How to Make Mirrors by Silvering Glass

Last Updated: January 27, 2023

Modern mirrors are made by depositing aluminum. But back in the Victorian era aluminum wasn't available and so they made their mirrors using silver metal. Using silver nitrate (available online, or can be made in another wikiHow) you can make your own mirrors.

Steps

1
Get 1 gram of silver nitrate and 1 gram (0.035 oz) of sodium hydroxide in separate containers and add enough water to both to dissolve them.^{[1]
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2
Mix the two solutions together. A black precipitate of silver oxide will form.

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3
Add ammonia until the precipitate completely redissolves.^{[2]
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4
Add 4 grams of sugar and stir until dissolved.
5
Place your article you want to silver into the solution, or pour the solution into a tray containing your article (for larger articles like glass panes)
6
GENTLY heat the solution but DO NOT let it boil. Boiling tears the silver off the surface
7
Eventually the solution will turn to a cream color and your article is now silvered, take it out and wipe off the silver from where you don't want it.
8
If the silver is really stuck to places you don't want it you can apply hydrochloric acid.

Community Q&A

Question

Why can't this process be used to make front silvered mirrors?

Community Answer

The surface of the glass is perfectly smooth, so it will be a perfect mirror. The surface on the silver metal itself is not smooth enough to be a mirror. It will be nearly smooth like the dull side of aluminum foil, which is not smooth enough for a mirror.
Question

Silver nitrate is explosive, isn't it?

Community Answer

Silver nitrate is corrosive, but not explosive. It may cause abrasions or burns to the skin.
Question

What chemical is on the back of the mirror?

Community Answer

The chemical is a mixture of silver nitrate, sodium hydroxide, water, ammonia and sugar.

Warnings

Upon heating the solution will emit ammonia fumes, so do this outside or in a well-ventilated area.

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Perform the whole setup to finish in less than two hours, or else the solution may produce a potentially explosive concentration of silver nitride/imide/amide. (See "The Hazards Associated with Silvering Mirrors, Vacuum Flasks, etc.", Health and Safety Executive OC 687/7)

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When you're done, flush all chemicals and clean all surfaces with lots of water.

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Keep away from children or pets while you're doing this.

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Hydrochloric acid and Sodium Hydroxide will burn'" your skin if you get it on you.

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