If you are just visiting and found the information you were looking for please contribute to the running costs by making a donation.	Forums : : Register : : Log In : : Log Out : : Help : : Calendar : : Search
	My Setup : : Member List : : Contact Admin : : Today's Posts

All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Cleaning and Repairing >> Removing "gunk" inside old bottle

Page: [1]

Login Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>

Removing "gunk" inside old bottle - 11/14/2005 10:25:39 PM    Yankeepeddler   Posts: 3 Joined: 11/11/2005 Status: offline First off, I'm happy to have located this website and also I'm fairly new to the "world of old bottles" but have always had a certain fascination with early quality bottles. Just tonight I won a rather interesting bottle on eBay. It looks to be circa 1840 and is pontiled and written on the side is "N. Wood Portland Me" I paid handsomely for it but it has an undeniable appeal. I wrote to the seller several days ago about the "gunk" in the bottle that's obvious in the photos but he didn't reply. Since it seems the bottle has pretty good rarity and market value I decided to "go for it" and hope that I can remove the residue that's contained about one quarter of the way up from the bottom. Is it appropriate or advisable for me to attempt to do so or is it better left "as is" with the contents intact from a value standpoint?? If it's advisable to attempt to remove it does anyone more knowledgeable than I have some adivce on how I'd go about removing it without damaging the bottle or its value? Any and all input and advice is welcome. Thanks and again I'm happy to have found you folks! Attachment (1) Post #: 1

RE: Removing "gunk" inside old bottle - 11/15/2005 4:59:19 AM    David E Posts: 995 Joined: 5/24/2004 Status: offline Give someone the honor of telling you how to clean it, I would like to know also. There is a long story on this bottle, will give you some and ask for more if you need it. It at one time had a label for DR. BUZZELL'S VEGETABLE BILIOUS BITTERS. Also once had a label for Atwells Wild cherry bitters. Nathan Wood also prepared a product and sold the product in the mid or late 1890's. Aqua 7 1/2" x 3" x 2" (in reply to Yankeepeddler) Post #: 2

RE: Removing "gunk" inside old bottle - 11/15/2005 7:16:58 AM    Bottle tumbler   Posts: 370 Joined: 4/5/2004 From: Noxen pa Status: offline Hello and welcome. I have beeen cleaning and tumbling bottles for 4 years now. I have had some real winners in the gunk area of this hobbie. The best thing i have found to clean it out is gas. It will not hurt your value or the bottle. soakthe inside for 1 day then get a small long dowle rod or a coat hanger and try and stir the contents and loosing it up, pull out what you can and repeat this untill al is gone, get a small brush and go to it again to get the film off the glass inside. be careful when doing this not to apply to much pressure on the lip or sides and it will be slippery. take your time. no hurry. wear gloves. check out my website at www.bottletumbling.com i have some great pictures there. if you need a futher help please email me. rick kern (in reply to Yankeepeddler) Post #: 3

RE: Removing "gunk" inside old bottle - 11/15/2005 10:07:44 AM    GuntherHess Posts: 5129 Joined: 12/13/2004 From: Frederick Maryland Status: offline gasoline is a pretty good solvent but its also extremely dangerous. Definately avoid using it in the house. _____________________________ Looking for Frederick Maryland and Dr Fahrney Bottles 2008 Medicine Bottle Price Guide on CDROM http://www.mattsoldhouse.com/MC/bottles/BottleBook2008.htm email http://www.mattsoldhouse.com/MC/bottles/email.jpg (in reply to Yankeepeddler) Post #: 4

RE: Removing "gunk" inside old bottle - 11/15/2005 10:49:31 AM    Yankeepeddler   Posts: 3 Joined: 11/11/2005 Status: offline Terrific responses. Thanks very much. Thanks all: David E, Bottle tumbler, and GuntherHess .. it's greatly appreciated. (in reply to Yankeepeddler) Post #: 5

RE: Removing "gunk" inside old bottle - 11/20/2005 3:35:10 PM    Yankeepeddler   Posts: 3 Joined: 11/11/2005 Status: offline Today I decided to give the N. Wood bottle a "go" cleaning-wise with the garnered input from this board. Rather than have the bottle tumbled since isn't a dug bottle I decided to use acetone to liquify the crystalized contents. It worked like a charm. All the residue immediately liquified and nothing remained. Then I used some Dawn dishwashing liquid to rinse the interior and exterior clean. The bottle is brilliantly clean now and I very much appreciate the input of all those who assisted. I've taken a photo of the result and will post shortly. (in reply to Yankeepeddler) Post #: 6

All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Cleaning and Repairing >> Removing "gunk" inside old bottle

Page: [1]

New Messages No New Messages Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages

Post New Thread  Reply to Message  Post New Poll  Submit Vote  Delete My Own Post  Delete My Own Thread  Rate Posts