when circle is marked on paper base than oh plastic when it 's easy to smear marker during work.
Tape is applied to back side of the mirror because at back side reflective layer is protected only by thing coat of paint so it can be accidentally damaged.

2 Yes, but can only remove paint from back side of glass mirror. Don't even try to cut glass and shape it with regular file!  For my project I needed round mirrors so I worked with acrylic.

3 Yes but you should remember that reflective coating is very gentle and easy to damage.
The best way to remove paint is to dip mirror in tank with paint remover then, after paint get loose, remove mirror and rinse it with distilled water.    
You should use rubber gloves and handle mirror by edges. 

I suggest you to use water based and non toxic paint remover.
  
22
Feb 3, 2008. 9:43 AMGorillazMiko says:
I might try this for my laser, if I can get it back from my dad. He took it away. :'-(
7
Feb 3, 2008. 10:19 AMkruser495 says:
why did it burn stuff?
22
Feb 3, 2008. 10:34 AMGorillazMiko says:
No, I brought it to places like the library, volunteering and stuff, so he took it away. I'll just make a new one if he doesn't give it back.
7
Feb 3, 2008. 10:35 AMkruser495 says:
How do you make a new one?
22
Feb 3, 2008. 10:44 AMGorillazMiko says:
Not that hard. ;-)
Dec 3, 2009. 9:07 PMstatic says:
 Ooops video removed by metacafe. Though I guessing you only salvaged a laser, not actually built a laser
7
Feb 3, 2008. 11:30 AMkruser495 says:
those actually burn stuff.
22
Feb 3, 2008. 11:32 AMGorillazMiko says:
Yeah, I know. ;-)
1
Feb 15, 2009. 5:53 PMelectfire says:
I have plenty of glass mirrors so i was wondering if you could do this with glass mirrors
10
Feb 16, 2009. 12:36 PMAP Digital light (author) says:
It works with glass mirror even better since glass cannot be dissolved by chemicals.
74
Feb 7, 2008. 5:13 AMrimar2000 says:
Very good idea. I suppose that it is also applied to glass mirrors.
2
Feb 3, 2008. 5:31 PMjugglingmaniac says:
i havent tried this project yet(laser light show) but cant you just use those dental things(to see in back of a tooth)? and take out the mirror.
10
Feb 3, 2008. 11:59 PMAP Digital light (author) says:
I don't have those things and I think it will be difficult to remove glued mirror without damaging it. But any tips worth a try, eh?

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Author:AP Digital light