Keeping Moretti/Effetre T-004 CLEAR

[Heather/Ericaceae]

Hello! I use a lot of moretti clear. And I have a major scum problem. I know I'm not the first person to have this problem, but I don't want to switch to Lauscha or Vetro just now. I know that some people have been successful in keeping Moretti clear really clear and I am hereby beseeching you for tips! This thread is for MORETTI CLEAR tips ONLY!

Some questions to get you started - I've read a theory that good fresh air flow helps prevent scumming: is this true? Is an oxidizing flame better or does this cause bubbles? What is the scientific cause of the scumming/hazing/microbubbling? What's the best way to clean a clear rod? How do you keep your finger oils from affecting the glass? What's the best distance to hold the rod in the flame? Best pressure settings? Tips for Natural Gas users (ME!). Better to work slow or fast? Do different batches matter? Etc??

If you are one of the artists who have mastered this fickle yet delightfully affordable, silver-friendly, soft and compatible glass, please share the secrets of your Moretti/Effetre T-004 success! Thanks - Heather

[Cosmo]

Check this out...

http://www.thegldg.com/forum/showthread.php?t=898

Drew Fritts tells in detail how he "peels" Effetre rods to rid them of scum. I've never tried it (I use Lauscha) but it seems like it would work.

[Heather/Ericaceae]

Thanks Chad! That gets me the closest I've gotten yet to understanding "peeling" glass. I hope this is just the tip of the iceberg for solutions. :) A great start! -Heather

[pierces*designs]

OK, I have been hesitant to post this because I thought I was surely crazy BUT....

I have been cleaning my Moretti clear with homemade divitrifying solution.

1 tsp borax powder (usually found in laundry aisle)
1 cup distilled water
1 drop dishwashing soap (Ivory) or TSP brand cleaner.

Put in a small jar or spray bottle and shake before each use.

I spray the devit spray onto a coffee filter, then rub down the rod and dry it with another coffee filter and I get no scumming.

[Heather/Ericaceae]

Debbie - WOW! I have to try that. Do youthink that the scumming is a form of devitrification? And do you find that it even works for you when there are scratches and "lines" along the outside of your rod? I'm excited! Thank you!!!! Has anyone else tried this or another technique? -Heather

[Ellen Black]

I think a big part of working with effetre clear is starting off with the cleanest rod possible. I have been washing the rods off with Dawn dish soap, and follow up with alcohol. Work with a slightly more oxygen, and a bit further out. Learning to peel the larger diameter rods is good technique to know also. Ellen

[Kevan]

This peeling thing seems like an awful lot of work. Why not just use another glass. Vetrofond scums far less. Lauscha is the best. I haven't tried the Kugler.

[Cosmo]

This peeling thing seems like an awful lot of work. Why not just use another glass. Vetrofond scums far less. Lauscha is the best. I haven't tried the Kugler.

Well, that's what I was going to suggest, but she said this in the initial post...

Hello! I use a lot of moretti clear. And I have a major scum problem. I know I'm not the first person to have this problem, but I don't want to switch to Lauscha or Vetro just now. I know that some people have been successful in keeping Moretti clear really clear and I am hereby beseeching you for tips! This thread is for MORETTI CLEAR tips ONLY!

[Kevan]

I still haven't seen this Vetrofond Superclear that Frantz was supposed to be getting in.

[wildwire]

Hi Heather....

I have used the new Kugler clear and I love how crisp the clear is! I also find its easier for me to encase with....

Shauna

[Dale M.]

Work Effetre 004 clear as cool as possible.... And I clean mine with WINDEX if I remember to clean it at all...

Dale

[Heather/Ericaceae]

Thanks for the tips - I bet lots of people will benefit from them, because we all have trouble with effetre clear! I'm interested in "peeling", or at least picking off visible scum from a big gather and then pulling it into a nice clean stringer. I had been cleaning with warm water and a hand towel but I'll try some watered down window cleaner and wiping with coffee filters. I'll keep my flame propane low and will try to work way back in the almost-invisible flame. I find the glass is more likely to scum when there are projections or ridges just after applying encasing, or anytime I use 2mm stringer.. when it's smooth and I'm doing the final shaping it's not so risky and I can move into a hotter flame. Thanks again for the tips! I know there are more Moretti clear aficionados out there - I've heard 'em mentioned in the "what's your favorite clear" threads - so if anyone else has some scum-bustin' secrets, please join in! :)

Cheers - Heather