Abstract:
A mirror of an aged appearance is produced by antiquing an unaged mirror. The antiquing is accomplished by first removing a primer layer which overlies the silvered back of the mirror to expose a rear silvered surface. The rear silvered surface is then distressed by applying a patina which removes portions of the surface, preferably more in peripheral areas then in the interior area of the silvered back. A cardboard back panel which has been painted with a mixture of black paint, brown paint, and aluminum particles is then mounted against the distressed silver surface.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/072,496, filed on May 5, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,050. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mirrors and to antiquing processes for producing mirrors. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a relatively new mirror and to a process for altering the appearance of the new mirror so that the mirror appears aged. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When purchasing most items, most customers prefer that the items are new when purchased, and that the items do not contain the defects which appear as the items age. This of course is not the case with antique furniture and furnishings, which preferably have some readily discernable indication of age. Accordingly, new furniture frequently is distressed so as to appear aged. 
     Since actual antiques can be extremely expensive and selected antique items are often unavailable, there has arisen a market for new furniture and furnishings, including chandeliers and mirrors, which have the appearance of a substantial age yet do not have the structural infirmities induced by age. When manufactured and finished with skill, these “new” antiques are highly prized by the knowledgeable public and are relatively expensive. 
     Mirrors present a special challenge. While technology is available for producing mirror frames which have the appearance of antiques, but do not have the structural problems frequently associated with antiques, the technology for producing appropriate glass for these mirrors has not to date been developed. Accordingly, both antique mirrors and mirrors having antiqued frames frequently have new glass, which of course, does not enhance the real or illusionary authenticity of the mirrors. With antique mirrors, it is not necessary or desirable to reflect a clear image of an observer, other mirrors being available for that purpose. Since mirror technology is almost universally directed to improving reflected images and to extending the life of the mirror, there is a need for methods of antiquing mirrors so that the mirrors will not be at odds with their frames. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide mirrors which do not initially have aged appearances with the characteristics of aged appearance so that the mirrors have at least the appearance of antiques. 
     In view of this feature and other features, the present invention is directed to a process for making a mirror appear older than it actually is, the process comprising the initial steps of removing primer paint from the back of the mirror to expose a layer of silver which is deposited directly on to the back of the mirror. If the new mirror does not have a primer layer, these initial steps are of course not necessary in practicing the invention. The silver layer is then distressed by removing portions thereof and covered with a dark layer. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the dark layer is provided by a cardboard back panel installed adjacent to the silver layer, the cardboard back panel being coated in such a way to provide a general aged appearance when viewed through the glass and silver layer of the mirror. 
     In a more specific aspect of the invention, the silver layer is distressed mainly over peripheral areas of the mirror, including the corners of the mirror, with substantially less distressing over the interior area of the mirror. 
     In a still more specific aspect of the invention, the back panel has the surface facing the mirror coated with an uneven of black and brown paint and a reflective metal powder. 
     In still a further aspect of the invention, the silver layer is distressed by applying a patina irregularly to the silver surface of the mirror to remove portions of the silver layer and rinsing the silver surface to remove the patina and removed portions of the silver layer. 
     The invention is also directed to mirrors produced by the above describe steps. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of an unaged mirror which is to be antiqued in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view of an actual antique mirror; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the mirror of FIG. 1, enlarged with respect to FIGS. 1,  2 ,  6  and  9 , prior to undergoing the processing steps of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a primer coat being removed from a silver layer in an initial step of the process according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 after the primer has been removed from the mirror; 
     FIG. 6 is a planar view of the back of the mirror with the primer removed and after the silver layer has been distressed by removing portions of the silver layer; 
     FIG. 7 is a planar view of a cardboard back panel treated in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the mirror with the cardboard back installed thereover; and 
     FIG. 9 is a planar view of a new mirror, antiqued in accordance with the principles of the present invention and mounted in either an antique frame or antiqued new frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional, purchased mirror assembly  10  comprised of a relatively new reflective mirror  12  and its frame  14 . The mirror  12  is essentially flawless, so that the impression given by the mirror assembly  10  regardless of the frame&#39;s age is that the mirror assembly is of recent vintage, rather than antique. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an authentic antique mirror assembly  10 ′ comprising an aged antique frame  14 ′ and an aged mirror  12 ′. The antique assembly  10 ′ of FIG. 2 is likely to have structural infirmities, such as loose frame joints and a delaminated back. In order to achieve the effect of the mirror assembly  10 ′ of FIG. 2, in a new mirror, such as the mirror  10 ″ of FIG. 9, the steps of FIGS. 3-8 are practiced. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, it is seen that the mirror  12  (of FIG. 1) is comprised of a transparent glass pane glass  20 , a thin layer of silver  22  deposited on the rear surface  24  of the glass pane  20 , and a layer of primer  26  deposited on the rear surface  28  of the silver layer  22 . The mirror  12  may be, for example, a standard purchased mirror of an appropriate size for the new frame  14  of FIG. 1 or the antique frame  14 ′ of FIG.  2 . In essence, the mirror  12  is a lamination which must be altered in order to achieve the appearance of the mirror  12 ′ of FIG.  2 . Standard mirrors  12  are widely available and relatively inexpensive, whereas an antique mirror  12 ′ is expensive. Moreover, if an original antique mirror  12 ′ has been broken, it is frequently difficult or impossible to find an antique mirror which will fit a particular antique frame  14 ′. 
     Since almost all standard purchased mirrors have a silver layer  22  covered by a primer coating  26 , it is necessary to expose the rear surface  28  of the silver layer in order to process the silver layer. As is seen in FIG. 4, the mirror  12  is placed on a work table with its front face  30  down and with the primer layer  26  facing up. Generally, the primer layer is gray paint and may be removed partially by sanding. Preferably, sanding is done with 220 grit sandpaper and discontinued before penetrating the primer layer  26  to completely expose the back surface  28  of the silver layer. Thus, after sanding, there is a thin layer  26  of primer remaining. The dust from the sanding step is then cleaned off and a paint stripper, for example a chlorinated hydrocarbon type stripper such as Parks Pro Stripper available from the Parks Corporation of Fall River, Mass., is applied generously with a brush. The stripper is allowed to soak completely into the thin remaining primer layer  26 ′ by leaving the Stripper on for approximately 2 to 4 hours. After 2 to 4 hours, Parks Pro Stripper 1513 is again applied and allowed to soak overnight or for a period of 8 to 12 hours. 
     As is seen in FIG. 4, a hard rubber or plastic paint scrapper  29  is then used to scrape as much as possible of the primer layer  26 ′ from the back surface  28  of the silver layer  22 . In order to remove any of the primer layer  26 ′ remaining after scraping more stripper, such as Parks Pro Stripper 1513, is applied and allowed to sit for 2 hours. After 2 hours, a plastic bristle brush is applied to the back of the mirror  12  in order to remove the stripper soaked, primer layer  26 ″ remaining and to expose the rear surface  28  of the silver layer  22 . All stripper and dirt is removed from the rear surface  28  of the silver layer  22  with window cleaner or another ammonia containing substance. By carefully performing the steps as described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, the primer layer  26  may be removed without damaging the silver layer  22 . It is important that the integrity of the silver layer  22  is at least partially maintained so that what might be considered unattractive blotches do not occur in the finished mirror which might detract from the more pleasing and subtle tones of aging provided by the following distressing process. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, while the mirror  12  is lying on the front glass face  30  with the surface  28  of the silver layer  26  facing upwardly, a patina, for example, Muriatic acid (HCL 35% in water solution) such as straight GRIFFITH Silver-Black® patina available from Vulcan Materials Company, Birmingham, Ala., is applied with a brush, such as a 1½″ brush, to the peripheral areas  34  and corners  35  of the surface  28 . In order that the resulting distress of the silver layer  22  by removing portions thereof appears natural and not planned or painted, the patina is applied using erratic motions and erratic brush strokes. In that the patina works rapidly, the surface  28  is rinsed thoroughly with fresh water during application of the patina. In the furniture making art, Griffith silver  13  back is referred to as a “patina” but in this process it acts as an etchant to remove portions of the silver layer  22 . Since authentic antique mirrors which have been aged tend to have most of the distressing on the peripheral areas  34  and corners  35  and not much distressing in the interior area  36  of the mirror  12 , the resulting pattern resembles that of a gracefully aged mirror  12  (see FIG.  2 ). Once the desired antiquing appearance of the mirror  12 ″ is attained, the entire surface  28  is rinsed again to remove all of the patina which has been brushed on. The excess water is then removed. 
     Diluted patina, for example, the aforementioned GRIFFITH SILVER-BLACKS® patina, mixed as two parts patina to one part water, is then sprayed from a plastic spray bottle over the entire rear surface  28  of the mirror  12 . More misting is applied to the peripheral areas  32  than in the interior area  36 . The misting is not applied evenly since mirrors do not age evenly. When it is observed that the patina is starting to work, the rear surface  28  of the silver layer  22  is rinsed thoroughly. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a cardboard back panel  50  having a thickness of about ¼″ is then cut to the same size and configuration as the mirror  12 . While cardboard exemplifies a preferred material, the back panel  50  may be made of any appropriate sheet material which provides a separate layer. The front surface  52  of the cardboard back is painted with an uneven mixture of black and slightly greenish brown paint and a silvery white particulate. Exemplary of such a mixture is an uneven mixture of black and brown acrylic paint, such as that available from Binney &amp; Smith Inc. of Easton, Pa., under the trademark LIQUITEX® and identified as 276 Mars Black, 331 Raw Umber. Aluminum powder is added into the paint mixture. Exemplary of suitable aluminum powder is a 97% Aluminum Flake mixture available from U.S. Aluminum, Inc. Flemington, N.J. After the paint has dried, it is sealed with a single spray coat of a catalyzed lacquer thinner. Exemplary of such a lacquer thinner is Lacquer Thinner #154-C315 available from the Sherwin-Williams Company, Cleveland, Ohio. The cardboard back panel  50  is then installed in engagement with the rear surface  28  of the silver layer  22  and held thereagainst in a conventional manner so that the painted and powder coated layer is visible through the areas  37 . 
     Muriatic acid in the form of HCL in a 35% water solution is a preferable etchant because it is inherent that it will remove a silver layer from a glass mirror and because it allows for an indefiniteness and blurring. However, other washes which dissolve silver may be used. For example, equivalents of Muriatic acid which dissolves silver may also be used. For example, nitric acid, hot sulfuric acid and alkali cyanide solutions may be used. 
     Another equivalent approach is to mechanically remove the silver layer by abrading it away with sanding or grinding. Such mechanical removal may also be accomplished by sand blasting. 
     The resulting mirror is the mirror  12 ″ of FIG. 9 which has the appearance of an antique mirror, such as the antique mirror  12 ′ of FIG. 2, but does not have the age. The antiqued mirror  12 ″ is then mounted in a new frame  14  which has been worked to resemble an aged frame, or even in an actual antique frame  14 ′, such as the frame of FIG.  2 . In either case, the mirror  12 ″ provides a mirror assembly  10 ′ or  10 ″ with an antique appearance. 
     While the disclosure is directed to modifying a standard purchased mirror  12  having a gray primer coat  26 , it is within the scope of this invention to start with a mirror  12  configured as in FIG. 5 with a silver layer  22  having a back surface  28  which has never had a primer layer  26  applied thereto. In this case, the surface  28  is processed by distressing as previously described and illustrated in FIG.  6  and the back panel  50  is applied according to the discussion of FIGS. 7 and 8 to produce the mirror assembly  10 ″ of FIG. 9 having the antiqued mirror  12 ″. 
     The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples. 
     From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.