Topic: Is it worth investing to get this decanter professionally restored?

[GlassIsGood]

I bought this decanter in the hope that I might find something to shift the 'fogging' it was only £4 and at the very least I've been able to try all sorts of solutions.  I now think its that sort of water fogging which bonds to the top surface of the glass and can't be shifted without being physically polished out - which won't be easy given its shape.  I understand that you can get companies who will have a bash at polishing these things on rollers, but do you think its worth investment as I've no idea what the polishing process could cost?

The base is just plain cuts into the base radiating out from the centre

[johnphilip]

You have answered the question, you paid 4 pounds for it decanters are 10 a penny these days unless something special , it will probably cost about 12 to 15 pounds to have polished you will still have a decanter that probably wouldnt fetch a lot , if you have the stopper buy a bottle of your favourite spirit for about 12 pounds and use it you will not see the clouding at all while it is in use then you have saved money and are having a good time .SKOL . JP  You can buy modern stoppers that will fit most decanters for peanuts .

[GlassIsGood]

Hi John

I guess that's not a bad idea  :thup:

I do have a stopper as it came with one that, if not its own, is a good fit it is a faceted sphere with even hexagons all over it.  I must admit I can't see the point in buying a decanter that isn't functional, and I think stopper-less doesn't equal functional.  I quite like decanters as glass objects, some of them have lovely pleasing shapes and they are functional too.  It's funny I tend to think of a ships decanter as being a 'classic' decanter shape, but when I started to look round there were many, many different shapes.  Mind you I'm not keen on the modern plain glass ones they look like little more than old fashioned mens pee bottles LOL

Julia

[Max]

Tip:  Don't wash a decanter then bung the stopper back in it while it's still wet.  It's a good way to get permanent water damage like this one has.   

[GlassIsGood]

I have come up with quite a good solution to making sure my decanters are dry following washing - my stove has a glass plate which starts cold and very, very gently gets warmer and warmer.  It's obviously for plates, but I find it very gently and thoroughly warms the decanters with time for the heat to diffuse uniformally through them and it dries them out a treat.

[Anne]

The narrow necked varieties will sometimes fit upside down into the cutlery basket from a dishwasher and drain and dry thoroughly. It takes a couple of days to be sure but is a safe way to do it with no heat that could (even when gentle) cause something to crack.

[Ohio]

If you are using the decanter as a collectible (not filling it with a beverage) simply place 3/4" of 91% Isolpropyl alcohol in the bottom, swirl it around well & empty it. The alcohol displaces any water & evaporates within 2-3 minutes leaving it spotless. Ken

[chopin-liszt]

The best and safest way to dry a decanter properly is to give it a final rinse with distilled water, then to put a "wick" of kitchen paper in it for a couple of days.

I believe lead can leach out of crystal into drinks which are put in it, it's not a good idea to use decanters to store anything you intend to consume.
( :angel: Not that I ever consume that vile and addictive drug, alcohol myself. Not for nearly 20 years. :sm:)

[claretjugcollector]

There is way to bring out the fogginess and dirt  etc etc !
the austrian glass maker " Riedel Glass " offers tiny balls ( 2mm in diameter ) and made od steel - there are a few hundreds in a tiny box - just put these with some water into the decanter - and it will be clear within seconds - you should shake the decanter - i ve made probably thousand times - it always worked perfectly !
thomas

[vidrioguapo]

And a similar product in the UK at a more competitive price

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/magic-balls/F/product/8949

Although I have no personal experience of using the product.