Mirror Recoating

[astronut]

I need some help....:)
My 12" mirror needs recoating....I know Chi Qin's excellent reputation for carrying out this job. To strip and recoat= $385.
I've noticed that Astro Optical offer the same service for $295, that's a saving of $90, which is a lot of $$$$
Has anyone had their mirror recoated by Astro and are you happy with the result.
Please...I don't want this thread to end up being libelous toward either company. If need be please PM your advice.:)
Thanks, John.

[robz]

Hi John.
This is strange as I spoke to A.O. a couple of months ago, and the guy there told me that they had ceased that in house service for some time now.
He said it wasn't worth the cost of ''firing it up'' anymore:question::screwy:
Maybe they've changed their minds.........I don't know..........but that is what was said to me.

Regards,
Rob.

[astronut]

Hi Rob,
Thanks for the info. I just mentioned Astro, because it's on their website.:)

[robz]

Try them though, the information may have just been a brush off ???

[Satchmo]

John

Astro Optics don't overcoat so your coating will take on a tarnish after 6 months. CQin coatings with Quartz overcoat may last up to 20 years. I have had many many coatings done by CQin commercially and not a single recoat needed in 12 years. Issacs coatings are worth every cent IMHO :) Issac gets frequent enquiries from owners of Chinese mirrors with failing coatings.

[astronut]

Thanks Mark,
I knew they're had to be a reason for the price descrepancy.
I will certainly take the mirror to Isaac in the new year.:)
I wouldn't bother now, with all this lovely weather around!!:lol::lol::lol:

[kinetic]

2x recoats from AO over the years....as Mark says, no overcoating and
tarnished quickly, but still a workable mirror for years of planetary imaging/ viewing.

1x recoat from CQIN....with quartz overcoat.....still looks beautiful
several years later.

Steve

[astroron]

Does CQIN have a web site? there is no add in the latest AS&T:question:
Anyone have an idea if he does 16" mirrors and about how much it cost:question:
Cheers

[astronut]

Hi Ron,
Yes they do 16" mirrors and it's $545. That's to strip the old coatings and recoat the mirror.:)

[astroron]

Thanks John:thanx:
any contact information you can give me :question::thumbsup:
Cheers

[torana68]

he had a 21" to do when i was there a while back, this is an older email might still be the go; cqoptical at yahoo.com.au (cqoptical@yahoo.com.au)
roger

[Satchmo]

Contact Isaac at CQin Pty Ltd on 9789 1047

Be prepared that he is Chinese and speaks with a bit of an accent ( well he's been here 20 years.) He used to coat mirrors up to 1.4 meters in China and has a science degree in thin film coating from a major Chinese University. There is nothing much he doesn't know about coating.

Re Australian Sky and Telescope ads - I think he advertises every second issue.

[richardda1st]

I'm very happy with the coating Isaac applied to my 10".:thumbsup:

But be very carefull, he loves to chat. :lol:

[astroron]

Thanks for the information Mark:thanx::thumbsup:
Cheers

[astroron]

As some people will agree he is a man after my own heart;):lol::lol::lol:

[JethroB76]

So what would that be John, about 4 years out of your LB mirror? Or is a bit longer?

[astronut]

Hi Jeff,
I bought my LB in March 06, brand new. One of the first LB's sold in OZ. Whilst the views have always been excellent, I've noticed a deterioration in the coatings for about 12 - 15 months.
I've washed it twice and used the Photonic spray & peel solution for no change in the marks on the mirror.
A member of MAS has had a 16" LB for three years and the coatings on her mirror have also failed, but again until then the views had been brilliant.
So it appears that we both have well figured mirrors, but poorly coated.
As Mark (Satchmo) has advised, I will take a trip to Chi Qin at the end of January and bring the mirror back up to speed.:)

[astronut]

Well, my 12" mirror + a 16" and 10" (from MAS members) made it to Isaac at Chi Qin today.
Firstly I'd like to say what a pleasure it was to meet & speak with Isaac.
A highly educated and very sharp mind.
He's forgotten more about "Fine film application" than most people know!!!
We have to wait approx 2 weeks......but it will be worth the wait.
The mirrors will be better than new.
As Isaac mentioned, ALL Chinese mirrors do not have any decent overcoat.
He applies a coating of Quartz over the aluminium, this should allow AT LEAST 10 years without recoating.
So if you see marks that do not disappear with washing, it means that the coatings are failing.
I will post, on the return of the mirrors.

Cheers, John.:):)

[mbaddah]

Looking forward to hearing your report John :)

[mark3d]

Hello,

I am just wondering about transporting the mirror for re-coating. Does the weight and fragility present a problem for us southerners who can't deliver it in person? :)

Thanks
Mark

[Satchmo]

If you put the mirror in a box with some paper scrunched inside a larger box you shouldn't have any problem . Its the edges of the glass that need to be protected with some foam or cardboard strips- the mirrors themselves are not fragile in the normal sense.

[astronut]

After a couple of months of observing with my recoated mirror....I have to say what a pleasure it is again....My scope has new found contrast that was never there before.
"What a difference a proper coating makes".
The other great aspect is that I know that the coating (properly cared for) will last a lot longer than the original (approx 18 months)
Isaac says at least 10 years, with 15 not out of the realm of possibility.
Am I happy with this job.......YOU BET!!:):)

[mark3d]

John, glad to hear it was worth it!

Mark, thanks for that - of course, it's a pretty solid chunk of glass isn't it. I'll ensure the edges are protected.

[Satchmo]

John - I have many commercial mirrors out there with coatings by Issac - the oldest are 12 years old and still going strong. Theres only been one case of coating failure and that was a case of mirror 'abuse'. ;) In that time I have seen many multi layer enhanced coatings fail.

[alistairsam]

Hi,

attached is a pic of my 8" F4 mirror held against a light source. these are pinholes I'm guessing in the coating, is it necessary to get this mirror re-coated? would it make a difference if this was used for photography?

[astronut]

Once it starts, it doesn't take long for more and more of the mirror to become affected...The coating has begun to fail.
If finances are tight at the moment, I would start saving for the inevitable.:)