Glass Message Board
Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: MarkHill on December 05, 2007, 08:59:56 PM
-
Hi All,
Now it's that time of year when using a decanter becomes that little bit more special, I just thought I'd mention an experience I had this weekend, in case it is of use. Perhaps everyone knows this already...but anyway.
I recently acquired a nice example of Dartington's FT44 decanter, designed by Frank Thrower. Hardly rare, I know, but I rather like them and they make good decanters that dinner party guests needn't get nervous about handling. After cleaning out some of the lime deposits using a diluted solution of acid, I noticed that there were some small (spirit) crystals that just wouldn't shift. I tried everything from soaking overnight and longer, to using dry rice and then some grit (I was worried about this last one, but was assured it would be okay) to shift them. No luck. I then remembered my father telling me about the legendary cleaning powers of Coca Cola on 2 penny piece, so with three hours to go before the guests were due to arrive, I invested in a 2 litre bottle (as I don't drink it usually) and filled it up. Sure enough, when I emptied it out to clean it before opening the first of many bottles, all the crystals were gone and the decanter was truly clean!
Pretty cool, huh?
Mark
-
It's the phosphoric acid in the cola that does it. I use catering quality phosphoric (available in crystaline form) to dissolve rust when I'm restoring metalwork. It's amazing stuff - and you can safely tip it down the drain when you're all done. :)
-
Thanks Nic, I didn't know that. Just imagine what that does to one's stomach!
Mark
-
Of all the zillions of things hubby and I have used to try to shift stuff from inside vases and decanters we hadn't thought of trying coca-cola - cheers for that Mark I'm going to fill a few things up tonight and see how I get on!
-
Hello Mark,
Having recently acquired another bargain find at a car boot for 50p ..... Would you be kind enough to confirm that it is indeed an FT188 Directors Decanter as per Dartington book page 74. I think my one has a more pronounced air bubble similar to an elongated teardrop.
I was looking at this particular post because whilst it WAS in very clean condition, I wanted it sparkling, and have made it worse as the residue of the denture tablets has marked the inside. After rinsing with clear water, I dried it with a hairdyer, but there is still some dullness inside. My last resort is going to be your coke method SO -
1. How long do I leave the coke in the bottle?
2. After rinsing out what is the best method to dry?
After recently acquiring the Dartington Glass book and dvd, I now feel I cannot part with the decanter, and have a newfound respect for such an inspirational and creative man.
Regards Sharron
-
You can clean grease off a driveway with coca cola. Never thought to fill glass or people I liked with the stuff.
-
2. After rinsing out what is the best method to dry?
Find a secure way of leaving the decanter turned upside-down so that all the water can run out. Failing this, roll up some kitchen paper into a long tube, secure it with a little tape in the middle, and pop it in - it will draw up the moisture as it evaporates so that you don't get condensation within the decanter. Rolled newspaper works for larger vases.
-
For some reason, i always think there must be an easy way to clean a decanter, ive got a couple on the go
at the moment, i made the mistake of putting Domestos Bleach (chlorine) in them , i believe this just stains
the marks whiter still, so recently, every time im in a Homebase or hardware store, i check the shelves,
ive tried stuff with Formic acid, (kilrock descaler) citric acid, Hydrochloric acid (alloy wheel cleaner) Limelite,
Cillit Bang, Mr muscle. Last year i mixed a few together and nearly knocked myself out :sleep:
Im sure i am going to hit on something that works one day. ( I invented Gold the other day! :D )
Ive just bought some coke, and will see if it makes any difference.
I agree with Nic, best way to dry is rolled up kitchen towels, it dries them overnight. :thup:
And then the white marks appear again >:(
One day i hope to find the answer!
Cheers
Andy
-
What you're talking about sounds like water damage rather than simple limescale:
http://www.great-glass.co.uk/glass%20notes/clean2.htm#STAIN
I wouldn't try mixing acids yourself, though!
-
Nic,
the damage in the ones im working on i dont think is etched on, im sure it wasnt bad before i
bleached it! Its sort of blotchy, all over, right to the top where the bleach went.
I must remember not to use bleach, but i have an awful memory and will probably make same mistake
next time! ::)
Cheers
Andy
( i know the only really good acid for cleaning glass is hydrofloric acid which is deadly ! theres a great video somewhere of Stourbridge Crystal makers, happily dipping glass in a bath of the stuff without any protection!!
cant remember where ive seen it! )
-
i know the only really good acid for cleaning glass is hydrofloric acid which is deadly !
Do Not Even Think Of It!
-
I dry vases and decanters by pouring a little 91% rubbing alcohol into them, then swishing it around before pouring it off. Then I invert for a while and finally set the glass upright, uncovered, to let the rest of the alcohol evaporate out. I've had good results -- no water spots or lines. We used alcohol to dry water from tissues in the lab, so it was just instinct. I can't see how alcohol could damage the glass, but would like to hear if someone knows different.
-
Wikipedia gives a good description of Hydrofluoric acid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrofloric_acid
Very dangerous stuff :o
Now, wheres my Chemistry set? I need a teflon pan with a drop of prozac! :o :o :o
-
Found it!
How they used Hydrofloric acid in 1951 :o
http://glassfootage.blogspot.com/2008/03/cut-glass-1951-birmingham.html
Thanks to Patrick :thup:
Other great films on the site,
http://glassfootage.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=27
Andy
-
For cleaning stubborn marks off glass Barkeepers' Friend is handy.
To dry long necked decanters or bottles I use a spare basket from the dishwasher and upend it into one of the basket sections. If positioned safely where it won't tip over it works a treat. You can also buy decanter drainers (http://www.wineware.co.uk/glass/decanter-drainers-1.htm) - now there's a neat idea! :clap:
-
I have a very nice decanter. I'm unsure of its age. I'm a novice when it comes to glass.
I have nasty, cloudy white stains inside and have tried, to no avail, to get rid of them. So far, I've used:
- detergent and warm water;
- a shop bought kettle descaling powder, (which is meant to fizz, though mine didn't, as I couldn't use such hot water, as required), though perhaps this wasn't a good move;
- neat white vinegar and lastly,
- Coca Cola.
Incidentally, I washed the decanter thoroughly in between each attempt of the above. The Coke is still merrily fizzing away. It's been in the decanter for around 45 minutes. I'm not sure how long I should leave it there for.
If that doesn't work, (fingers crossed it does), I was going to try the 'rice, warm water and detergent' formula.
I spotted your forum, and thought I would get some very informed advice first.
As I said, I'm not sure if the decanter is old, (there's certainly no seam in the glass, so it looks hand blown and the design, perhaps manually cut), I don't want to make things even worse.
Would hugely appreciate your help.
Many thanks
Jeanette
-
hello Jeanette - welcome to the GMB. This is a subject that has run and run for years now, popping up occasionally still when people think they have some new formulae that for them works miracles.
If you have tried a good proprietary limescale remover - if not then certainly do so - and the suggestion of Coca-Cola - without any improvement, then it's more than likely that the internal surface of your decanter has been damaged.
Alcohol left in a decanter for a considerable time can often eat into a micron or two of the glass surface, and cause permanent damage - or at least damage that is usually beyond being cured by an amateur - it's simply not possibly to get adequate polishing pressure on the internal surface of glass to regain the shine.
It seems that the only solution for this problem is flushing with acid, BY A PROFESSIONAL GLASS RESTORER, as discussed in the Great Glass link, as shown above.
Whether you go down that route really does depend on how you value your piece of glass - is it possible that you can post a picture of your decanter for us to see? :)
-
Thanks for getting back to me. I never realised glass cleaning could be so complicated ???
Oh dear, I've tried uploading a photo, bad sadly, despite only being slightly larger than a thumbnail, (the picture, that is), your server tells me it's too large. Can't understand what could be happening.
BFN
Jeanette
-
hi - probably true to say that many 'cloudy' decanters are bought in the belief that this staining can be removed without too much trouble, but as most of us here discover, that's often not the case, and unless your bottle has some real value, then it's unlikely to be worth paying for professional treatment.
If you can acquire some silicone grease, try smearing the thinnest of coatings on the inside surface and this will hide the appearance of the staining - of course you will then never be able to use the decanter, but at least it won't look tacky ;)
Decanters are made by means of mould blown and free blown (in the sense of free blown, and not blown into a mould), and this glass sickness is found in both types, it's extent dependent on the type of alcohol content, probably, and for how long the contents have been present.
Whether lead glass has an improved resistance over non-lead glass, to surface decay, maybe someone else can tell us.
The Mods. here are very helpful, and if you send you larger pix to Anne, it's possible the lady will be able to adjust the size and post on your behalf. :) Hope you are able to try that suggestion. :)
-
Hi Jeanette, as Paul says, the Moderators (Anne at least) are very friendly - and I try to be kind on days when the weather is good.
Send your pics(s) direct to me at "kevh DOT glass AT btinternet DOT com" (change DOT and AT and DOT to the usual characters and close up spaces) and I will sort them out for you.
-
Paul, I also wonder which glass is more prone to this than other. Which vintage? Which composition? Just posing questions - I don't know. I have glass that is quite modern that has it and vintage that has it. I see no correlation, certainly not in my collection.
-
Hi Julie - regret I've no skills in the area of chemistry, so unable to comment in a useful way............ suspect that whether or not there is staining is dependent of a variety of things, and it's not just one factor that's responsible. I've had late Georgian bottles that were as clean as a whistle, and some made well into the C20 that had a cloudiness that defies removal, but it sounds like a good subject for someone to delve into.
quote........ "which vintage?" - I like your pun - do you think a famous vintage might give a better sort of staining? ;D