Mirror Recoating

astronut (John) · #1 01-12-2010, 03:02 PM

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 (Robert) · #2 01-12-2010, 03:36 PM

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

Maybe they've changed their minds.........I don't know..........but that is what was said to me.

Regards,
Rob.

astronut (John) · #3 01-12-2010, 03:43 PM

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

robz (Robert) · #4 01-12-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astronut

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

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

Satchmo · #5 01-12-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 (John) · #6 01-12-2010, 05:00 PM

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!!

kinetic (Steve) · #7 01-12-2010, 05:02 PM

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 (Ron) · #8 01-12-2010, 06:17 PM

Does CQIN have a web site? there is no add in the latest AS&T

Anyone have an idea if he does 16" mirrors and about how much it cost

Cheers

astronut (John) · #9 01-12-2010, 06:37 PM

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

astroron (Ron) · #10 01-12-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astronut

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

Thanks John

any contact information you can give me

Cheers

torana68 (Roger) · #11 01-12-2010, 07:00 PM

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
roger

Satchmo · #12 01-12-2010, 07:58 PM

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 (Richard) · #13 01-12-2010, 08:07 PM

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

But be very carefull, he loves to chat.

astroron (Ron) · #14 01-12-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks for the information Mark

Cheers

astroron (Ron) · #15 01-12-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardda1st

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

But be very carefull, he loves to chat.

As some people will agree he is a man after my own heart

JethroB76 (Jeff) · #16 02-12-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

astronut (John) · #17 02-12-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JethroB76

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

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 (John) · #18 11-02-2011, 02:59 PM

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 (Mo) · #19 11-02-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Looking forward to hearing your report John

mark3d · #20 26-05-2011, 12:01 PM

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