Rutilated Quartz bottle

[Mandarin]

Here's a 20th Century 'hair' bottle I picked up on eBay for a lot less than what they usually sell for. The reason might have been that it had a tiny chip in the neck edge and grinding marks on the bottom. I used a thin diamond drill to roughen up the 'chipped' surfaces and then filled them in with Araldite Crystal Clear epoxy. When it had hardened after several days I used a fine Swiss file to shape the epoxy to the local contours, then Brasso to polish the epoxy surfaces. If the finish is not glossy enough then a clear varnish (like Humbrol no. 35 poly varnish) can be lightly brushed onto the epoxy surfaces to blend it in to the quartz. Then an application of silicone oil to the bottle followed by careful buffing with a soft cloth will blend it all in.

[Steven]

Wow, very nicely done and a Great tip for fixing the little imperfection of the bottle.

I would love to try to fix some of my bottles as well, but I am afraid that I am not be able  do so well as you did.

Steven

[George]

Absolutely fantastic !!

I did some lapidary work for a while, and have since sold the equipment.. I miss being able to do little things like this..

I am not familiar with the Araldite Crystal Clear epoxy you used... It turned out very nice !

Also...

Be sure to resize your images down to a reasonable size..

Notice when you click on your images ?

It makes it real difficult to both read and view the pictures at the same time without having to scroll up and down, and sideways several times..

Something more like this size where all that dead space around the object is deleted would be a big help...

[Mandarin]

Its not that difficult Steve, just remember to roughen up the surfaces of the chips to give the epoxy a key to adhere to. Also, its easy to remove the hardened epoxy with a file as all you have to do is follow the contour of the bottle - the bottle material is harder than the file which makes it simple.

Yes George you're right, it is a pain. I'll try the smallest setting on my camera. I was concerned that the detail would not show hence the large photo size.

[George]

I wonder if a guy can color the Araldite Crystal Clear black ? 

[Mandarin]

Hi George,
Yes it is possible, and may be more durable than painting black over the hardened epoxy. If you are going to colour the epoxy, you can use any clear-ish epoxy, it doesn't have to be Araldite Crystal Clear epoxy. You can try different brands of epoxy.
You can mix a little gloss black enamel (e.g. Humbrol) or acrylic (e.g. Tamiya, Gunze) paint with the epoxy. You will need to test the mixed product first, as the paint may cause the epoxy to not set, or cause it to wrinkle or cause some other problem. I would try the enamel paint first as acrylic paint sets very quickly and is thin. If the epoxy/paint mix sets hard, you will know that it has worked. If the hardened black epoxy is too shiny, you can dull it by rubbing with some Brasso. The most important thing is to test before you do the actual job. Let me know how you get on!
Vaughan

[George]

Excellent Vaughan !

Thank you, and I will give it a whirl...

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear Vaughan,
    A very nice modern hair crystal.
Shabbat Shalom,
Joey

[PeterH]

Looks familiar Vaughan. How are you? I lost a lot of contact adresses on my computer and hence have lost touch with you. Hope all is extra well including work.
I am getting to the point of having too many SB's but still acquire a few.

Best wishes Peter

[Mandarin]

Hi Peter,
Good to hear from you again! I mentioned joining the forum and am glad to see you've 'followed suit'. I'm bearing up under the strain. How are things with you?
Regards
Vaughan

[Wattana]

It sounds like you two need no introduction....!

Tom

[Mandarin]

Hi Tom,
Yes its a small (snuff bottle) world. I've been busy restoring another aikuchi and filling in chips on stoppers and making new corks. I always turn the new corks down over the bath otherwise the cleanup takes longer! Hope you're well?
Regards
Vaughan

[Wattana]

I always turn the new corks down over the bath otherwise the cleanup takes longer!

Hi Vaughan,

Yet another useful tip!

All's well at this end, apart from the heat....

Tom

[Jungle Jas]

I wonder if a guy can color the Araldite Crystal Clear black ? 

George, I've just spotted this post. You can buy purpose made epoxy resin colorant from a builders merchant or specialist supplier. 

[George]

I wonder if a guy can color the Araldite Crystal Clear black ? 

George, I've just spotted this post. You can buy purpose made epoxy resin colorant from a builders merchant or specialist supplier. 

Hi Jungle Jas, and welcome to the forum... Thank you very much...

Just so happens I have a bottle on the way that I purchased with the intent of giving the Araldite a try with .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251535231424?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[Mandarin]

A quick comment that its not necessary to colour the repair resin or epoxy for small chips, the resin or epoxy can be applied in this case without colouring because the background material will blend the repair in.

Vaughan