Do mirror coats affect drivewear?

**k12311997** · 02-22-2010, 08:53 AM

Will putting a mirror coating on drivewear affect it's photocromatic performance either in the car or out?

**rinselberg** · 02-22-2010, 09:57 AM

I think that putting a mirror coat on a Drivewear lens would defeat the purpose of it. A Drivewear lens darkens when exposed to visible light. The mirror coat would reflect away some of the visible light, so that the Drivewear lens would not darken as effectively.

Hey, I'm just sayin' because of what I've read on line.

Hopefully someone like CEO will post here and say it more authoritatively.

**rinselberg** · 02-22-2010, 10:09 AM

Can I mirror coat Drivewear lenses?

Mirror coatings are not recommended since mirrors reflect the visible light and will not allow visible light photochromic activation.

http://www.drivewearlens.com/technical.php?subpage=1

That's from the Drivewear FAQ.

**rinselberg** · 02-22-2010, 10:13 AM

No performance benefits can come from adding mirror coatings to Drivewear lenses, and therefore its makers recommend againist it. Anti-reflective (AR) coating, however, can enhance Drivewear lenses' functionality. Back surface AR coating reduces annoying reflections from behind the wearer. While back surface AR coating provides the biggest benefit, many laboratories prefer to coat both front and back. There is no problem doing this with Drivewear.

http://www.katzandklein.com/katzandk...sp?pageid=2529

**k12311997** · 02-22-2010, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by rinselberg

http://www.drivewearlens.com/technical.php?subpage=1

That's from the Drivewear FAQ.

thanks

**CEO** · 02-22-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by k12311997

Will putting a mirror coating on drivewear affect it's photocromatic performance either in the car or out?

Alot depends on the intensity of the mirror coating. These can range all the way from just a very light flash coating to a deeply reflective coating. Generally it's true..the more visible light reflected off the lens, the less visible light will be available to change the lens behind the windshield of the car. Outside, performance isnt affected much..most of the change is happening through UV light.

Hope that helps...but best advise for Drivewear is still to leave over mirror coatings.