Color problems

[krisb16]

I'm new to lampworking, so please forgive me if I am in the wrong place or asking very basic questions. :)

I'm making beads on a limited budget. I am using MAPP gas with a Fireworks torch (Hot Head torch is on order). I can't afford a kiln yet, so I'm using a fiber blanket to cool my smallish beads. I ordered Moretti/Effetre glass on ebay (I live in a small town and am 3 hours from a supplier).

My problem is with the colors. The glass rods are beautiful, but when the beads are done, most come out a grayish-color. This is true for whites, for for blues (transparent and opaque), but not for the yellows and the red.

Can any of you experts give me some advice? Is it the MAPP gas? The torch? Am I heating them too long in the flame? The fact that I don't have a kiln? How do I make the colors true to their original glass?

Thanks so much for any help!

[kramdas]

[QUOTE=krisb16;1176990]My problem is with the colors. The glass rods are beautiful, but when the beads are done, most come out a grayish-color. This is true for whites, for for blues (transparent and opaque), but not for the yellows and the red.

Can any of you experts give me some advice? Is it the MAPP gas? The torch? Am I heating them too long in the flame? The fact that I don't have a kiln? How do I make the colors true to their original glass?[QUOTE]

Well I wouldn't call myself an expert, but...I'm on a HotHead, never used a Fireworks torch. I believe the Fireworks has a dial which allows you to somewhat "control" the amount of oxygen mixing with your gas? If so, make sure that's open, or you'll be running a stronger reduction flame, which will add to your troubles.

Usually beads look "sooty" if they've been heated too closely to the torch head. Try to melt your glass about 2" out from the head of the torch (on a HH, should be about the same for Fireworks). That's a pretty safe zone. Also, try turning your torch down a bit (the flame- it doesn't need to be huge and bushy, just a nice clean flame without alot of yellow flaring flames).

Some colors are also more sensitive than others to the heat, and need to be worked gently. (Moretti's opaline line is especially sensitive to "burning", as is rubino) You said you're using MAPP gas, so I wouldn't blame it on that. (Some people use propane, and that can burn dirtier than other fuels.)

My money's on your position in the flame...try working further away from the torch and see what happens! Hope that helps! And welcome, LE is a friendly place full of people who are glad to help-I know, I'm still full of questions myself and I've been making beads for 5 years now! ;)

[krisb16]

Dear Kramdas,

Thank you SO MUCH! You're awesome! That was exactly the problem! I had the glass at the top of the flame, and I needed to move it farther away and the beads are their true color!

THANKS!!! What a great forum I've found!
Kris:!:

[kramdas]

Glad it worked out for you!...happy beading!!!

[Janet's Glass]

I used a hotheat for a couple years. When it is cool, take a pipe cleaner and clean the holes were there the flame come from. Its gets pretty sooty in there too.