I have a couple of crystal with residue left on them from the size labels. I have tried everything I have to remove it but to no avail. I am at the point where I believe it is etched in the glass, improbable I know but at this point I am out of ideas. Try as I might I can't get a decent picture. Has anyone encountered this and how did you deal with it.

I have had good luck with Goof-Off

An old watchmaker trick I was shown many years ago involves the use of the old original Colegate white toothpaste and a damp wash rag.

Put a small dab of the toothpaste on the dampened wash cloth and lay the cloth flat on a table top.

Using a circular motion, polish the crystal on the toothpaste until the area is cleared.

The original Colegate toothpaste is nothing but a super mild abrasive suspended in the paste, and I have sucessfully removed scratches and the type residue you're dealing with.

No guarantee, but something I've been shown, and a techniquie I've tried that worked for me.

Regard! Mark

Thank you, and just in case anyone was wondering they are glass crystals.

Tom, I have tried Goo-Gone and left it on for an hour...... nothing.

Mark, I tried Jewellers Rouge and it didn't work but I will try the toothpaste, you never know.

try isopropyl alcohol works for me

http://www.daveswatchparts.com...romGlassCrystals.pdf

Here is a great article on your very topic

Good luck

The chemicals used in tapes, such a Scotch Tape and its varients, will eventually etch the glass. I am not certain as to how long it takes but I know that to be a fact.

Rub your fingernail over that spot that won't remove. You should be able to tell whether those marks are above the surface or incuse.

How about a picture?

Marty

Lorne,

The old glue that they used can etch the glass and I have many crystals with this problem. It takes a lot of work and progressively finer grits of cerium oxide, diamond paste or other polishing compounds to remove. You can frequently get them about 75% better after 15 or 20 minutes work, but that last 25% seems to take forever.

Glass etching is a DEFINITE possibility with those old crystals. Why do you think there are so many ebay sellers with glass crystals for sale? Ha! Not that all those old crystals are etched, but you never know.

I finally got decent pic and I believe it is etched(thanks for the link Jon). Problem is it was an ebay bought display case and they are both the same. The seller is willing to work things out so I may ask for a partial refund. Any suggestions, $10 each for crystals plus shipping, you can't just put these in an envelope so min. $12.95 Priority Mail International Box. I live in a small town in northern B.C. so finding and fitting is an issue. Plus the annoyance factor as he did say "the crystal glasses are flawless".

These measure exactly 43mm. and were glued in. They are a bit sloppy with no glue so 43.1 or maybe 43.2 would be a good friction fit.

Lorne, Dave's article is right on the money. I took a small jar, down to an auto glass repair shop. I told them what I was doing, and wanted some cerium oxide, I gave them the jar, and they filled it up, no charge.

I have had a few crystals with the stickers still on and I soaked it in a plastic container filled wit hot water and dish soap. Came right off with a bit of help / rubbing. Kinda the same thing that is done to remove wine bottle labels. I did not have the etching problem, but that was just me.
Dan

Lorne,

Did you try the cerium oxide method to remove the etching?

V/r

Jon

The seller and I came to an agreement, I will send him back the case and he will replace the crystals with two good matching ones and he is paying postage both ways, can't really argue with that.

Regarding the cerium oxide, I went to a auto glass repair shop as Brian suggested and they gave me a jar full. That just left me thinking of a way to use it so I went to an engine repair place and got an old valve with a 45mm diameter dead flat head on it. I will glue on some felt, stick it in a variable speed drill and try it on one of my thick flat crystals.

Let us know how it works out...