Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate

So for shits n giggles I cleaned one of my new horribly cloudy grande bottles and left the original red wax in. I simply flushed and drained/emptied the bottle about 4 times to remove all traces of original fluid and residue. I made sure when pouring out the water to do it gently so when the lava tipped over it didn't make much residue marks on the glass. When putting right side up, I did it gently so the lava slipped back into position slowly.

Let set overnight with a paper towel plug to help absorb left over water/water vapor.

Filled the bottle with distilled water to a height that left a 1/2" gap underneath where the decorative cap sits.

I used surf that was left over from one of my goo kits.

I added about 37 to 38 mls of surf. Why cause I had to start somewhere and wanted to be near but less than the normal 45 ml or so when doing a grande goo kit.

- 2 cooking measuring tablespoons (15ml x 2) = 30 ml

- 1/2 cooking measuring tablespoon = 7 to 8 ml

I couldn't believe it, after about 4 hours, the lamp works beautifully and flows fantastically. My wife could not believe how nice it worked. The fluid is crystal clear and the lava shows no signs of any of that powdery stuff that seamed to always lay on top when it was used with the original fluid.

At first the lava seamed to always have a hardish crusty exterior with a melted interior but once fully warm that went away 100%.

Now, I have to cap this puppy and have a thought about how to do this without cement.

Use the original rubber plug, use the original metal cap, and use metal bendable strapping to create a plus sign on top the metal cap, bend the strapping down to the neck keeping the contour shape, use a hose clamp to keep the strapping tight to the glass and under the neckline, then bend the strapping back up over the clamp to create a hook like shape. I don't see why this wouldn't work. Kinda of line an improvised champagne cork holder.

Thoughts?

I will try to add a video to this post tomorrow even if I don't have it permanently cap in place yet.

I still can't believe I have a clear and correctly working grande :)

Photo of the lamp off after running for about 6 hours

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Keith: If you did not epoxy your caps on what did you use??

All I used, which I mentioned at the beginning of this post is distilled water and 37 to 38 ml of surf. That's is :)

Claude, with regards to the epoxy. I'll do the best I can, if I can't get the edge bent down under the neck again. I'll epoxy the veriticle surfaces first, then make a new batch next day, use a small brush or qtip apply under the lip then bend down the edge of the cap.

Both the ones I bought work on glass and metal and both are 5 minutes

I thought you apply the glue to the glass surfaces not the cap?

After you mix the glue, use a popsicle stick or foam brush (something flat) and just evenly scrape the glue to the edge of the upside down cap. It will be the fastest way. 

When you put the cap on, spin it back and forth to spread the glue evenly, then start tapping down the edge. 

You get too particular with application of glue, will will use up your 5 min setting time.

Well, here is what i did. I mixed the epoxy for a good 20 seconds. Already had the hose clamp loose on the metal cap. Used a qtip to apply a liberal amount of epoxy on the interior of the cap all round on the vertical portion. Put the cap on, turned it back and forth several times, Tightened the hose clamp and let it sit for an hour. Then took off the clamp and used the claw side of the hammer, pushing up against the cap lid to bend it back down under the neck.

The only problem I see is that the small rip in the vertical portion bent up a little when tightening the clamp. So I took a hammer after it was all cured and gently tapped it back down.

I guess there is nothing left to but to try the lamp tomorrow after work and hope it does not turn into a volcano and blow its top.

wow what a mess, the glass cant be very strong :-/

Claude J said:

Results of a reptile heater too close to the bottom of globe

This has  happened with standard bulbs when lamp was located too close to a room's heat source

NOTE: You need to cap it COLD

Cap it hot and the rubber plug will get sucked into the globe when it cools

Also,  some members here have experienced this with their colossus's in the past

Check the threads

CAP THE LAMP PROPERLY AND QUIT TRYING TO JURY RIG IT



kero48 said:

 also I don't understand as long as there is a method to keep the  rubber plug securely in place how would vapor escape whether it's straps cement or a pipe cap the key is to keep the  rubber plug securely in place.  how much pressure are we talkin about

Well, it certainly isn't as thick as a Lunar bottle.

They can only hold so much pressure

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