Sea salt fix?

**Plum Tuckered** · 06-23-2013, 04:25 PM

So read in Contemporary lampworking that sea salt can help fix an overworked area. I pushed some cobalt too far and it it in the middle of the piece so i can't just easily tear it out and start over. So before i go to the store for some sea salt, has anyone ever tried this and did it work? Thanks for the help.

**ROGUE** · 06-23-2013, 04:38 PM

Please report if it does work

**Bo Diddles** · 06-23-2013, 04:45 PM

It works. Sometimes.

**Plum Tuckered** · 06-23-2013, 04:48 PM

I'm gonna give it a shot and will post before and after pics. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a weird wives tale. Thanks for the replies.

**TlkQ** · 06-23-2013, 04:59 PM

There's like a super narrow sweet spot. If you use too much it get's this weird film on the glass. It is hard to get it to spray evenly as well.

**Mr. Larry** · 06-23-2013, 05:05 PM

Put the salt in between the flame, and the glass. If you sprinkle it on the glass, it's easy to overdo it. Use a pie tin to collect the salt, or it gets all over. You can see a flare when the salt hits the flame. Use this flare to kind of fume the devit out.

**menty666** · 06-23-2013, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Bo Diddles

It works. Sometimes.

^ this.

I've heard of the bead ladies using it from time to time too. A lot of it depends on how bad the devitrification is. A little bit, you might save it. A lot? You've fundamentally changed the glass.

**Plum Tuckered** · 06-23-2013, 05:27 PM

I got back and read what yall had to say and it worked. It wasn't very bad devit so take that into account as i forgot to get a before pic because I was too excited to try this. But if you're in a pickle I say go for it. It worked for me

**jw721** · 06-23-2013, 05:29 PM

I have always had good luck using denim soaked in very saturated salt water. Just soak a small strip of denim and hold it in the flame in front of the piece, like you are fuming it.

**ROGUE** · 06-23-2013, 06:02 PM

So what are you using, is it the actual flame, or is it the fume that does it? How much sea salt are we talking? Just sprinkle it on like you're salting your fries? Man I have this piece right now that is almost perfect except a tiny bit of devit between the dots, looks like incompatibility or something. I would just hold that spot in front of the flame (what type of flame?) and pour salt between the flame and the piece?

**Mr. Larry** · 06-23-2013, 06:48 PM

Try a salt soaked Kevlar glove and a bushy flame. Sometimes a handtorch on blast mode can oxygenate the scuzz off of colored tubing and dot work.

**ROGUE** · 06-24-2013, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by Bison

Try a salt soaked Kevlar glove and a bushy flame. Sometimes a handtorch on blast mode can oxygenate the scuzz off of colored tubing and dot work.

Perfect, I have an extra one I don't even use. I'm definitely giving this a go

**FredLight** · 06-24-2013, 08:34 AM

Tried it on a blown piece, over-did it.

Tried it on a solid piece, couldn't see any difference.

Sandblast?

**jr23** · 06-24-2013, 08:55 PM

when i ran a major i over did a cobalt sidecar and tried the salt. NO luck.
learning how it happens a how to work without stressing the glass that much is priceless.

the salt trick is just that a trick.
sanblast it and move on

**Aymie** · 06-25-2013, 07:27 AM

The salt trick totally works if you can find that sweet spot. I use a fairly bushy flame and sprinkle the salt in between the torch head and the glass. I have certainly used too much before so be careful.