Aluminum foil DIY Light reflector?

[Underwurlde]

*shakes hands*

 

[jschlosser]

Mirror is awfully heavy and what to do when it breaks! I also think the humidity will degrade the silvering just as it does with mylar or acrylic mirrors. Besides, it is a total pain (literally and figuratively) to work with. Foil works fine, is cheap and so easy to replace that you don't even have to take off the old layer, just cover it over with new stuff when it does finally need some refurbishing.

 

[Rooster]

"mirror" does not HAVE to be silvered glass....

 

[jschlosser]

"mirror" does not HAVE to be silvered glass....

You figured that out from where I mentioned "acrylic mirrors," right ;-)

Anyway, anything lamiated with a raw, cut edge is going to come apart at some point. I tried mylar and I replaced it after 2 years, probably a year after I should have.

As far as getting the foil near connections - can't be too safe where water and electricity meet - coat the heck out of it with marine waterproofing. I have my return wiring running under it (mine is paper backed and sturdy) and all joins are heavily and properly taped and waterproofed.