Perfect Clear Glass

Rose · #1 2011-11-21, 5:26am

I'm posting this in case people haven't seen it. Patti Frantz tells how to take the worst scummy clear and make it close to perfect. It works! I tried it with all the crappy clear I had sitting here and I can now use all of it. Scroll down to the post about The Perfect Clear. Once I cleaned and dried the glass I rolled it in tissue paper to keep it clean. 9 years of clear I can use

http://frantznewsletter.com/blog

A Dragonfly's Journey · #2 2011-11-21, 7:56am

I am so happy you posted this...have to give it a try

Yvon · #3 2011-11-21, 11:13am

Right now that link is not working. Going to the Frantz Web site to access the site also does not get you there. Might have to try it later, but thanks for posting.
http://www.frantzartglass.com/

Yvonne

Dragonharper · #4 2011-11-21, 11:16am

I think the article in it's entirety is on LE. Search for Pickle Clear Glass.

Cinnamon · #5 2011-11-21, 12:47pm

Last December, Jinx posted a thread about pickling glass. He posted Pat's URL but that is not working at this moment. It looks like there's some problem with Mike's FrantzGlass.com site at this moment.

Anyway, you can read interesting comments posted by others in Jinx's thread. Here's the URL to the thread:
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...le+clear+glass

I think I'll be cleaning all my glass from now before labeling them. The dishwasher idea with cascade is a good start for me!

Neomi

Lyssa · #6 2011-11-21, 3:44pm

That's so weird, it was working this morning at about 7:30.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvon

Right now that link is not working. Going to the Frantz Web site to access the site also does not get you there. Might have to try it later, but thanks for posting.
http://www.frantzartglass.com/

Yvonne

Mitzy B · #7 2011-11-21, 4:37pm

My AVG virus scanner blocked Rose's link saying there was a virus.

I called Frantz and they are aware they have been hacked and are working on it. All the pages I have clicked on cept the first page have a redirect on them to page that gives you are virus. So hopefully you all have a good virus program running.

Rose · #8 2011-11-21, 7:46pm

Here is what I did and it worked great. Pat suggests getting a hot plate and using a glass dish big enough to fit the rods in. A dedicated dish, never to be used for food.
I didn't want to buy a hot plate as I have a crock pot already dedicated to my pickle. I made a new batch of pickle and filled the crock pot with hot water and mixed a semi-weak solution of pickle. Heated the pickle solution (not 140 degrees) and put some rods in. They only went in about 1/2 way. Let them sit for 15 min. and then flipped them for another 15 min. Then I rinsed them in hot water and dryed them in a towel and wrapped them in tissue paper.

This was clear glass that was SO grungy I couldn't make anything with it. All brands from over the years. It came out very very clean. I had already tried the vinegar, windex, you name it...... oh I soaked some in rubbing alcohol for 2 years.

Pickle is used by metal smiths and is easy to find. Frantz sells it but I bet you can find it locally. Very much worth trying.

From now on I know I can buy Moretti clear (cheap).

pierces*designs · #9 2011-11-22, 5:46am

PH Down for pools and spas works too. Easy to find at a spa store or Home Depot in the pool section.

artsyuno · #10 2011-11-22, 3:14pm

I pour pickle into a big pyrex pan that I hang over my sink, boil water and pour it in, mix, add glass rods, turn the rods a few times for full coverage while they soak for several minutes. It seems to work pretty well.

LarryC · #11 2011-11-22, 3:33pm

Is boro that much different? I have been cleaning all of my boro rod with denatured alcohol on a cotton cloth and it works great. if I dont clean it I get scum on the surface.

pierces*designs · #12 2011-11-23, 11:29am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryC

Is boro that much different? I have been cleaning all of my boro rod with denatured alcohol on a cotton cloth and it works great. if I dont clean it I get scum on the surface.

Boro is totally different. You do not get scum in boro like in soft glass.

LarryC · #13 2011-11-23, 12:17pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierces*designs

Boro is totally different. You do not get scum in boro like in soft glass.

OK. If I dont clean the rods I get scum.

pierces*designs · #14 2011-11-23, 12:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryC

OK. If I dont clean the rods I get scum.

In soft class, the issue seems to be how hard it is to clean the scum. In boro, wiping it under the armpit or a rub with a towel and alcohol is enough.

In soft, you have to resort to all these crazy techniques. LOL

Ravenesque · #15 2011-11-24, 12:44am

Debbie do you just soak it in PH down or do you have to warm it like the pickle?

pierces*designs · #16 2011-11-24, 5:49am

I heat it to about 120.

glassymom · #17 2011-11-24, 7:51am

Any idea if I could do this in a plastic tote? I dont' have a dish big enough and don't want to do it in my crockpot. I have totes large enough tho
sue

LarryC · #18 2011-11-24, 8:51am

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierces*designs

In soft class, the issue seems to be how hard it is to clean the scum. In boro, wiping it under the armpit or a rub with a towel and alcohol is enough.

In soft, you have to resort to all these crazy techniques. LOL

Interesting. Just wondering why?

Flonche · #19 2011-11-24, 12:23pm

That's great if it works for the scratches on the outer surface of the rods, but that won't cure the problem of those thin long bubbles inside the rods. I have several pounds of clear and transparent colors that are worthless because of those.