Ashtray Cleaning 101

[doc3d]

I just got one of those cool heavy glass ashtrays used as props in BR. It had a logo silkscreened on the bottom.

If you want to get said logo off without damaging the glass, the answer is a bit of phosphoric acid mixed with hydrochloric acid-- e.g. standard off the shelf rust remover.

Be sure and wear safety gear-- that's nasty stuff-- but it will give you a clear ashtray in about ten minutes.

Doc

[Deckards double]

Nice tip Doc, thanks. I may well bid on one now

[Noeland]

Damn. I can't say I've ever handled either of those.

I print with plastisol inks in my work, and we use acetone, and acetates to remove cured inks from garments. Depends on what inks were used on the ashtray though, they might work too.
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I don't have enough blasters!

[joberg]

I usually use Draino with a little water and let it sit for an hour, then clean it with hot water and soap. Careful with Draino, don't mix Bleach with it and wear gloves and goggles.

[doc3d]

Draino is mostly lye, if I remember correctly. Acetone wouldn't touch that stuff they used to silkscreen-- at least in any reasonable time. As I mentioned earlier, the screening ink must have been formulated to withstand a commercial dishwashing machine. I also tried MEK. Nada. (I am sort of into instant gratification, though...

However, the rust remover took about five minutes. Glass can be dissolved in hydrofluoric acid, which I keep on hand for etching, but glass is pretty inert to most other stuff. With a five minute covering of rust remover (phosphoric and hydrochloric acids) and a five minute clear wash after, I saw no signs of any etching, but the silkscreen paint wiped right off with a kitchen scrub sponge (the two sided variety, which I threw away after).

Of course, results may vary. Use at your own risk, and handle rust remover with extreme care-- it will attack metals, as well as your fingers, eyes, clothing, whatever... Goggles and chemical resistant gloves (not your diswashing playtex variety) are a must. I suppose I should use the rest of the bottle and go derust my daughter's ancient Schwinn bicycle fenders...

Doc

[doc3d]

When using acetone to get stains off garments, test a small area first. Many natural fibers will do ok. If the fabric is the wrong kind of plastic based material though, it will dissolve. I found that out the hard way, as with many of life's little lessons.

Doc

[Mr Webber]

Ive read that the wardrobe people used acetone to remove the gold addidas stampings off Deckards shoes.
I wouldnt dream of trying it on mine though, Im too scared
even to try and dye the Magnoli shirt.
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Formerly offworld66

[doc3d]

What the f**k. They're only shoes...

Doc

[Mr Webber]

Turn it up doc, original addidas officials as worn in the movie
dont fall off trees anymore, i was lucky to find these and theyve
never even been worn let alone treated with a dissolving agent
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Formerly offworld66

[doc3d]

Yeah, but do they fit?

[Mr Webber]

Their size 9s, Harrison Fords size i beleive, Im a 10-11 and as they
came new in the box, as a collector, it would be foolish to modify them except for the new brown laces.
If there was anything worth wearing it to down here, id take the pain and squeeze em on.
Check out my Deckards outfit thread doc.
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Formerly offworld66

[doc3d]

Just kidding ya' man... Lucky find!

Doc

[Mr Webber]

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Formerly offworld66

[SaberFreak]

I just use a fresh exacto blade...the logo shaves right off like wet paint off of glass.

Don't try this unless you're well practiced though.

[doc3d]

I tried an xacto, because you're right-- done carefully a razor blade or knife is a good method. Whatever the paint was on the one I had didn't want to come off. Also you can score soft glass with steel. I still recommend rust remover for the least hassle...

Doc