UV from mirror

[Clarity Glass]

Soooo....if that customer is worth $60 to you and over 10 years they are worth $600 to you, taking a minute to walk to your car and lug the heavy five pound battery to use your UV light for a proper cure is too inconvenient? Personally, I choose the UV light every time for 5 minutes...but the great thing about being independent business owners is we run it the way we want.

[Nomad]

I do this thing all the time. I took some inspection mirrors and brazed a nut on the bottom of the bracket. Going to use them first as a mirror on the inside like usual, but started to use one to reflect light into the repair to cure more quickly and effectively, especially when the sun was a bit low and curing time was beginning to get long.
With the knuckle of the mirror able to bend in any direction it was easy to stand the mirror up on the WS and turn it to aim the light right at the repair. Then I found that curing under pressure, which I do a lot, was helped along by aiming the light from the opposite side that the sun was coming from so that the cure was even on both sides of the injector. I leave it up to cure the pit and it cures hard in, I expect, around half the time. I don't use this all the time but it does come in handy once in a while.
I don't think distance would affect it, but aiming a smaller mirror at a spot a ways away can be difficult sometimes. The knuckle that allows the mirror to swivel in any direction is what makes this work well without a lot of fuss as long as you aren't too far away. Also, use a suction cup that isn't too floppy. I had to switch at first because the cup I was using just couldn't hold the mirror stead enough. I had thought of using more than one cup but haven't tried it yet.

[SGT]

FYI, for all you UV ray deflectors. When the sun is behind a cloud or it is overcast, there is UV light present. Actually, I think but do not quote me on it, the UV light is amplified when it passes through the clouds.

Jeff,

With DK being the front runner in technolgy, what have your studies shown on this cutting edge technique.

Sorry, I had to.

[Delta Kits]

I'm staying out of this

[sgailey]

This is an interesting topic. With a little research on google, this turned up on the National Weather Service's site:

Originally Posted by The National Weather Service

The amount of UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface can vary greatly depending on the following factors: time of year or season, time of day, weather conditions, surfaces, altitude, and latitude.

Season, Time of Day, and Weather Conditions

The amount of UV radiation that reaches the earths surface is higher during the summer months, when the sun's rays are more direct. The middle of the day, when the sun is highest, has the highest UV exposure. This period can vary from 10 am to 2 pm (or 11 am - 3 pm for Daylight Savings Time). Different types of cloud cover may block or enhance UV rays. While thick, dark clouds can block UV radiation, puffy or thin-layered clouds do not. Hazy days may see just as high UV values reaching the surface as on clear days. Some clouds may even increase the radiation by reflecting and refracting the sun's rays or the skyshine back to the ground.

Elevation or Altitude

At higher altitudes, more UV can get reach the earth's surface, because the atmosphere tends to be cleaner and thinner than at lower elevations.

Reflective Properties of Surfaces

Bright surfaces can reflect the sun's rays and increase the UV exposure. Snow, sand, water, and concrete will reflect most UV radiation. Thus, your skin will receive a much higher dose of UV radiation when near one of these materials. Contrary to expectations, a snow skiier can be sunburned during the middle of winter while skiing on a mountain slope due to this factor.

Regions of the World, or Latitude

People living close to the equator, at low latitudes, experience extremely high levels of UV radiation. Locations such as Australia, South America, and Africa all lie within this region. This plays a factor for us here in Arizona, due to our far southern location with regard to much of the rest of the United States.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/science/uv.php?wfo=fgz

I've always thought until now that repairs were safe from UV if done in the shade. But in reality, on an overcast day/cloudy there are UV beams being reflected to shaded areas as well, granted, the dose wouldn't be as concentrated as a direct beam. I've never had a problem with repairs in the shade persay, but it would be prudent to use the BD100 on all outside repairs.

Also, I thought this graph was pretty fascinating:



If this map correct, on a sunny day a Floridian tech would be able to achieve a faster cure with natural sunlight than one from say, southeast SD.

[wilz]

Hey, thats not fair, you don't have anything for Fiji

[Evo]

Hi Shepard, the 12V curing lamp I use plugs into a clamp attachment for a 12V motorcycle battery that measures about 6"x4" and fits neatly in my toolbox and isn't heavy at all. I've been using the same battery for a couple of years and only needs recharging every 6 months or so. Though I didn't get a warranty on the battery when purchasing because it wasn't being charged all the time as it would in a motorcycle I didn't need it anyway - it still works like a charm!

[Shepard]

Great posts folks! I was starting to think I was silly ... thanks for the research sgaily ... I think that a mirror makes more sense than carrying around snow, sand or concrete... maye I am OK...

I like your 12V solution EVO ... wow, my mobile power source needs charging much more often.... I like yours!

Come on Jeff, how about it, a mirror that magnifies UV by 100 times, making a cure in about 3 seconds... that can also beam us up?

For now though, I am off to request re-location packets in Hawaii, Florida and Fiji!

[Glasseye]

Interesting
working on this principle could you also use a magnifying glass to 1) heat the glass for moisture removal and 2) rapid cure the resin on completion ????

[wilz]

For now though, I am off to request re-location packets in Hawaii, Florida and Fiji!

by Shepard


Anytime, you're most welcome. Maybe, we could trade places for a while