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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: ckscot on March 11, 2009, 01:09:04 PM

Title: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: ckscot on March 11, 2009, 01:09:04 PM

This is a clear green glass vase, new to me from the auction, that I was washing in my usual way - warm water with a little Ecover washing liquid.  I noticed that it seemed to be going slightly cloudy on the outside (the inside wasn't in water), so I thought to leave it in the water a bit longer.  After half an hour this is how it turned out.  The clear green part was always out of the water.  The rest is covered in  this whiteish/pale green stuff that will scrub off without damaging the glass, but it needs steel wool to move it. 
I don't think it's at all valuable and I'm not sure it's worth the effort of cleaning, but I'm curious about what has happened.  I've read previous threads about water damage but none of it seems to cover such fast, almost instantaneous change.  Any info appreciated.

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Max on March 11, 2009, 01:21:19 PM

It was clear green when you bought it and got that residue after being in the soapy water??  That.  Is.  Bizarre!

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Lustrousstone on March 11, 2009, 01:52:32 PM

Ssomebody has either painted the vase with something to match their decor or it is a cheap way of producing vases in all the colours... You'll probably find it dries OK, but I wouldn't bother with any more cleaning

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Ivo on March 11, 2009, 01:58:51 PM

I suspect the colour was a chinese paint-on - the type that scratches off with your nail. By using Ecover = vinegar you attacked the layer which went opaque. If you clear all off it will leave you with an unspectacular clear vase...

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Max on March 11, 2009, 02:56:57 PM

Yes!  I'll go for that.  It's paint that became opaque in the water.  Wish I'd thought of that.   :hiclp:

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Anne on March 11, 2009, 03:01:19 PM

I had the same thing happen with one of the Chance Britannia plates (a grubby pink one) which lost its pink coating when washed vigorously!  :o

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: ckscot on March 11, 2009, 04:29:16 PM

Spot on Ivo!  I scrubbed some more around the rim and realised that I was scrubbing it clear. That hadn't been apparent when I scrubbed the middle - see my (rather rubbishy) picture of the effect.  I would never have suspected that it had been painted on.  One for the recycling bin  I think. 
Thanks to all for their contributions

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: vidrioguapo on March 11, 2009, 05:16:21 PM

Oh yes, this has happened to me too some years ago..........bought a nice purple/blue streaky vase very dirty and it all washed off, didn't even need to scrub it very hard, it just kind of "dissolved" - the paint that is, not the glass.

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Frank on March 11, 2009, 05:41:17 PM

Quote from: ckscot on March 11, 2009, 04:29:16 PM

One for the recycling bin  I think. 

 :o just finish taking the cold decoration off.

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Max on March 11, 2009, 06:07:43 PM

I must be the only one this hasn't happened to.  I feel left out! 

I'm going to go and scrub some uranium glass, see if I can get a reaction out of it.   :rn:

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Anne on March 11, 2009, 06:14:38 PM

Nah if you want a reaction, Max, pop it in the mi.... on second thoughts, no don't!   :o  :kissy:

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Lustrousstone on March 11, 2009, 06:48:02 PM

I'm sure you have some Chance you could scrub Max and get a good result, don't bother wasting your time on the uranium, just send it to me

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: ckscot on March 12, 2009, 09:31:05 AM

Well I took Frank's advice and carried on cleaning it, much more environmentally friendly than binning it.  Half an hour of serious scrubbing with steel wool and here is the result. It actually looks quite handsome.   So a happy ending! javascript:void(0);
Thanks to all.
Iain

Title: Re: I've just washed this vase and look what happened.
Post by: Max on March 12, 2009, 05:49:03 PM

That vase will always hold a special place in your heart now Iain...all the work that went into scrubbing must have meant something!   ;)

Christine, take your eyes of my uranium!  I don't have much, but it's mine!  :mrgreen: