Bubbles in my glass

LampLit · #1 2014-09-25, 8:20pm

Not sure what is going on but I am getting major bubbles in my really soft glass such as sark Ivory and Effetre white. It's happening in other colours too but those are the worst. Is it my bead release? Sludge plus. It was good for the longest time and I haven't even used half the jar... I only purchased it in June.

Eileen · #2 2014-09-25, 8:26pm

Are you making sure your release is dry & mandrel hot before putting the glass on it?

jaci · #3 2014-09-25, 9:55pm

Maybe it's the way you are applying it to the mandrel, or lack of preheating or rods with more air in them. Or maybe you are boiling the softer colors a bit now that you are used to things a bit hotter? Idk.. Over the years I keep edging up the torch hotter and hotter here and there!

have you tried working cooler?

Any chance the release needs a good mixing or needs to be thinned out a bit? Idk...

Sue in Maine · #4 2014-09-26, 4:06am

My first guess is that you are not getting your mandrel hot enough before applying your glass. That is usually the cause.

Sue

LampLit · #5 2014-09-27, 9:16pm

Thanks everyone. The release appears to be drying (24 hours) with tiny holes in it so it may be the release isn't mixed well enough or isn't sticking well enough to the mandrels so it will try to rough them up and mix it better again. If not will have to try new release.

KJohn · #6 2014-09-27, 10:17pm

or the release has bubbles in it when you use it. I'm careful but still happens to me a lot.