Thread: Magic mirror help require. If you have one, please chime in.

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Ok I have an idea for my carnival of chaos. I'd like to build my own magic mirror effect. The idea I have in mine is this. A giant carnival fun mirror.
I'm thinking a 6' plywood box (2'x2') The front edges cut convex. (so the mirror makes you look really short and fat) The lights inside will reveal a full skeleton or trapped clown. Something to that effect. Anyhoo, with the size of the mirror, i'm thinking price will be an issue.
The spirt mirror? Is it glass or plastic? Can you purchase 2 way plexi/acrylic mirror? Would plexi and mylar be just as effective? (and cheaper?)lol
So many questions, so little time. lol I'd love to hear your thoughts on the spirt mirror and/or cost effective ways to reproduce the effect.

Light bulb..... If I put a door on the back, the prop inside could be exchanged for a real person at the drop of a hat.

I've never seen or heard of a plexi mirror. I know there is a company that sells a roll of material for an inexpensive fun house mirror. I think to get the effect you want & a convext "mirror', I would use the mirror film. It may not be super clear as a mirror would be, but should work, the plexi glass will cost & will only flex / bend so far before without breaking ( use thin piece )....would put the mirror film on after you get the bend you want.
The idea you have with putting a skell or clown / person inside sounds cool though !!

& I'm sure the spirit mirrors anyone sells is a plastic, I have one from a few years back & is plastic with a reflective coating.

Most of the really cheap mirrors, the ones at kmart for instance, are plastic. I bought a few a couple of years ago. I don't know if they are big enough for your purposes, but the are made to go on the back of a door and show a full length view. You might be able to modify one. I believe target & walmart also sells them. Hope this helps.

Darklord, When you speak of the "film" are you refering to mylar? Those cheap silver survival blankets are mylar, but you can get it much much thicker. If I recall, that how spirit did there magic mirror. If mounted correctly, the thick stuff reflects very well but will still allow a bright light to pass through it. I was thinking about putting a layer of this on the back of a plexi sheet. (to shelter it from the wind and help keep it taunt.)

I just got off the phone with my local plastics dealer. He said they do sell one and 2 way acrylic mirror that would bend easily. (I'd have to order it) However its been his 25 years of experience that it doesn't work near as well as 2 way glass mirror. I'm just wondering if the mylar would be a close comparison or if I'm better off ordering the acrylic with the big price tag.

I'm speaking of the tint type film that comes in mirror finish for car / home windows..... the stuff that the company sells as fun house "mirror" film I have no idea what they're made of....probably mylar
Somehow I think the plastic, mylar or film tint's will probably be all acceptable.......but not as clear as glass mirror. I know that a lot have used the mirror tint film on plexi for a change box illusion that worked ok ( less costly & safer / lighter than glass )....... just not sure which of the 3 would give you the best out come & cost efficient.....

Automotive tint. Now theres an idea! Thanks brotha! Totally missed it the first time round.lol

They also carry at Lowes / Home Depot ( cheaper there than auto stores....) reflective window film that is a shrink wrap for large window pains, you use a hair dryer to shrink it ( for window / glass insulation ). Good price & another option for film tint on plexi.......