Concentrated Silvering Products - Complete Kit 36m² New Duo+ Lithium Formula

Silvering, sometimes called hydrochroming, is a chemical process of metallization by "sprayed" deposition of a thin layer of silver on a shiny surface, known in the field of chemistry as "silver mirror." We present the summarized process below on this page and in detail in the PROCEDURE document.

2 Complete Kit Offers

♦DUO-K0 36m² – Concentrated Products Only

♦DUO-KC 36m² – Concentrated Products with Base/Clearcoat

New Improved Formula DUO+ Lithium

The new DUO+ offer is an optimized silvering (hydrochroming) formula. It is the result of research and development work that has spanned several years in collaboration with several European teams of specialized applicators.

The new DUO+ Lithium products bring a large number of improvements and innovations for a better experience and productivity of the applicator :

► More economical: A yield of 36m² / kit, and even more in hot temperatures

► DUO+ products available individually

► Higher opacity and coverage power

► Bright and clear chrome appearance, subtly adjusted

► Reduction of defects (elimination of runs and streaks in the recesses)

► Adjusted reaction speed allowing chroming of both small and very large parts, without defects or milkiness traces

► Simple and quick mixing

► Long shelf life of ready-to-use products (7 days)

Summary

• 2 L Concentrated Wetting Agent >>>> 20 L Ready-to-Use

• 1 kg Concentrated Activator >>>> 20 L Ready-to-Use

• 1.75 kg A1 + 1.8 kg A2 Concentrated >>>> 36 L Ready-to-Use

• 3.1 kg Concentrated B >>>> 36 L Ready-to-Use

► Total of 112 L of ready-to-use product

The 2 Offers

2 kits are offered :

• concentrated products

• concentrated products + 10L of fast-drying clearcoat

Details can be found in the PDF (attached document at the top).

Each product is available individually

Estimated Average Yield  

1 m² of silvering obtained with 1L of ready-to-use A + 1L of ready-to-use B

which equals 36m² for the DUO+ Lithium kit.

Conversion and yield can be increased with the use of warm water (25-35°C) and application in warm air and substrate temperatures.

Working on Large Parts

It is always tricky with existing formulas to find a good compromise and adjust the mixture to achieve good efficiency when silvering small or large parts. It is common to get spots and white streaks on large parts with too rapid reactions.

♣ Our DUO+ formula works ideally on both small and large parts, in cold or hot temperatures, without creating defects such as spots or white streaks.

Contents of the silvering kits :

► Base ST8900x

is a ceramic clearcoat that brings several essential advantages for silvering :

High gloss, superb wet effect, easy application, possibility of applying in a single coat. Very high hardness. Ultra-fast drying at room temperature of ≥ 20°C. It makes "chroming" possible after only 4 hours.

The ST8900x clearcoat is used as a glossy base for silvering, but also as a finishing clearcoat (With the addition of 1% optical brightener included in the kit)

♦ Complete 10L kit (50m² for 2 coats)

♦ 5 Liters of ST8900x ceramic clearcoat + 5 Liters of H440 hardener

No thinner is required.

Download the Procedure PDF document for mixing and application mode.

The Wetting Agent

2 liters of concentrate are included in the complete kit

(so 20 L of minimum ready-to-use mixture)

The wetting agent is used for the first step, just before the application of the activator.

The wetting agent eliminates the surface electrical tension and allows all liquids to spread completely on the shiny surface, eliminating the drop effect or dry opening effect.

♦ The mixture is made with distilled water at 10% (100g / Liter)

Apply the product generously on the surface, then rinse without insisting. Proceed directly with the application of the activator when the surface is properly wetted and rinsed.

Download the Procedure PDF document for mixing and application mode.

The Activator

1 kg provided in the complete kit.

(so 20 L of minimum ready-to-use mixture)

This liquid product is used in the second step, just after "wetting." It is the most important step for the success of the silvering reaction. The wetting agent, on a microscopic scale, catches silver atoms on the surface. Without the activator, it is not possible to obtain a "chromed" surface.

♦ The mixture is made at 5% in distilled water (50g / L)

The activator must be applied vigorously, generously, and especially in the recessed areas or on the edges/angles. It must then be rinsed with distilled water thoroughly. A poorly rinsed surface can cause brown stains when in contact with silver.

Download the Procedure PDF document for mixing and application mode.

Silver Solution

It is a solution of water and concentrated silver (precious metal) that appears as a colorless liquid. Silver (A) is separated into 2 products to ensure a long shelf life of the products in concentrated form.

The following concentrated products are included in the kit :

A1 1.75 kg

A2 1.8 kg

(so 36 L of ready-to-use mixture)

♦ For example, to make approximately 1 liter of ready-to-use product A, mix 900 g of distilled water, 47.4 g of A1, and 44.2 g of A2.

Shelf life of ready-to-use products : 7 days at 20°C

The Reducer

The reducer constitutes product B, which upon contact with silver initiates the reduction of the silver solution. In the complete kit, the following concentrated product is included:

Concentrate B: 3.1 kg

(so 36L of minimum ready-to-use mixture)

♦ For example, to make approximately 1 liter of ready-to-use product B, mix 900 g of distilled water and 85.4 g of B.

Additives

Included in the complete kit with clearcoat:

♦ Optical brightener 100 ml (Mix at 10g per liter of clearcoat*)

♦ Anti-UV additive 100 ml (Mix at 1.5g per liter of clearcoat*)

*The hardener is not included in the mixture.

Storage

We recommend storing all silvering products, especially the wetting agent and activator, in a dedicated refrigerator (non-food!) to extend the shelf life of concentrated products for up to one year.

Silvering process – for professional use only

It is imperative to carefully read and strictly adhere to each of the instructions and safety information regarding handling, mixing, application, and storage.