Mirror Basics
Mirror can be found in 1/8 inch and ¼ inch thickness. Pre-cut mirror tiles may be purchased at home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot and are generally 12 x 12 inches in diameter. If the mirror sizes for
your project are to be larger than 12 x 12 inches, or requires custom sizing, then ordering mirror through your
local glass and mirror shop is recommended.
What types of mirrors do and don’t work?
• A.M.P.S. does not work with Palladium mirrors. Palladium mirrors are commonly found at craft stores, such as Michaels, and are usually manufactured outside the U.S.A.
• Mirrors found at your local glass shop, Lowe’s, The Home Depot etc are recommended.
• Brand names to ask for are Binswanger / ACI, Carolina and Virginia Mirror. These brands of mirror will have a flat gray painted protective coating on the back. A small percentage of mirrors sold in the states and abroad have a green or glossy gray-green backing and this backing is more difficult to remove with the stripper.
Ordering Custom Mirrors
You will want to locate the best glass and mirror shop in your town for custom mirrors, particularly if you are
doing custom shapes and require exact sizing.
• Custom mirror thicknesses are 1/8”, 3/16”, and ¼”
• Mirror glass is available in multiple colors including clear, gray, bronze, blue, green and black. You will most likely want to order clear.
• Standard shapes include squares, rectangles, circles, ovals, hexagons and octagons. Special shapes CAN be cut when an exact paper pattern is provided.
• The most common edge finishing treatment is call a pencil polish edge and is a satin finish.
• Beveled edges are also common and can be done in sizes ranging from ½” to 1 ½”. Wider bevels are not available on 1/8” thick mirror glass.
• If exact measurements are crucial, be sure to request that they “hold to exact size”, as standard tolerances can range from 1/16” to 1/8”. This will generally be an “up charge”.
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Removing the Mirror Backing
Citri-Strip is the recommend paint stripper for removing the protective backing of the mirror. This product
needs to be used with adequate ventilation, preferably outdoors and out of the sun. Because it contains
combustible ingredients, take care when disposing tools, paper and plastic used. Allow them to dry out completely before disposing. Wear protective gloves when using as this product can cause skin irritation. Use only
in environments where the temperature is 65 degrees and above.
• Place mirror upside down on a clean, non-abrasive surface.
• Shake Citri-Strip well before use.
• Apply Citri-Strip to the protective backing in a thick, even coat using a natural bristle brush or paint roller. Take special care to apply the product thickly around the edges.
• After about 20 minutes the paint will start to release from the surface.
• When the paint has completely curdled, place a layer of paper such as newsprint or paper towel onto the released paint and press down gently.
• Pick up one end of the paper and pull away from the surface; the residual paint and stripper should pull away from the reflective coating along with the paper in an even sheet.
• The paint may also be pushed away with a paint roller or rag.
• When reflective coating is exposed there will be a golden texture, this texture should be removed by gently agitating residual stripper on reflective coating surface, in about a minute the texture will disappear then wash residual stripper away with water and a sponge.
• Dry both sides with a microfiber cloth. This will also help to remove any residual stripper or paint from the surface.
You can remove the paint backing in batches from mirrors and store them for future use or sample making.
You MUST take care to protect the sensitive reflective coating and keep them covered as they WILL begin to
tarnish on their own over time.
Citri-Strip Safety Precautions
Citri-Strip is a water based environmentally friendly paint remover designed to remove the tough protective
coating from the back of a mirror while leaving its reflective surface unharmed. • Eye protection, chemical
safety gloves & protective clothing recommended. Individuals with asthma or other serious respiratory conditions should not use this product. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. Do not ingest. Use in well-ventilated area
IF EXPOSED TO SKIN
• Wash thoroughly with soap & water.
IF SPLASHED IN EYES
• Flush with cold water for 15 minutes.
IF SWALLOWED
• DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING! Drink 2 glasses of water and call physician immediately.
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Mixing and Storing AMPS
The AMPS product comes encapsulated in its own mixing container. Do NOT remove the bag from the container. Simply fill the bottle with hot tap water.
Let this sit for 5 minutes and SHAKE WELL. This will dissolve the bag enclosing the materials and create the
full-strength AMPS concentrate. AMPS is now ready to use.
ALWAYS SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING!!
AMPS Strength Options
Controlling amount of tarnish and distress is possible by using different concentrations of A.M.P.S. as well as
length of time A.M.P.S. is allowed to work.
FULL: Undiluted Concentrate
MEDIUM: 1 part AMPS: 1 part water
LIGHT: 1 part AMPS: 2 parts water
IMPORTANT: Discard Medium & Light AMPS concentrations within 24 hours. The water dilution will render it
deactivated after this time.
STORAGE: Seal & store in dark cool place.
SHELF LIFE:
Unactivated: 12 Months
Activated and Undiluted: 6 Months
Safety Precautions and Recommendations
Read & follow all manufactures recommendations for Antique Mirror Patina Solution. AMPS is an alkaline and
has a DOT rating of 2, a mild corrosive. Heated A.M.P.S. will accelerate patina process but will also produces
odor and fumes. Avoid mixing with other chemicals, acids or alcohols. AMPS is not considered a carcinogen but
may cause irritation to airway passages or skin. AMPS contains sulfates.
IF EXPOSED TO SKIN
• Wash thoroughly with soap & water.
IF SPLASHED IN EYES
• Flush with cold water for 15 minutes.
IF SWALLOWED
• Induce vomiting and call physician immediately.
Basic Patination Methods
Different patterns of distress and tarnish are possible using different methods of application: Wipe, Pour, Spray,
and Saturation. Creating patterns in mirror is also possible using stencils, Modello Decorative Masking Patterns,
Automotive Detailing Tape, and Lace. Freehand patterns can also be created by painting on AMPS Gel.
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For any AMPS application it is important that both the AMPS solution and mirror are 70 degrees or warmer.
Hotter environments or exposure to direct sunlight will accelerate the patination process and level of distress.
Distress and tarnish patterns can be seen on front side of the mirror as the solution reacts to the silver surface.
Reaction can be arrested by washing AMPS off with water.
Wipe Technique
Dampen the reflective surface of the mirror with water. Pour AMPS
full strength, enough to cover the entire surface onto the surface and immediately distribute over the entire
surface with a paper towel, soft rag or paint roller.
Keep the solution fluid on the surface of the reflective coating redistributing it every 10 / 15 seconds and
observe the tarnish patterns forming on the front of the mirror. Continue this process until the tarnish and
distress has progressed to the desired level. When distress has progressed to the desired level, arrest chemical
reaction by washing solution off with water. 10% - 15% additional distress can occur after washing off AMPS.
RINSE WELL and allow to air dry.
Pour Technique
Dampen the reflective surface of the mirror with water. POUR either full strength or diluted solution onto the
reflective surface. Allow to air dry or observe transformation of distress from the front side of the mirror. When
distress has progressed to the desired level, arrest chemical reaction by washing solution off with water. 10% 15% additional distress can occur after washing off AMPS. RINSE WELL and allow to air dry.
Spray Technique
Dampen the reflective surface of the mirror with water. SPRAY an even layer of full strength or diluted solution onto back of mirror surface with a spray bottle. Allow to air dry or observe transformation of distress from
front side of mirror. When distress has progressed to the desired level, arrest chemical reaction by washing
solution off with water. 10% - 15% additional distress can occur after washing off AMPS. RINSE WELL and allow
to air dry.
Saturation Technique
Note: This technique works very well to create patterns with Modellos.
With the reflective coating on the back of the mirror is exposed, lay a soft natural fiber cloth, such as muslin,
onto the reflective coating. Saturate the cloth with water and smooth out any wrinkles. Spray or p our full
strength AMPS solution onto the cloth and disperse evenly with a paint roller.
When the reflective coating begins to darken, the color change can be observed through the cloth. The transformation may also be observed on the reflective side of the mirror. When the desired effect is achieved, remove the cloth and wash AMPS away with water, arresting the antiquing process. 10% - 15% additional distress
can occur after washing off AMPS. RINSE WELL and allow to air dry.
Note: The saturation technique will tarnish the reflective coating deeply and can remove areas of the coating.
This may be a desirable effect keeping in mind that paint color will show through these areas. A gray paint or
amber glaze can produce a pleasing effect in the reflective mirror surface. AMPS may be diluted up to 50% for
lighter tarnish effects.
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