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Supplies & Equipment for Industrial Use Only

Chemicals, solutions, coatings, equipment, and supplies for the manufacturing of mirrors and the metalizing of various substrates. Representative samples of solution and paint batches are carefully checked in our laboratory, assuring that the product will perform successfully for the intended purpose.

Organized by category

Silvering Solutions

The High Efficiency (HE) -300 is used extensively by the hand-silvering and recording industries. It is a three part sludgeless system where two of the solutions are mixed together before use. Besides the increased efficiency in depositing more silver with less waste, the adhesion of silver to glass is improved when using this product. The formulation is flexible so that variations in reaction times can be attained by heating or varying the concentration of solutions. Solutions can be applied with conveyor systems, hand sprayed or poured. See direction sheets for mixing instructions. When ordering silvering chemicals, be aware of their shelf life. Storage in a cool dark place prolongs shelf life. Refrigeration is recommended but not necessary. Store containers tightly capped.

Shelf Life: Silver Solution “A”: 1-2 yr.; Activator Solution “B”: 6-9 months; Reducer Solution “C”: 1-2 yr..

antique mirror

Sensitizing Solutions

Formulated specifically for hard to “wet surfaces” such as waxes, plastics, rubber, and silk screen inks, this liquid concentrate is also excellent on old and new glass.

Also used on silvering conveyors with long “laytime” between the tin rinse and the silvering section. Some formulations are concentrates; use 2-4 ounces per gallon of deionized water. The amount of wetting required will determine the exact mix.

Shelve lives vary between 6 months to over one year (see respective product listings). Keep the bottle tightly capped and in a cool dark place. A diluted solution has a pot life of 24 hours and must be made fresh daily.

Turntable

Mirror Backing Paints

Used alone as a clear finish, a one way mirror is created. On antique mirrors where the copper layer must not show through, it can be used as a “copper free” prime coat followed by a top coat.

Hubble Telescope Backup Mirror 641x028

Solvents and Thinners

Our thinners and solvents are top grade. Unlike some cheaper brands, they are refined from new stock and are purer than those refined from reclaimed or recycled materials.

To prevent the introduction of contaminants into mirror backing paints, we recommend the use of our solvents and thinners.

Air Spraying Silvering

Polishing Compounds

Cerium Oxide (CeO) is used throughout the glass industry for polishing, scratch removal, and general cleaning. Peacock Labs offers three grades of CeO perfect for nearly every mirror or glass project.

Optical Mirror 641x028

Silver Strippers

Whether you are looking to remove silver and copper from glass when resilvering or for removing silver deposits from the face of mirrors, here are several options for stripping glass projects. Proper ventilation is required by the user to handle the corrosive fumes associated with hydrochloric acid (see our equipment section for respirators).

Chemist at work 641x028

Equipment & Supplies

The tools of the trade are diverse and many commercial shops have spraying systems that will properly utilize our silvering products. If your shop needs to update your application tools, needs to repair your tools, or want to purchase brand new tools, Peacock Labs stocks a wide array of sprayers, repair kits, and accessories to ensure the project is “done right”.

photo of an air sprayer in use

Chemicals

To assist our customers with their commercial and artistic mirroring projects, Peacock Labs stocks and sells many different chemicals. The following are some of the chemicals currently available. If there is something your project requires but is not listed in our e-store, please call us for availability and pricing.

Chemist at work 641x028

Looking for something not listed here?

While we strive to offer everything necessary to restore and create mirrors every project is unique. If your project requires something not found in our e-store, please give us a call at (215) 729-4400.

  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details
    The #175 Mirror Backing Paint is a resilient, dark gray to black, unleaded, air-dried paint used to add an extra layer as a tough top coat over the Copper Tite Vehicle #3 (with or without copper powder). This paint cannot be applied directly to silver. Apply with the usual methods of brush, spray, roller or curtain coating. This semi-gloss paint is a high solids paste and is economical to use. May be thinned with #178 Mirror-Backing Thinner. Use a thinning ratio of between 2:1 to 1:1 paint paste to thinner. Approximate coverage is 650 Square feet per gallon.
  • Out of stock
    The #390 Gray Mirror Backing Paint is specially formulated to serve as a protective coating on silver for decorative applications. This high-solids (more than 60%), lead-free coating can be applied directly on silver or on top of copper to provide superior protection for silver from corrosion. The paint can be applied using brush, spray, roller, or curtain coating. May be thinned with a variety of solvents (#281, #178 or xylene) to meet stringent air quality standards. Use a thinning ratio of between 2:1 and 1:1 paint to thinner. Approximate coverage is 500 square feet per gallon.  
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    Copper Tite Vehicle #3

    $66.00$620.00
    Copper Tite Vehicle #3 is a crystal-clear, durable air-dry lacquer that provides superior tarnish protection and remarkable resistance to salt-air atmosphere as well as superior resistance to ultra-violet light. Formulated without harmful organic compounds, it has special ingredients that chemically bond to the copper or the silver layer of a mirror. It can be used in different ways as a mirror backing paint. Used alone as a clear finish, a one way mirror is created. On antique mirrors where the copper layer must not show through, it can be used as a "copper free" prime coat followed by a top coat of, for example, the #175 mirror backing. When it is mixed with the Peacock Copper Powder, it forms the basis of Peacock's non-electrolytic copper backing process. In this process, a specially prepared copper powder is dispersed in the copper tite vehicle and then sprayed onto silver forming a copper-polymer prime coat. Top with #175 Mirror Backing Paint. Thin with #281 Standard Thinner.
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    Copper Powder

    $50.00$275.00
    Peacock Copper Powder is a specially prepared powder made from copper metal. Use with Copper Tite Vehicle #3 in the Peacock non-electrolytic copper mirror backing process. Recommended mix: 6 pounds Copper Powder to 4 gallons Copper Tite Vehicle #3.
  • Nitric Acid is used for dissolving silver from glass for re-silvering and titration. Proper ventilation is necessary to tackle the acid fumes when using this product.
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    #87 Degreaser Solution

    $38.00$339.00
    The #87 Degreaser Solution is a highly concentrated liquid cleaner and degreaser used for cleaning glass and plastic surfaces. It has been shown to remove hard to remove oils, organic residues, and fingerprints from a variety of ceramic, and plastic surfaces.
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    Deionized Water

    $15.00$60.00
    Deionized water for use in dilutions for silvering and related chemical processes. When possible, deionized water should be used when silvering.
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details
    The #178 Mirror Backing Thinner is a mineral spirits blend to be used with #175 Mirror Backing Paint for reduction and clean up.

  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details
    The #281 Standard & Mirror Backing Thinner is a specially-refined form of xylene for use with the Copper Tite Vehicle #3, Permalac products, and other standard backing paints. Use when the ambient temperature is 50°F to 65°F. Thin Pemalac Original, EF 20% when spraying. No thinner will be needed for brushing unless you notice brush strokes or irregularities.

  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    #500 Retarding Thinner

    $37.00$323.00
    The #500 Retarding Thinner is a Glycol Ether solvent added to a paint mix to retard its drying time in hot weather applications. It should be used to extend flow time and prevent solvent blush when working in high temperatures or high relative dew points. This will make Permalac/lacquer take around an hour to set up. It can also be used as a cleaner for finishing metals. Use between 5% and 10%. Use when humidity exceeds 85%.
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    #69 Warm Weather Thinner

    $33.00$302.00
    #69 Thinner is a medium speed lacquer thinner. Use when the ambient temperature is 66°F to 85°F. When spraying, thin 20%. If the Permalac is drying too quickly, and you notice blush or any other adverse effects, you can increase this to 30%. When brushing, thin 10%.

  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    C-22 Wetting Agent

    $38.00$339.00
    The C-22 Wetting Agent is a concentrated solution recommended for silvering applications on hard-to-wet surfaces such as acrylics, silicone rubber, etc. This agent is usually applied prior to sensitization.
  • Hydrochloric Acid (37% Reagent-Grade): When used for stripping silver, hydrochloric acid forms a water-insoluble white precipitate that is easily removed from waste water. Proper ventilation is required by the user to handle the corrosive fumes associated with hydrochloric acid.
  • Sodium Hydroxide Pellets (5 Pound Bag)
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    Stannous Chloride Crystals

    $255.00$1,020.00
    Stannous Chloride (Tin Chloride) Crystals
  • Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page / Details

    Iron Powder

    $75.00$123.00
    Iron Powder for use with mirror backing and/or copper plating prior to mirror backing.
  • Methanol Solution
  • Peacock Silver Antiquing Compound is used to give mirrored finishes an aged, antique tarnish. To create an antique finish, first create your mirrored finish. Sprinkle the antiquing compound onto the reflective surface (when wet or dry) and then apply the mirror backing paint. As the antiquing compound reacts with the mirror coat, it will "age" the finish.  
  • The Sensitizing Spray Gun is a single nozzle spray gun for applying sensitizer solution. It is made of a stainless steel fluid body to resist corrosion with acid solutions. One fluid coupling at fluid inlet for 1/4 inch tubing or one siphon bottle is needed.
  • The Standard Silvering Spray Gun is a dual-head spray gun used for spraying two materials that need to mix after spraying. Great for Chroming, Silvering Mirrors or any other dual component spraying. The wet sections are 303 Stainless Steel which allows spraying of corrosive fluids. The sprayer can be fed by siphon bottles (USP-QT), gravity fed or pressure fed from a tank. Two fluid couplings at fluid inlet, for 1/4" tubing, or two siphon bottles are needed.
  • Plastic quart siphon bottle assembly with fittings that connect it to the fluid inlets of our spray guns. Stainless steel parts for spraying corrosive liquids.
  • The deluxe spray gun repair kit contains parts used to repair the older Deluxe Silver Spray Gun model (no longer sold). It contains the following parts:
    Standard U-3687 - PTFE packing assembly for silvering gun 2 ea
    Standard U-3664 - PTFE piston assembly for silvering gun 2 ea
    Standard U-3677 - Needle for new standard silvering gun 2 ea
    Standard U-0 - U-0 Fluid Tips 2 ea
    Standard U-2500 - U 2500 Springs 2 ea
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