Cloudy Glass

I'm sure I've seen this posted before but searching didn't come up with
anything (I'm probably searching in the wrong place).

Marie Forjan...

I have tried vinegar, nail polish remover and denture cleaning tablets
so far...none worked. I'll keep trying and get back to the group.

Thanks to all for the suggestions!

Anyway, I have a EAPG US Glass spooner that is slightly cloudy inside
the bowl. It's clear glass, the cloudiness isn't bad and I probably
wouldn't even notice it if it weren't sitting right next to a compote of
the same pattern.

Does anyone have any tips on cleaning it? Would it be best to just leave
it alone?

Kris Baker...

Hi, Marie

Forest Duck...

Try soaking it in vinegar for a couple of days. That might work. I have also
heard of soaking in coca-cola.

Marie Forjan...

I shutter to think what Coke does to my stomach!

Kris Baker...

Why?

Compared to the naturally-occurring acids in your digestive system,
Coca-Cola is a mild substance.

You must have seen some of those science class demonstrations
in junior high, where they'd pour Coke on a piece of meat and let
it marinate? They never poured stomach acids on one, did they?

Nancy1...

Sometimes cloudy glass is permanently etched, in which case you won't
be able to improve it. But the best way to clear up glass that isn't
permanently etched is with -- ta- da! acetone nail polish remover. I
did a whole set of glasses, one at a time, rubbing pretty hard with a
moistened cotton pad, and let me say, it worked a treat! This is one
of Martha's tips that really works.

Bob's vinegar idea is very good. If it's "sick glass" cloudy (ie, it
has absorbed water minerals), it may not be fixable. If the
vinegar doesn't work, try wiping on some of that mineral remover
you use on showers and windows. The really strong stuff that
you have to use gloves for; even the strong blue toilet bowl
cleaner (rust-off, something like that). Don't leave it on, just
rub it on and let it set for a few seconds, then rub again.
Let it dry.

There's also a trick you can do, if you're going to display
this. Get it really dry, then wipe it all over with salad
oil (not olive oil). It will make it look "wet". Don't use too
much. A little will do.

GlassBobB...

Yes, the oil treatment is likely the best you are going to do, short of
having a repairman "polish" out the inside of the piece -- go back to the
beginning -- we're talking about a "spooner" -- what do you think has been
dropped into this glass for at least 80 years? That's right, spoons. And
they scratch the inside of glass spoon holders. Sick glass is a whole
nother malady. Bob, Narragansett RI

Tim Mullen...

Ah, relevance. One of the small joys in life is when the
right information comes along at just the right time.

I just picked up a medical ammeter from 1885. Despite
carefully cleaning the glass with a rag dampened with windex,
a very slight haze persisted on the inside. After reading
this thread I rubbed a Q-tip (tm) on the glass. No change.
Touched it with my finger, and the oil made a clear thumb
print. Aha! A tip-O-the-hat to Kris!

Now, I'm prefectly fine living with this slight haze
(after cleaning the finger print with more Windex), but
it mystifies me how the glass got this way. Certainly the
inside of the meter was never exposed to liquids, or spoons.
Perhaps outgassing from the black lacquer painted on the
inside of the brass case?

Or does glass just get this way sometimes with age?
I know I'm getting hazy as I get older. :)

Kris Baker...

You're welcome!

Someone else has to figure out how it got that way; I'm
wondering if it was in a seaside climate.