Re-silvering an Old Mirror

[@monamcnatt2860]

Short story. I inherited a dresser. I have a picture of my grandma standing on it. She appears 2-3 yrs old, born in 1913. The dresser was owned by her dad prior to marrying her mother. Dresser age 112 +. I attempted to resilver 20 years ago. Found one place locally. One old guy there did it, there was a waiting list. He retired with me still waiting. Found another shop, 300 miles one way. Iwould have to leave my mirror. I wasn't comfortable with that. NOW I DISCOVER I CAN PULL THIS OFF MYSELF! Thank you Thank Thank you. I have a few This will be so rewarding. I had given up hope. I was researching mirror film. LOL. I found your video instead! Even if not perfect, much better than what I have now. I want to look in the same mirror that my grandma did as a child. I'm pretty handy, but wish me luck!

[@AngelGildingcom]

Keep us posted!

[@sispann]

If you would ever re-do the video, it would be nice if you would take 2 seconds and CAREFULLY show each product that you use in each step. Definitely interesting !

[@AngelGildingcom]

Thanks for the feedback. You can see the products up close on our website. We use our Mini Silver Kit in this video. We also have illustrated instructions on our website as well. Thanks!

[@l0v3lin3ss]

I have a mirror with yellowing that won’t go away with any sort of cleaning. I’ve tried quite a few suggestions I’ve found. Will re-silvering it get rid of the yellow?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, if the yellowing is in the silver and not the glass then re-silvering should remove the yellow. When in doubt you can send us a photo via email and we can weigh in with our observations.

[@ms.mommie6985]

Wow how interesting is that, as I’ve always wondered about how mirrors are made.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Thanks! It is interesting to think about how this commonly used item is made.

[@140ex5]

I have a large mirror with only small areas along edges. Will I have to strip the entire mirror or can I just repair the mirror edges?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, thanks for your question. We have found that it does not always work to just mirror one area. It can be tricky to have the chemicals flow correctly and the process could affect the existing silver. We do recommend either re-silvering it or you could try using our Brushed Silver Glaze paint to make the areas less noticeable. it will not be as reflective but can help hide the issue.

[@dfwpike]

Very informative video. I have a mirror that only has a few very thin scratches on the back. I'd like to repair the scratches without resilvering the whole mirror. Is there such a thing as a resilvering pen that I could use to paint over the scratches?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, unfortunately we have not found such a thing.

[@heather747]

Great video. Very informative and your descriptios were extremely helpful.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@forrest9881]

This is so interesting, thank you for sharing 🌿

[@AngelGildingcom]

You are welcome, we are glad you liked it!

[@Taylor_Tries]

How do you discard the extra chemicals?

[@AngelGildingcom]

That's a great question. We have a video about that as well. We carry waste treatment kits and also have information about how to handle the chemicals without the kit. I encourage you to check out the Safety Supplies section on our website. Thanks!

[@blissedness]

Thank you for this! I have an antique vanity with an oval mirror and was wondering if I needed to have the glass replaced but I know I can do this! Question though: I actually love the degradation, it's just that it's in the way of where I look to do my makeup. Is it possible to make a clean spot and dapple the paint remover around the edges of the clean spot to blend into the degraded areas? As an artist I feel this is probably possible... Right? 😬

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, thanks for your question. Typically we do not recommend trying to spot re-silver a mirror as the line between the old and new silver can still be visible and depending on how degraded the original silver is you may degrade it more in the process. However, if you like the degradation and want to explore a bit with it you may be able to re-silver the center of the mirror and embrace the antiqued effect around the edges.

[@stanislavvasil9879]

Wow. Thanks, bit after watching this, I won't be doing this on a big bathroom mirror from a house we bought. New mirror it is...sadly.

[@AngelGildingcom]

All our best to you on the project!

[@ruatarengsicolneyrengsi8924]

Thanks for putting this up. Very informative.

[@AngelGildingcom]

You are welcome, we are glad you liked it!

[@RMphy89]

Amazing work. I think I’ll be ordering this kit soon!

[@AngelGildingcom]

Thanks! Let us know if you have any questions

[@DanOneOne]

I need to make a semi-transparent mirror for scientific project. I wonder if just pouring 1/2 of the solutions per same sq.ft. will make it half semi-transparent.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, that's a good question. Actually for a transparent mirror we recommend the standard amount of chemicals but allowing it to develop for less time. Usually you would give it 3-5 minutes so you could see how it looks after 2 minutes for example and see if that works for your needs.

[@adambach1731]

Around the 13:30 mark. So in the chance an area wasn't "clean enough" and the mirror did not take to that portion, what would you suggest as a means to correct this? I have a spot right in the middle of the glass and have used over half of the 3 solutions provided in the kit. Thank you

[@jameskirby9512]

Can you just do the bottom part of a mirror or do you have To Do the whole mirror?

[@kenvan40]

I've always wondered how resilverina a mirror was done. One question, I have a blue tinted morror, kand am wontering how is that different than the process you show? Thank you

[@AngelGildingcom]

Thanks for your commend and feedback! Most likely if you have a blue tinted mirror the glass itself is tinted, or there is a blue film on it. The silver itself would not be colored.

[@StephenChavez-uc3ub]

Something I don't understand do you need to protect the front of the glass to prevent the mirror effect on both sides

[@AngelGildingcom]

That is a great point. You can protect it with a vinyl mask if you would like. However, typically you silver the intended side and then after it is dry paint it with the Mirror Backing Paint. Once that is dry you can turn the piece over and use our Silver Remover to safely remove any silver that has deposited on the front. I hope that helps!

[@patriciamolnar6416]

Great tutorial, thank you. Regarding the backing paint - what is it exactly? I am currently refinishing a vanity with a gold backed mirror. Curious to know what I can do to protect the original reflective material before re-assembling the mirror into the refinished frame.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, thanks for your feedback. I would recommend that you email us with some photos so we can help you more specifically. thanks!

[@Horizon344]

Magical how the reflective surface suddenly materializes

[@AngelGildingcom]

I know, right! We have been doing this for many many years and are still amazed when we see the silver come forward "magically"!

[@nancystevenson562]

So, my old mirrors are small and made to sit on a surface. They have felt glued on the back. How do you get the felt off?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, that is hard to say without seeing them. You could try something like a rubbing alcohol to remove the glue. You are welcome to email us a photo of your pieces and perhaps we can help more.

[@Bianca_sis]

I would like to do this, but my mirror is 1.60m tall and I feel that i can't do it at home

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, for this size of mirror it would likely be better to do our spray process. We have videos about that process as well on our channel.

[@innovruptly1769]

distilled or deionized water?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Great question, you can use distilled, deioninzed or reverse osmosis water. We have a helpful and free test you can do for water purity in the knowledge base of our website. Thanks for asking!

[@kristenkelley7341]

Hi, your website seems to be down now.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, thanks for letting us know. It looks like it is working for us, can you give it another try?

[@elsa_north101]

Hello. Thank you for your video. Question: Can I resilver an antique mirror if it has a flower motif?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, that's a great question! If the flower motif is in the glass itself then that is no issue. If it looks like it may be painted on then this depends on a few factors. You can email us via our website with more information about your mirror and we can help you with your specific mirror. Thanks!

[@suebrown7882]

Thanks for a good demonstration. My brother has two small antique mirrors to re-silver - hope your kits are available in the UK!

[@AngelGildingcom]

We are able to modify our kits to ship them to the UK, please let your brother know to reach out with any questions. Thanks!

[@deborahharris2962]

Great video. I watched a man make mirror in his shed he didn't have a kit but it the chemicals and not the Krylon stuff which cannot get ATM. Are these kits available worldwide do you supply overseas or have stockists? Could you just buy a piece of glass and do this, and is there a thickness in the glass you need. I was looking at turning glass from picture frames into mirror too.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, those are great questions. We ship to many countries. You can see if your country is available on the checkout page. You can certainly use a piece of glass from a picture frame. There are not specific glass thicknesses required. Thanks for asking!

[@dennistitley3788]

I have an antique round bevelled mirror that is about 24 inches in diameter that needs to be re-silvered. The glass is in perfect condition even though it is quite old . the frame is art-nouveau style and has an elaborate guilt frame which needs attention and possibly re-guilding. This I am sure is not a valuable antique. It appears in my grandmother's house on the wall in the many pictures of my parent's wedding reception from 1946. So should the spray method be used? Do you have a video for the spray method? Do you have to wait for the mirror to dry after each of the rinsing processes?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, those are great questions! the best way to determine if you should use pouring or spray is to see if you can gently rock the glass in a tray for about 5 minutes. If you think that you can, you can use the pouring method. We do have a video of using spray on our channel. You do not need to wait for it to dry in between steps, only after the silver is applied and before you paint it. Thanks!

[@hesterrezelman3511]

Thanks for your prompt reply. Appreciate it very much thank you. I'm from South Africa and would like to get hold of your product. Please advise

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, Our brushed silver glaze is subject to dangerous goods regulations and fees. We are unable to ship this to South Africa. However, we have many other items we can ship to you. You can see them on our website. Thanks!

[@christinalmoyer2173]

I purchased a three mirror armoire with gorgeous beveling which requires re-silvering. Mirrors are 7' + tall. How do you recommend I "rinse" and apply those products? Can it be done in a garage? Thank you so much ! !

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, thanks for asking. For pieces that size it would likely be easier to do with the Spray Silvering process, than with the Pouring process we show in this video. You can see the Pump Spray silver kit on our website. It can be done in a garage but keep in mind that colder temperatures slow down chemical reactions.

[@martycobo9089]

Is your mini silver kit enough to repair a large (38Wx28H) mirror with extensive damage? Or do I need more product to cover my large mirror? Thank you for a very well done video demonstration.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, I apologize, it looks like we missed your comment. The Mini Silver Kit covers 8 square feet. Your mirror is approximately 6.5 square feet. It would have enough silver but you may want more to practice. You can buy the extra Silver Solution individually. Please email us with any questions you may have. Thanks!

[@kirank29]

Should you use mask 😷 while spraying and other chemical process? Or is it fine with those chemicals? 🤔

[@AngelGildingcom]

That is a great question. With the Pouring Silver process a mask is less critical because the chemicals are not airborne. However for spray silvering we defintely think you should. We sell the 3M half face respirator with specific filters for the chemicals found in mirroring. Thanks for asking!

[@kirank29]

​@@AngelGildingcom Thank you for the reply 😊

[@EnricoMarangonJunior]

Thank you for the tutorial !

[@tburke-vtwoodworker3643]

I have a six inch telescope mirror. It would need coating to the front surface as that is where the parabolic surface has been ground. Any experience and thoughts on how your product would work?

[@AngelGildingcom]

That is a great question. We have an information page in our FAQ section of our website that discusses mirroring for scientific instruments and all the information you need to know for silvering a parabolic telescope mirror. You can see it here: angelgilding.com/mirrors-for-scientific-instruments

[@mayangirl2012]

I bought a mirror I love..antique Venetian...but it has a burgundy stain in a corner .....wish so much I can fix it!...any help?

[@AngelGildingcom]

It is possible, although we do recommend re-silvering the full piece. We recommend you email us a photo of your piece and we can provide more detailed suggestions. Thanks!

[@mayangirl2012]

@@AngelGildingcom can I glue a mirror on top of a mirror?..it is an option..but not sure if I can glue another mirror on top Thanks for the answer.

[@AngelGildingcom]

@@mayangirl2012 You may be able to but you could deal with issues of the glass cracking due to pressure as the glass expands and contracts with temperature changes.

[@fernandobauzon7508]

Wher i kind find tbe material i use

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, thanks for asking. You can buy the products directly from our website. We have links to the right products in the description of our video. Thanks!

[@ivansenko208]

Great video but all links are dead 😞

[@AngelGildingcom]

Thank you so much for letting us know! We will look into it. I am happy you enjoyed the video!

[@Belinda-t7e]

Where can we buy the kit?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, thanks for asking. You can buy it through our website. The links to the specific products are in the description of this video. Thanks!

[@kamal94kashyap]

Mam, My one Question , Can I use this method for telescope reflective mirror ?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, that is a great question. For telescope mirrors, or any front surface mirror, we recommend our Spray Silver Chemicals. You can read more about that here: angelgilding.com/mirrors-for-scientific-instruments thanks!

[@kamal94kashyap]

@@AngelGildingcom Okay mam💯

[@bernadettepesce773]

Thank you for the video. I have a mirror that is affixed with strong silicone glue to a base. The edges are blackening. Is there a way to resilver only the edges?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, that is a common question. We have not found there to be a sure way to fix this type of issue. You may find a mirror-like paint that will help conceal the issue, however it is possible that the silicone itself is what is causing the mirror to degrade. You may be best off removing the glue, however this is not our area of expertise.

[@bernadettepesce773]

Angel Gilding, thank you for your reply. FYI - the edges of the mirror that are blackening are "freestanding" - not part of the mirror that is adhered to the base surface. I think it's the moisture in the bathroom that is causing the blackening but that's a guess on my part.

[@AngelGildingcom]

@@bernadettepesce773 Hello, you are welcome! I think you are right about the moisture being the culprit-it usually is. If this area is separate from the mirror already then you could try the mirror-like paints. It will not be as bright or reflective as an actual mirror but can be a quick fix way to have a consistent finish.

[@rheavargas6134]

Can I resilver a convex mirror? If so, can I order the Mini Silver Kit even if I'm outside US?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, it is quite possible that you can re-silver a convex mirror. I would suggest emailing us a picture of the piece through our contact us page and include your address. We can recommend the right products and let you know about shipping options. We can ship the Mini Silver Kit to many countries, but the Backing Paint is subject to dangerous goods regulations and fees. We can discuss options via email. Thanks!

[@eisdt]

I am surprised that after all that work and kit expense that you have not further recommended and/or provide a mirror sealant such as Glastion or equivalent mirror sealant to protect the back, and particularly the mirror edges from de-silvering due high moisture content environments and/or cleaning agents that might accumulate on edges or condense on the back of the mirror. Videos and such sealant product are readily accessible online.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, thanks for your input. We offer Gunther Mirror Mastic. We find that a mirror that is fully painted with our Mirror Backing Paint does not usually required a sealant unless it is cut down. However, when you want that extra protection the Gunther Mastic works well for us!

[@hesterrezelman3511]

My bathroom mirror is from the ceiling to the bathtub and the sides are wall to wall. Impossible to remove the mirror from the wall. Only the bottom of the mirror close to the tub has got the spots on. There is about 2 cm space between the mirror and wall. How do I get that spots fixed please!

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, Unfortunately we do not have a quick way to fix one spot perfectly. If you are able to remove the mirror from the wall you could try hiding the area with a mirror-like paint. We have one called Brushed Silver Glaze that you can see on our site. Other companies offer products also for this purpose such as Krylon's Looking Glass Spray. It won't be nearly as reflective but could be good for a small patch. Thanks for watching!

[@RobETurner-mv9bj]

Where did I get quick silver at

[@AngelGildingcom]

We sell all of our products through our website AngelGilding.com thanks!

[@afrocuredanceacademy6693]

My mirror has dissolver it's a dancing mirror but I don't know what do it looks very bad with dark spots how can u advice kindly

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, We recommend re-silvering the full mirror. You could follow the process of this video. If the mirror is very large you may want to use the spray silver process. We have step by step instructions on our website as well as all product information and videos. You can see it all at angelgilding.com/ Thanks!

[@robertrutherford8990]

How much does this kit cost?? 2:13

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, thanks for asking. Are you asking about our Mini silver Kit? You can see the price for this and all our products on our website angelgilding.com

[@laurakelly631]

where are those chemicals going as you wash them off in the sink? What effect do they have?

[@AngelGildingcom]

That's a great question. The only thing going down the drain of the sink is cleaner and water. The cleaner makes the surface of the glass optically clean in preparation for silvering and is completely safe to go down a standard drain. You should not pour the silvering chemicals down the drain without treating them first with a waste treatment process.

[@parallelflower]

I have a glass container withe a metal frame that has a mirrored bottom and it's fixed in place. Is there a way to work around this or would I need to remove the mirror to do the resilvering process?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, this sounds like a fun and unique project. Can you email us some photos of the piece so we can provide further recommendations? You can send photos via the contact us page on our website. Thanks!

[@arfaberkahtv1065]

Can apply in mirror telescop?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, that's a great question! For telescope or other front surface mirrors we recommend that you use spray silvering. It will provide the best optical quality for your type of application. On our FAQ/Knowledge Base you will see an information page about mirroring for scientific instruments.

[@Desert-hagg]

I have a huge 1940s vanity mirror that’s an unusual shape with specks of the mirror gone, I have to restore it because a replacement would be around $300. This vid was helpful, I just don’t know how I’m going to do the tray.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, what are the dimensions of your piece? There are many creative ways to make a tray.

[@christinalmoyer2173]

@@AngelGildingcom I would like to know how to make a tray - my mirrors are very tall....don't have exact measurements at this time the largest is about 7' tall, thank you in advance, CM

[@AngelGildingcom]

@@christinalmoyer2173 hi, I see you commented on another comment as well about these mirrors. I would recommend checking out the instructions on our website about constructing a large mirroring bench. We walk through an option step by step. Alternatively, give us a call and we would be happy to discuss your particular project further. Thanks!

[@holson03]

What kit would you recommend to resilver a mirror that is beveled with dimensions of 32x25 oval?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, thanks for asking! It looks like your piece is about 6 square feet. The Mini Silver Kit that we use in this video and is linked in the description box is the one we would suggest for you. You may want extra Pouring Silver solution so you have some to practice with. You can buy this individually and it is listed on the details tab of the product page for the Mini Silver Kit. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks!

[@holson03]

@@AngelGildingcom Thank you. I live in a very rural area. How is the wastewater disposed of?

[@AngelGildingcom]

@@holson03 that is a very important question. We have Waste Treatment Kits that enable you to treat the waste water to make it safe for standard disposal. We have full instructions and a video about this process as well. Thanks!

[@somebonehead]

I need to re-silver the mirror for my projector, do you have any tips for the process with convex mirrors?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi that's a great question. We do have some options for convex mirrors. Depending on how deep the piece is you may want to try our spray silver. If you would like to email us with the specifications of your piece we would be happy to suggest the right kit/products. Thanks!

[@somebonehead]

@@AngelGildingcom The projector in question is a Steelcase PJ930 projector. The mirror piece itself is maybe the size of a large hand. What exactly do you mean by how 'deep' the piece is?

[@AngelGildingcom]

@@somebonehead We are referring to how much the piece bends. In the pouring process shown in this video you can see that the silver needs to gently rock on the surface while it deposits for 3-5 minutes. If you think you would be able to do this (a great test is just pour some water on the side you want to silver and try to gently rock the piece until the full surface is fully wet) then you can use the pouring process. If not then you will want to use perhaps our Drip Silver Kit. We have a video of that process, you can see here: angelgilding.com/drip-silver-kit-video/

[@somebonehead]

@@AngelGildingcom I see, thank you.

[@victoriaorme1564]

.? I am applying the silver remover and the cotton is getting black but there is still so much silver that I'm running out of remover. Do I just need more remover or what? It's not coming off as easily as in your video.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, thanks for asking. It sounds like you may still have some backing paint on the surface. Would you be able to send us a photo of the surface? You can attach photos on the contact us page of our website. Thanks!

[@mccommas2]

t=827s take that bullshit off the web address to make it start at the begining! Great vid. I started refinishing a mirror and failed to look at the actual mirror closely. As you can guess, it has the flaws you mentioned. I am glad to hear there is an economical way to deal with that given most of my work done on the frame is done already.

[@liveonlifeonhealthcare3240]

How to remove mirror fixed on wood

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hi, unfortunately we do not have a lot of advice for this as that is more about the woodworking. We wish you the best of luck

[@charteblanche8480]

I used to get paid a lot of money to make mirrors look like your before mirror, lol.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Haha yes! We tell many of our customers that making antique mirrors is a great business model (and sometimes easier than making a perfect mirror)

[@katiebohn2940]

So I have a mirror that looks streaked and dirty on a mid century vanity I brought back to life. Should I leave it alone? Is that part of the charm?

[@lucaprado544]

My father's house is full of very old furniture, absolutely gorgeous antique solid wood furniture, and everything is very well preserved but the mirrors in most of them, full of stains like the "before" mirror, so much it affects its purpose as a mirror, wonder if there is a way to restore it to a point where it looks slightly old but the image is clear enough to normal daily use

[@potomaccrafter]

What about designs that are etched in the mirror?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello! If the design is etched into the glass itself then you can certainly re-silver it and the etching will stay. You can see an example of a re-silvered etched mirror on our website. Thanks for asking!

[@potomaccrafter]

@@AngelGildingcom So I don't need to protect the etching? It just will repel the silver and the black paint? Or how does that work??

[@AngelGildingcom]

@@potomaccrafter Hello! Usually the etched area is also silvered with the rest of the glass.

[@potomaccrafter]

@@AngelGildingcom Thank you for your quick reply! Ok, I will try that! It doesn't look silver from the front, so I was confused. Btw--your tutorials are fantastic. Very well-made!

[@potomaccrafter]

Hi Alex--I called and left a message--also emailed you--with this problem, but will try reaching you here, too! I tried to resilver my old bathroom cabinet mirror using your products. The result was kind of "spooky"--with blackish splotches on large parts--transparent but black, like diluted tarnish. I made sure it was absolutely squeaky clean, using your techniques- so can't imagine that was the problem--but maybe I did something wrong in the tin for silver or mirroring process? I'd like to try again for a better result, so I haven't painted the back yet. Have you seen a similar problem before, with the silver looking blackish (like tarnished silver) in large splotches? Could you please suggest what I might have done wrong? Thank you for your quick response!

[@heatherhaslam2015]

How to get these products

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, there are links in the description box of the video to all the products we used in this video. Thanks!

[@kgrace9360]

😯

[@robertrutherford8990]

Why don’t y’all take Visa debit card

[@AngelGildingcom]

hello, our card processor takes a wide range of cards. If you were having an issue with checkout please give us a call and we will be happy to sort it out for you. Thanks!

[@vittoriodiana2269]

Good job, but vintage mirror is fascinating.... 😞

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, we agree! There is certainly a place for admiring the vintage look. It is also nice to have a solution if the vintage look has turned into more of an eyesore than a beauty!

[@deannthomas6142]

Can you just resliver part of a mirror?

[@AngelGildingcom]

Hello, thanks for asking. We have found it is not usually possible to re-silver just one section of a mirror. We explain more about this on our FAQ page here: angelgilding.com/re-silvering-old-mirrors/ thanks for asking.

[@brianwest2775]

What's the environmental impact of this process? There's a lot of material going down the drain.

[@AngelGildingcom]

That's a great question. We do not recommend the spent chemicals go down a drain without being treated. You can see in the description of this video a link to our Waste Treatment Kits. We also have full illustrated instructions and a video going through how to treat the waste water properly. Thanks for asking!

[@sorafromgenshin]

I just finish silicone glue my wife make up table mirror then after 3 days this happen Damm it

[@foxglovebell2146]

I have the same cabinet shown in the thumbnail. I am struggling to remove the felt or cardboard backing, plus the mirror caulking or glue is like cement. How do I get the mirror out or at least reveal the painted back?

[@SahMai]

It's much cheaper buying a new glass!

[@AngelGildingcom]

It some situations it can be. However, we share in this video and our website situations in which you may want the specific piece of glass re-silvered.

[@ldh7395]

The title say resilvering a mirror yet you spend most of the video waffling on about mirrors and cleaning one.

[@AngelGildingcom]

Cleaning is a very important part of the re-silvering process. We find often times this step can cause issues down the line so we like to provide information to set folks up for success.