Basic bottle cleaning

[chosi]

I can't tell from your photo, but off hand those look awfully large for bottle cleaning.
Below is a photo of the copper you get from the Jar Doctor, next to a Quarter to show the relative size.

 

[chosi]

Hey, while I've got my camera out...
Here's what the copper looks like after about 3 years of use. Besides being dirty, it's also a lot smoother with no sharp edges.
Is it time for new copper? I don't think my results are worse then when the copper was new, but it's hard to tell since any change would have been reeeeeeealy gradual.

 

[donalddarneille]

ORIGINAL: SNDMNTBOY

Has anyone tried those copper pellets you put in pellet guns?

Don't use 'em!!!!! Not only are they to large, but they are not real copper, just copper plate. The chemical reaction between the copper clad shot and the cleaning compounds has been known to create pressure inside the tubes, never heard of one blowing open yet, but can be dangerous for you and the bottle when you release the stoppels!

Good luck with your tumbling adventures...... I've found buying clean bottles to start with really helps! BEFORE:

 

[donalddarneille]

And an after shot:

 

[donalddarneille]

But if you're not careful you can knock the embossing around backwards!

 

[BarbaraInCalif]

Nice Donald...what's your trick for getting the inside of rectangular bottles clean? Seems like I tumble just the interiors forever and they still aren't right!

Barbara

 

[donalddarneille]

Hi Barbara, I usually just use cut copper with "RAYBRITE" polish (and a little water of course), being carefull to only put enough copper in so that I get lots of action in the neck area. What are you using?

 

[BarbaraInCalif]

Thanks Donald. First I had to look up Raybright...I see it is an aluminum oxide lapidary polish....do you know if it is similar or better than the alum polish Jr Doc. sells?
I've been using glass beads with 600 grit SiO for cleaning and the Jar Doc's Alum polish. It's mainly the rectangular bottles' interiors that give me fits, so I've switched to copper just on those tumbling their interiors only in a big slow 10 inch canister. I also pre/post clean or polish most interiors with bead media in the big canister too. Happy to say that I'm finally pulling shiny bottles out of the canisters!

Barbara

 

[donalddarneille]

Good to hear that you are getting results. Why not post a few examples of your recent success' here? I'ld love to see how your bottles have come out. And slow is the way to go on the rectangular bottles.

I've never used any of the "Jar Dr.'s" products, so I couldn't say. The Raybright is just easy for me to buy at the Rock and Gem hobby store down the road. It produces excelent results, has very consistant quality, and only cost me about $40 for a 5 pound package with no waiting or shipping charges.

 

[Wangan]

ORIGINAL: BarbaraInCalif

Nice Donald...what's your trick for getting the inside of rectangular bottles clean? Seems like I tumble just the interiors forever and they still aren't right!

Barbara

I dont have a tumbler rig and I dont know this set up,but I have heard of people tumbling bottles end over end.Seems to me that would work well for the tight corners in square or rectangle bottles.I would think one would have to turn the bottle a might to get into opposing corners.If anyone has a picture of a set up like this,I would love to see it.Great post BBB! Very helpful!