filthy frit.

[Otis]

I've inherited buckets and buckets of soft glass ranging in size from fine to 3 inch chips(cullet?). mostly smaller frits.

The problem is that it has been sitting for years and is really dirty. can anyone recomend a proven frit cleaning method.

so far i have tried filling a 30 gallon tank with water, inserting frit, then adding a hose for adding water and a hose to siphon off. i stirred and filtered all day, but there is still a sheen of dust. its a hell of a lot cleaner, but i want it spotless.

thanks

[Destrukt]

How about some de-greaser and a mixer attachment for a drill. if the dust is sticking its probably got oils on it.

[standard28]

Get 2 buckets and drill a bunch of holes in one. Fill the other bucket with water and a detergent that breaks down the dirt and oils, possibly a dish soap. Pour glass into bucket with holes and insert into the bucket with detergent. Twist the bucket with the glass back and forth (agitate) then pull bucket out and rinse. Then get some acetone and pour over the top. This will rinse off the water and oil residues then evaporate. Then lay out paper towels and dump and let dry. I have acid and I would do a quick dip but the detergent and acetone should work.

[sunray]

How about some de-greaser and a mixer attachment for a drill. if the dust is sticking its probably got oils on it.

I don't think that degreaser is a good idea so I've been told it leaves a film on the glass. Soap and water rinse drain is what I did with a lot of old Pyrex just my 2c and I don't know much...

[MPGB]

Do a final rinse with distiller or RODI water. It have almost zero TDS (total dissolved solids (calcium......)). You can go to a supermarket and buy a gallon for ~1.25 or go to an aquarium store and ask for RODI water ~$.25 - $.50 per gallon.

[smolder holder]

^^ I would highly recommend this step

[Jimi The Don]

piss works best, preferably your own

[FatTireBiker]

piss sounds like a golden idea....

[AYHEM]

^^x343246554

[ITIS]

denatured alcohol?

[Glassroots]

autoclave

[MPGB]

How would autoclaving clean glass?

[ITIS]

the dust might burn off?

[MPGB]

Autoclaves use steam to sterilize at temps of about 260 f. A kiln would be a better choice.

[coloringdan]

I have just dumped loads of used soft cullet on a clean concrete floor and hosed it down. Melted the batch and couldn't tell the difference between fresh. It doesn't seem to need to be as clean as you would think.

[standard28]

An ultrasonic cleaner is another great way to clean glass. At the university chemistry dept they use it all the time to clean glass. You can even etch glass with an ultra sonic cleaner. Just dump in water a little detergent and set glass in and after 20-30 mins all clean

[Otis]

The pee worked.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll post up my findings when done. Itll be a while
Theres about 800 lbs of the stuff.

[jello]

That's alot of peeing...