From: Mark Holm 
To: atm{at}shore.net
Reply-To: Mark Holm 


>  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.

Mark Holm
mdholm{at}telerama.com

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