STEP 1. STRIP PAINTED COATING FROM BACK OF MIRROR WITH
A.M.P.S. MIRROR STRIPPER
Mirror temperature must be above 70of to effectively / completely strip painted
coating. If temps are cold, mirrors may be warmed with a thermal blanket, or
heat lamp.
1-A: A.M.P.S. MIRROR STRIPPER APPLICATION
WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES & EYEWARE WHILE USING AMPS MIRROR PAINT REMOVER. USE IN A
WELL VENTILATED AREA. A.M.P.S. Mirror Stripper will not harm reflective coating.
Place the mirror on a non-abrasive surface, reflective side down / paint side
up.
Shake AMPS Mirror Stripper well and pour onto painted protective coating.
Distribute an even thick coat with paint roller. (Use synthetic non-foam
roller.)
1-B: A.M.P.S. MIRROR PAINT REMOVER PROCESS
Allow AMPS Mirror Paint Remover to remain on painted protective coating for
approximately 20 minutes or until paint curdles. Re-apply to areas that may
have been missed.
1-C: PAINT REMOVAL
When painted coating has curdled, we recommend the following two ways to remove
it.
1.) Paper Removal Technique: The curdled paint may be removed with newsprint or
butcher paper. Press paper onto the curdled paint evenly over entire surface.
The paint and residual paint remover will stick to the paper and pulling the
paper away will allow even removal of paint and residual stripper.
2.) Push-Off: Expose the reflective coating by pushing paint off with a paint
roller.
1-D: REMOVE GOLDEN TEXTURE
A light golden texture will be present on the mirrors exposed reflective
surface. Golden texture should be eliminated to ensure control of the
antiquing process. To eliminate this golden texture add a small amount of AMPS
Mirror Stripper to reflective coating. Rolling stripper over reflective surface
will eliminate golden texture in less than 1 min.
1-E: RINSE MIRROR
Wash away residual AMPS Mirror Stripper and remaining paint from reflective
coating with water while gently rubbing surface with a gloved hand or soft clean
rag. This will produce a clean even silver reflective coating.
STEP 2. ANTIQUING PROCESS APPLY A.M.P.S. FOR DESIRED
EFFECT
2-A: WHAT IS ANTIQUE MIRROR PATINA SOLUTION
Antique Mirror Patina Solution or A.M.P.S. is alkaline and when mixed with water
makes a concentrated alkaline solution. This solution will effectively tarnish
and distress the exposed reflective coating on the back of mirror. Because
A.M.P.S is an alkaline solution and not acid, tarnish and distress patterns
appear gradually allowing more control over the mirror antiquing process.
2-B: ANTIQUE MIRROR PATINA SOLUTION STRENGTH
Stir or shake A.M.P.S. Gel well before each use. Stronger (more
concentrated) solution will produce darker levels of tarnish and distress
Weaker (less concentrated) solution will produce lighter levels of tarnish and
distress.
FULL STRENGTH: AMPS is formulated to work in this strength
Mix 2 tablespoons of A.M.P.S. Gel per 24 fl oz of water to make full strength
A.M.P.S. 25 fl oz of full strength A.M.P.S. will tarnish approx. 20 square
feet of mirror surface.
NOTE: Diluting full strength AMPS may or may not produce desirable results.
Experimentation is recommended but desirable results are not guaranteed.
STORAGE: Seal solution in a tightly sealed container and store in dark cool
place. SHELF LIFE: A.M.P.S. Gel 24 Months Gel in Solution
2-C: APPLICATION METHODS of A.M.P.S.
Various patterns of distress and tarnish are possible using different methods of
application. Creating patterns in mirror is also possible using stencils or
Modellos. Freehand designs in mirror may also be created using A.M.P.S. Gel.
IMPORTANT: TEMP OF MIRROR & A.M.P.S. MUST BE KEPT AT A 70oF + FOR EFECTIVE
RESULTS. IF TEMPS ARE BELOW 70oF A.M.P.S. WILL BE INEFFECTIVE. The longer AMPS
remains on the reflective coating, the darker the antique effect will become.
Within 10 minutes after the application of A.M.P.S. onto the mirrors
reflective coating, the treated surface will begin to darken and tarnish
patterns will begin to appear on front or reflective side ( glass side ) of
mirror.
When desired level of tarnish and distress is achieved, wash A.M.P.S. off the
reflective coating with water and stop the reaction.
2-C-1: WIPING TECHNIQUE:
Wet exposed reflective coating with water. Pour enough A.M.P.S onto
reflective coating to cover the entire surface. Immediately distribute AMPS in
one direction with a soft cloth/paper towel/microfiber. Continue wiping
solution over reflective coating in same direction every 2 to 3 minutes. When
distress and tarnish have progressed to the desired level, arrest reaction by
washing solution off with water. Gently dry with rag or allow mirror to
air-dry and seal with paint.
2-C-2: SATURATION TECHNIQUE
Cover exposed reflective with a natural fiber cotton / muslin cloth and
saturate with water. Smooth out wrinkles with a paint roller. Pour full
strength A.M.P.S. onto cloth and distribute evenly with paint roller. Reflective
coating will begin to darken, this change of color can be observed through the
cloth. Observe transformation of tarnish and distress from front of mirror and
when desired effect is achieved, remove cloth and wash A.M.P.S. away with water,
stopping the reaction. Saturation Technique will tarnish the reflective coating
deeply and can remove areas of coating. This may be a desirable effect keeping
in mind that paint color will show through these areas.
2-C-3: POUR TECHNIQUE:
Dry exposed reflective coating on back of mirror with a soft cloth or paper
towel. Tilt the mirror slightly and pour A.M.P.S. solution full strength onto
surface of mirror. A.M.P.S. works faster if solution is hot (150oF). Do not wipe
pour patterns created with A.M.P.S. as solution dries. Observe the
transformation of pour patterns from front side of mirror. When distress has
progressed to the desired level, arrest chemical reaction by washing with water
or wipe tarnish patterns away with a damp rag exposing clear glass patterns
against remaining mirror surface. Allow surface to dry. Seal with paint.
2-C-4: SPRAY TECHNIQUE:
Dry reflective surface with soft cloth or allow to air dry. With a spray bottle,
spray A.M.P.S. onto back of mirror surface creating small dots or foxing
patterns. Allow to air dry while observing transformation of tarnish and
distress from front side of mirror. When the desired level of tarnish and
distress is achieved, arrest chemical reaction by washing solution off with
water or allow A.M.P.S. to remain on surface for 4/5 hours then wipe with damp
cloth or paper towel exposing clear glass dots against the mirror surface then
seal with paint.
2-D: MULTI-USE STENCIL
Stencils may be used to create patterns in mirror. A multi-use stencil is a
sheet of mylar or other material with an open pattern / design cut into it.
1. ) Dampen down side of multi-use stencil with a paper towel or.
2. ) Apply stencil to dry exposed reflective coating. The moisture on the down
side of the stencil will create an adhesive action holding it in place.
3. ) Spray 1 light mist coat of full-strength A.M.P.S. over the open patterned
areas of the stencil.
4. ) Allow A.M.P.S. to dry (about 10 minutes) and then carefully remove stencil
and observe transformation of tarnish pattern in mirror. After 4 or 5 hours the
tarnish in the areas treated with A.M.P.S. will degrade to a point where the
tarnish may be completely removed with a damp cloth or stippled with a dry brush
(creating texture in the degraded reflective coating).
2-E: SINGLE USE PEEL & STICK VINYL STENCIL
1.) A single use vinyl stencil may be used to create unique patterns in mirror.
These sticky stencils have an adhesive backing that allows them to stick to
the mirrorʼs reflective surface. Once the stencil has been applied it must be
burnished (pressed down) with a burnishing tool to insure that A.M.P.S. does not
seep under the vinyl protected areas.
To put it simply... the area covered by the vinyl will remain new mirror and the
exposed reflective coating area will be antiqued.
2.) Spray 1 light mist coat of full-strength A.M.P.S. over the design area.
3.) After 4 or 5 hours the tarnish in the areas treated with A.M.P.S. will
degrade to a point where the tarnish may be completely removed with a damp cloth
or stippled with a dry brush (creating texture in the degraded reflective
coating). This process will result in clear glass next to new / previously
tarnished mirror under the stencil.
4.) Allow mirror to air-dry.
5.) Carefully remove stencil if desired and seal with shellac, paint or metal /
gold leaf.
2-F: FREEHAND DESIGNS WITH A.M.P.S. GEL
A.M.P.S. Gel may be used to create controlled freehand design & patterns in
mirror. Shake or stir AMPS Gel well before each use. Using an artistʼs
paintbrush, apply a thin coating of AMPS Gel onto reflective coating in desired
patterns.
STEP 3. COLOR & SEAL ANTIQUED MIRROR
3-A: COLORED EFFECTS
After the reflective coating has been treated with A.M.P.S., it may have areas
where clear glass is exposed in the tarnish / distress patterns. The color of
the tarnish and distress will be shades of rust / sepia and charcoal / gray.
Note that the reflective coating is sheer, somewhat translucent and when
degraded with A.M.P.S. the tarnish and distressed areas created have more
translucencies.
Some areas of heavier distress may be rubbed away with a damp cloth exposing
clear glass against the lighter areas of distress in the mirror surface.
The chosen color applied to seal the mirror will show through the sheer or
clear areas and will affect the color tone of the tarnish.
Various colors of mica powder mixed with shellac making a glaze may be applied
as first coat.
Two more coats of gray / black oil base paint applied over this first coat of
shellac will seal the treated reflective coating well enough to block out mastic
if the mirror is going to be applied to a wall or piece of furniture. NOTE: SEE
PAINT RECOMMENDATIONS
3-B: GILDING
Clear Glass Patterns In Mirror: Apply oil or water based gold leaf size with a
foam brush or velour roller and allow to tack / become aggressively sticky (at
least 20 min). Leaf can then be applied in a solid (filled in) or distressed
(broken spaces) manner. Allow gilding to dry overnight before applying paint
layers. Mica powders can be used to flash gild the sized mirror surface for
very interesting effects. After allowing the size to tack, use small stencil
brushes to pick up the micas and stipple onto the sized areas. Always wear a
protective mask when working with mica powders to avoid breathing in small
airborne particles.
3-D: SEALING / PAINT RECOMMENDATIONS:
WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING COATINGS ONLY Rustoleum Oil Base Flat Enamel
(spray, roll or brush) Rustoleum Hammered Spray Paint Sherwin Williams
commercial grade flat oil base enamel. Kem Lustral F65 B50 Shellac by Zinsser
in Clear or Orange (spray, roll or brush).
MIRROR BASICS
Mirror can be found in 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch thickness. We recommend getting
mirror from your local glass / mirror store.
MIRRORS THAT WONT WORK
Mirrors from crafts stores and home improvement stores (LOWES, HOME DEPOT) do
not work with AMPS. Mirrors designed to be used in wet environments do not
work with AMPS.
MIRRORS THAT WILL WORK
Before committing to a large mirror project we HIGHLY recommend that you first
create a test sample using AMPS with your mirror of choice. Brand names to ask
for are Binswanger / ACI, Carolina and Virginia Mirror or Guardian mirror.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS:
Read & follow all manufactures recommendations for use of A.M.P.S. Mirror
Backing Paint Remover and Antique Mirror Patina Solution Gel / A.M.P.S. Gel is
an alkaline and has a DOT rating of 2, a mild corrosive. Heating A.M.P.S. Gel in
solution will accelerate patina process but will also produces odor and fumes.
Avoid mixing with other chemicals, acids or alcohols. A.M.P.S. is not a
carcinogen but may cause irritation to airway passages or skin. A.M.P.S.
contains sulfates and individuals with other respiratory conditions such as
asthma should avoid inhalation exposure to A.M.P.S.
IF EXPOSED TO SKIN Wash thoroughly with soap & water. IF SPLASHED IN EYES
Flush eyes with cold water for 15 minutes. IF SWALLOWED A.M.P.S. - Induce
vomiting and call physician immediately. Mirror Stripper - DO NOT INDUCE
VOMITING! Drink 2 glasses of water and call physician immediately.
AMPS Industries 1919 Oxmoor Rd # 420 Birmingham, AL 35209