Joe -

The brick red is a crystal like growing set of harry lines.
I figure a hard protective layer was put one to seal and it cracked
in the hot sun.

Martin

Martin H. Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
TSRA, Endowed; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member.
http://lufkinced.com/


Joseph Gwinn wrote:
In article ,
"Martin H. Eastburn" wrote:

We have been cleaning up after yet another Hurricane and my wife was
putting back outside a mirror (designer type in frame) outside. So the better
we might look around a corner...

The mirror had a mark in the metal area - and it was mentioned in passing.
I figured the typical blackened mirror from a scratch...

Wrong! - The break in the rear surface (protection layer) was small but in
several areas. A long complex fuzzy deep brick RED
(not black as in silver oxide) upon examination, I discovered it to be

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnabar

Mercury! How can that be. Is there not an import regulation ? or export
regulation ?

A hasmat item.

Mercury-silver amalgam was used for mirrors, but it's an expensive
process, and was replaced first by chemical silvering, and then by
vacuum aluminizing. And amalgam is even today used for dental fillings.
You probably have a few in your mouth. I wouldn't get too excited about
this.

If it's even true. It would take a lot of hydrogen sulfide fumes to
convert the mercury back to cinnabar. The brick red may be protective
paint, to keep a pure silver or aluminum film from corroding. I recall
repairing mirrors like that.

Joe Gwinn


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