From: "Richard F.L.R. Snashall" 
To:  atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: "Richard F.L.R. Snashall" 




Mark Holm wrote:
>
>>  So I popped a grungy
>> old 8" mirror in the dish washer and tried it; no hot water and no hot
>> dry.
>>
>
> I am curious, did you use dishwasher detergent?
>
> The dishwasher detergents I am used too seem to be fairly alkaline, a
> pretty sure fire way to get rid of aluminum.  I never wash my aluminum
> cookware in the dishwasher for that reason, at least not the more
> expensive ones.  I have a rather expensive "hard anodized"
aluminum pan
> whose instructions said it would stand up to most anything, but not to
> wash it in the dishwasher.  I also have a cheap, and thick, aluminum ice
> cream scoop that has been through the dishwasher many times.  It's
> surface is always dull and slightly pitted looking.  It was shinier when
> new.
>
> Also, I have several glass items that have etched from the dishwasher.
> Even a Pyrex measuring cup shows a little etching after many trips
> through the dishwasher.
>
> Moral, a hot alkaline solution, even one as mildly alkaline as
> dishwasher detergent (based on sodium carbonate usually) is tough both
> on aluminum and glass.  I don't use alkaline solutions on my optics.
>

Funny.  Have you ever tried to wrap a cherry pie with aluminum foil, and
come back in 24 hrs?  Would it have the same effect on the mirror
aluminization?  (I know, this is the second time I've asked this, but the
other message won't show up until this one does;-)

        Rick S.

> Mark Holm
> mdholm{at}telerama.com
>
>
>
>
>
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