Producing Debarnacled Bottles

November 19, 2005 7:43 PM

I found this nifty bottle while I was diving (it appears to be rather old, with 1857 stamped into it...) and wanted to remove the barnacles from it. What's the best way to do this?
posted by arrhn to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (3 answers total)

# These techniques should be used for glass which has been in sea water for more than a hundred years, although they are effective for any rust stained glass.
# Some consideration could be given to leaving barnacles on the glass to give it an authentic nautical look. If you choose this, then skip the Ammonium Citrate wash.
# Carefully remove most concretions with a metal pick.
# Soak in 5% Ammonium Citrate solution for 24 hours to remove remaining concretions and rust stains. If Ammonium Citrate is not available use vinegar.
# Wash the artifact in cold distilled water. Repeat Ammonium Citrate wash if rust stains are still visible.
# Allow the glass to air dry.
# Submerge in alcohol for seven days to remove all water.
# Soak for 24 hours in a 10% Acryloid B-72 solution in acetone.
# Using a soft toothbrush, brush off excess Acryloid B-72 with acetone.
posted by furtive at 7:57 PM on November 19, 2005

If you have any desire to ever sell it or show it in public, I would have it authenticated first, and then clean it later.
posted by bingo at 10:37 PM on November 19, 2005

The barnacles are part of what makes it special; I wouldn't clean them off.
posted by interrobang at 10:42 PM on November 19, 2005