Glass

jd0272 · May 2016

Bugger all to do with guitars, but much cleverness in this section so here we are.

Got a large glass skull (currently filled with expensive vodka, it'll be empty by Monday) that I want to turn into a lamp (for a very nice young woman).

I want to frost/etch the inside of the bottle (then fill it with wee LED lights etc) and ta-daa, lamp.

What manner of liquid chemical would one use to etch/frost said surface? I've had a scoot on't' web but it's all a bit flimmy flammy. Obviously I can't use etching cream as it's the inside I'm wanting done.

Ta muchly.

ICBM · May 2016

Hydrofluoric acid is used for etching glass, but it's probably unlikely you can buy it easily - it's *extremely* dangerous, much more so than the other strong acids.

Could you paint the inside with some semi-transparent silver/glitter-loaded paint or nail varnish type stuff?

Sambostar · May 2016

I didn't even know you can acid etch glass but looks like you can eh. Wow. Here's a video of some fat bloke drilling a hole in glass.

You are keen eh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_KDslB51FM

Gassage · May 2016

You want to call St Gobain's technical helpline

You can acid etch with a paste based acid which stays where it should be

Sambostar · May 2016

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Armour-Etch-RECOMMENDED-CLEANING-GLASSES/dp/B0001DTWYG

Hydroflouric acid. Sounds painful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO2qNxalupQ

jd0272 · May 2016

ICBM;1092481" said:
Hydrofluoric acid is used for etching glass, but it's probably unlikely you can buy it easily - it's *extremely* dangerous, much more so than the other strong acids.

Could you paint the inside with some semi-transparent silver/glitter-loaded paint or nail varnish type stuff?

Nah boss, it's a magnum volume skull bottle with a narrow neck, thus liquid in to coat. Same with the cream, not practical.

The acid/vinegar/salt solution route is what sticks out, just wondered if there was something I hadn't heard of out there.

Things a bloke does for a bunk up...

EricTheWeary · May 2016

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y513/phlplls/Mobile Uploads/2015-12/0C1D349B-1A1B-4328-B725-7A24CE0F3350.png_zpssi78r0mb.jpeg My mate Richard ( one of the people behind Diamond Bottleneck Slides), that thing he is holding started as an IKEA tumbler. Fairly sure he'd know but no idea when I'll see him next. If I do I'll ask him.

jd0272 · May 2016

Very much obliged @EricTheWeary cheers!

jd0272 · May 2016

Sarge · May 2016

No idea mate, but that vodka is delightful!

Sarge · May 2016

rustoleum do a frost effect spray iirc

jd0272 · May 2016

Sarge;1092774" said:
No idea mate, but that vodka is delightful!

Aye, I'm looking forward to finding out! I'll have a whole magnum to go at.

DrBob · June 2016

Sarge;1092774" said:
No idea mate, but that vodka is delightful!

Really ? I was given a bottle as a gift and didn't think it was anything special. Certainly not a patch on Reyka.
Bottle is cool though

hywelg · June 2016

ICBM said:

Hydrofluoric acid is used for etching glass, but it's probably unlikely you can buy it easily - it's *extremely* dangerous, much more so than the other strong acids.

Technically correct, but incorrect in that HF will cut the glass clean. If you want to 'etch' it as in 'frost' it the acid needs to be cut with sulphuric IIRC. The mix of the two will give the degree of frosting. This is how the Victorians decorated pub windows, in conjunction with brilliant cutting.

Yes you are correct, its nigh on impossible to buy. I keep some in the workshop and have to jump through hoops to get a new bottle of 60% HF. It is extremely NASTY stuff. Do not even think of trying to get some unless you know how to handle it. Oh and dont wear glasses with glass lenses when doing so!!!

You can buy frosting from stained glass suppliers but its, frankly, crap, the results are very patchy. If you really want it done properly take it to somewhere like these and ask if they'll do it for you.

http://www.stained-glass-studio.co.uk/acid etched.htm
http://www.creativeglass.net/keyservices.htm

jd0272 · June 2016

@hywelg I'd never thought of sourcing a glass studio. Well played.

And, no, I won't bugger about with really nasty stuff.

hywelg · June 2016

Give Steven Amin a ring, he's your neck of the woods

jd0272 · June 2016

hywelg;1093420" said:
Give Steven Amin a ring, he's your neck of the woods

Aye I've clocked him, Monkseaton. Will do.

Jalapeno · June 2016

fill it with blue marbles .....

jd0272 · June 2016

Jalapeno;1093663" said:
fill it with blue marbles .....

and lights, that would look canny.

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