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From CD-ROM to Mirrors

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
From CD-ROM to Mirrors
Posted by berny13 on Monday, May 19, 2003 10:29 AM
I found a great way to make mirrors. I was building an acft and the mirrors just didn't look right. I took some old CD-ROM's and sanded the back down to wafer thin. I then cut out a rough shape for the mirrors, sanded down the edges and used CA to mount them. The result is actual mirrors instead of plastic painted silver. So before you throw away your useless disks, save a couple to use for your next project to simulate the mirrors. It will work on cars, acft or any thing that will require a mirror like object.

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 19, 2003 11:13 AM
Berny - did you sand the data side or label side?
Another use for those AOL disks!Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Monday, May 19, 2003 11:20 AM
Sand down the label side. The data side is mirror like in appearance so try not to damage that area. For the frame I used a black magic marker and flat black paint on the back side. It takes some practice, as I chipped and cracked the first ones I tried to make.

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Racing capital of the world- Indy
Posted by kaleu on Monday, May 19, 2003 12:01 PM
Wooohoo!! Another use for the AOL disks besides as frisbees or drink coasters.
Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 19, 2003 1:16 PM
Nice tip, Berny. It sure does take some practice though... I'm working on it already...Shy [8)]
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by nzgunnie on Monday, May 19, 2003 5:10 PM
Great idea, will have to try that one!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Sunny Florida
Posted by renarts on Monday, May 19, 2003 5:44 PM
Thats a pretty cool idea.
Another option would be window tinters. There is a mirrored film they use for doing special effects or graphics. A scrap piece trimmed out of a graphic or other pieces would last a lifetime. They don't mind as they are throwing the scrap or cut out stuff away. Its film thin and shiny. (Got the idea from a friend that is a window tinter and flies RC planes.)

The CD media is shiny and even thinner if you can get through the substrate. I found that when I broke up a CD I could get some film that had peeled away from the substrate. A little coaxing and I peeled it off. Not big, but enough for mirror size.

Mike
Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 19, 2003 6:31 PM
yes and really cheap cds have really bad adhesive to connect the datafilm to the hard plastic, it chips off rellay easy, use a razor blade.
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Canada
Posted by dogsbody on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 4:34 AM
I've tried using the silver-backed mylar type film that chewing gum packets come wrapped in. I cut out a small piece of thin styrene, either circular or rectangular, then superglue a larger piece of the mylar to this. when the glue is set, I trim the mylar to size. Maybe not the greatest mirror, but it looks pretty good on 1/72 fighters and it's CHEAP!

"What young man could possibly be bored
with a uniform to wear,
a fast aeroplane to fly,
and something to shoot at?"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 8:42 AM
Thanx
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 8:59 AM
yep, great idea! Never thought of that one!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 11:20 PM
For smaller scale models like the 1/144 aircraft, try using the platters out of dead hard drives. They're already practically mirrors, and no sanding required! That is, of course, if you can keep fingerprints off of them.

demono69
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 11:57 PM
has anyone tried using a chrome coat with heavy clear coat over it?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 26, 2003 6:16 AM
Has anyone tried Mylar? A (practically) free source would be potato chip bags.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 26, 2003 10:59 PM
Just curious, Berny, how did you cut them out? I know CD's like to shatter. :-)

Ray
  • Member since
    December 2012
Posted by FreedomEagle1953 on Monday, May 26, 2003 11:58 PM
Scale mirrors from junk CD's ... now that is a really great tip! Approve [^]

Thanks Big Smile [:D]

Isn't this darn Forum great ???

FreedomEagle1953

Chicago, IL area

"keep on building 'em ... but don't glue your fingers together"

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 9:38 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by heylonghair

Just curious, Berny, how did you cut them out? I know CD's like to shatter. :-)

Ray



Use a new # 11 blade and a straight edge. Make light cuts on the data side. Be careful to just score the disk. Continue running the blade along the cut untill you get past the first layer of the disk. Then use more pressure untill you go all the way through. Again using the straight edge and the blade, make another strip using the same procedure as above. Make the strip a little bigger than the size you need. Then sand down from the label side. When you get to the desired thickness you want use a sanding stick to clean up the edge and corners. Stick the disk to some tape and score very lightly again to the size you need. Clean up that side with a sanding stick. I keep the masking tape on the back side during the final sanding and shaping. Carefully remove the masking tape and the mirror is ready to install. I am getting pretty good at it now and only damage or break one out of three, compared to three out of four when I first started making them.

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Zanesville, OH USA
Posted by coldwar68 on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 10:21 AM
I'm just curious about this...what if you use a Dremel tool at low speed with a cutting wheel? Do you think it will break up then? I would try this out myself, but I am at work right now.

Jerry

I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it. -Jack Handy

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 11:22 AM
coldwar68.

I just tried it after reading your post. It shattered the disk. I tried it several times and each time I ended up with the same results. Go with the #11 blade.

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Zanesville, OH USA
Posted by coldwar68 on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 12:08 PM
Ok, just a thought. I was going to try it while home for lunch but I couldn't find my stack of disks that were bad. Thanks for the info.

Jerry

I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it. -Jack Handy

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 4:09 PM
Thanks, Berny. I'm going to try that out on my next model.

Ray
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