All Discussions Tagged 'liquid' - Oozing Goo - The Lava Lamp Syndicate2024-03-28T23:12:19Zhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=liquid&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMathmos Astro liquid swaptag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2023-02-19:1566398:Topic:8707142023-02-19T06:53:56.151ZAliciahttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/Alicia259
<p>I wanted to make custom Mathmos Astro bottles by swapping the liquids between the bottles I have. Is it as easy as pouring out the liquid from one bottle and pouring in another from the other bottle? Do I recap the bottle when hot or cold? Is there anyone who've tried such thing before?</p>
<p>I wanted to make custom Mathmos Astro bottles by swapping the liquids between the bottles I have. Is it as easy as pouring out the liquid from one bottle and pouring in another from the other bottle? Do I recap the bottle when hot or cold? Is there anyone who've tried such thing before?</p> Fixing the Grandetag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2020-10-11:1566398:Topic:7300062020-10-11T23:22:09.828ZKevin Kwasneskihttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/KevinKwasneski
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8024601661?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8024601661?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>I moved from NY to GA and man did that thing get shaken in the truck. I needed to redo the liquid in it. I checked all over for ratios for the grande, but couldn't find any. So here's what I did</p>
<p></p>
<p>- Rinsed out with distilled water</p>
<p>- Refilled until about an 2 inches of space was left at top</p>
<p>- Used 4 table spoons of…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8024601661?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8024601661?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>I moved from NY to GA and man did that thing get shaken in the truck. I needed to redo the liquid in it. I checked all over for ratios for the grande, but couldn't find any. So here's what I did</p>
<p></p>
<p>- Rinsed out with distilled water</p>
<p>- Refilled until about an 2 inches of space was left at top</p>
<p>- Used 4 table spoons of dissolved Epsom salt in a new solution.</p>
<p>- Poured that into lamp with rest of distilled water</p>
<p>- Used maybe 1/2 teaspoon of bubble solution for the surficant</p>
<p>This resulted in what you see above. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Then I emptied out a bit of the liquid and replaced about an inch with pure distilled water and about the same result.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/18zdNq9iJAeuv58ZtHFYMVLLdpbRPQzAE/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/18zdNq9iJAeuv58ZtHFYMVLLdpbRPQzAE/view?usp=sharing</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Here is also a video to show what is going on. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So what element do I need to add more of to get the wax to fall and start flowing?</p> Crestworth Astro Mini no flow and other problems.tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2018-04-26:1566398:Topic:6748782018-04-26T19:01:26.577ZEliashttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/EliasCadir
<p>Hi.</p>
<p>This is My first Post in the forum. Was always a bit scared to ask for help but now i have too many questions piling up.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I bought an Astro Mini a few years ago. It looks like an MK1 but has a mk2 lightswitch.</p>
<p>The liquid is a bit low and the wax melts but stays at the bottom. Both wax and liquid are orange in colour. Not sure if this is an original colour combination and if so is it worth saving?</p>
<p>The liquid looks clear but gets a bit cloudy when…</p>
<p>Hi.</p>
<p>This is My first Post in the forum. Was always a bit scared to ask for help but now i have too many questions piling up.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I bought an Astro Mini a few years ago. It looks like an MK1 but has a mk2 lightswitch.</p>
<p>The liquid is a bit low and the wax melts but stays at the bottom. Both wax and liquid are orange in colour. Not sure if this is an original colour combination and if so is it worth saving?</p>
<p>The liquid looks clear but gets a bit cloudy when heated.</p>
<p>My thought was to slowly top it up with distilled water and see what happens but i wanted to ask first before ruining my bottle. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The seal in the lid (made of cork,cardboard, and aluminium foil i think) was damaged and i dont know how to replace it yet. Keeping the backelite lid would help keeping the copper cap in place.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The rubber grommet at the base allso broke apart, while i was changing to an e14 fitting. Had no sbc bulbs at the time. Does anyone know if these exact ones are still made? Couldn't find them on the internet.</p>
<p>Otherwise ill probbably just rewire the lamp completely.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Is the lamp supposed to run on a candle bulb just leaning on the inside wall loosely? Im concidering making a brass spacer to use round bulbs, without them making direct contact to the lamp base.</p>
<p></p>
<p>One last question. Compared to other copper things this lamp looks allmost golden. might be a clearcoat that went yellow over time. This is my only copper crestworth lamp so i dont know if this is normal.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If im asking too many questions just tell me, so i can make my future posts better.</p>
<p></p> Vintage lamp keeps re-cloudingtag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2017-05-18:1566398:Topic:6518052017-05-18T02:01:50.244ZBSP016https://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/Ben233
Hello,<br />
I have an old Lava-Simplex LavaLite lamp that has been giving me problems since day one. The master fluid was cloudy when I got it and the wax had tons of tiny bubbles. I did the basic Epsom Salt and Dawn liquid replacement, and it worked beautifully...for about two weeks. I noticed the liquid had gotten cloudy again even though I hadn't done anything to the lamp other than run it almost every day for the recommended 8 hours. So I replaced the liquid again, and a few weeks later the lamp…
Hello,<br />
I have an old Lava-Simplex LavaLite lamp that has been giving me problems since day one. The master fluid was cloudy when I got it and the wax had tons of tiny bubbles. I did the basic Epsom Salt and Dawn liquid replacement, and it worked beautifully...for about two weeks. I noticed the liquid had gotten cloudy again even though I hadn't done anything to the lamp other than run it almost every day for the recommended 8 hours. So I replaced the liquid again, and a few weeks later the lamp did the same thing. And again...I must've replaced the master fluid in this lamp at least 12 times and every time I do, the master fluid always ends up re-clouding after running it for about two weeks, even though the flow is still really good. The bubbles in the wax problem is also still there, I did try "stirring" the wax a little when it was solid before my most recent liquid change to get rid of the bubbles and to get the old fluid out of the wax, however the bubbles somehow returned. So am I doing something wrong? Is the wax dead? It's a really pretty lamp when it's flowing properly and the fluid is clear. I'm about ready to kit this lamp if I can't find a permanent solution to the eternal re-clouding. Please help me understand the clearest way to increase and decrease density as well as stretchy lava in vintage lamps!tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2015-08-13:1566398:Topic:5910142015-08-13T19:54:22.052ZVintageKhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/VintageK
<p>Hi gang, it's been far too long! I have been busy collecting older lamps when I can and have a few that need help. I have two that have had the "chunky" lava issue that older lamps that have sat around tend to have. I have found with that that cycling them many times seems to eventually fix that issue. What I need your help with is what is the best chemical to add to the liquid to give a little bit more lift to older lava that seems to need too much heat. (I use dimmers on all of my lamps…</p>
<p>Hi gang, it's been far too long! I have been busy collecting older lamps when I can and have a few that need help. I have two that have had the "chunky" lava issue that older lamps that have sat around tend to have. I have found with that that cycling them many times seems to eventually fix that issue. What I need your help with is what is the best chemical to add to the liquid to give a little bit more lift to older lava that seems to need too much heat. (I use dimmers on all of my lamps as NYC fluxuates too much temperature-wise) but a few of my lamps are needing too high of a wattage so I would like to add what I am hearing to be Glycerine? to increase the density a bit and that this will not affect the surface tension of the lava?</p>
<p>Regarding surface tension, to get a better, stringy-er flow (like the great older lamps) what do you suggest I add? I have heard one of the dish soaps can work (Dawn? or is it another?) I had luck I feel with Dawn in one of my lamps and then tried a drop of Palmolive in my Consort and it was ruined... Other commenters have said Propolyne Glycol to get the lava to stop creating just tight balls and to stretch nicely. (ignore the joke there.) What have you found?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Can anyone give a semi definitive list of options for these chemicals and which have proven to work the best? Thank you!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Trying to go with the FLOW! ;)</p> Lava Lite 2314 Black Base, Black Lava, Neon Green Liquidtag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2014-08-01:1566398:Topic:5401912014-08-01T06:07:15.231ZElaine Selenehttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/ElaineSelene
<p>For Sale:</p>
<p>Lava Lite: 2314</p>
<p>Black Base</p>
<p>Black Lava</p>
<p>Neon Green Liquid</p>
<p></p>
<p>In GREAT condition. I still have the original packaging and everything.</p>
<p>Will consider all offers. Will add pictures of my exact lamp later on. </p>
<p></p>
<p>THIS is what it is exactly:…</p>
<p><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUcHlA0-yPhiqaSsi4FRLFbYd3jl7CeuYuGk41UOKkhhxGSi94VA" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUcHlA0-yPhiqaSsi4FRLFbYd3jl7CeuYuGk41UOKkhhxGSi94VA"></img></a></p>
<p>For Sale:</p>
<p>Lava Lite: 2314</p>
<p>Black Base</p>
<p>Black Lava</p>
<p>Neon Green Liquid</p>
<p></p>
<p>In GREAT condition. I still have the original packaging and everything.</p>
<p>Will consider all offers. Will add pictures of my exact lamp later on. </p>
<p></p>
<p>THIS is what it is exactly:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUcHlA0-yPhiqaSsi4FRLFbYd3jl7CeuYuGk41UOKkhhxGSi94VA"><img class="align-full" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUcHlA0-yPhiqaSsi4FRLFbYd3jl7CeuYuGk41UOKkhhxGSi94VA"/></a></p>
<p></p> Top off Mathmos astrotag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2013-11-26:1566398:Topic:4989832013-11-26T00:30:14.472ZCowmatianhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/Cowmatian
Today, I received my faded blue/blue astro from ebay. The seller didn't have the original box, so I expected just a blank box, but it was actually a jet box. I was happy with that because as you guys know, Mathmos anything is tough to get in the USA. As I was unpacking it, I saw that the jet box was wet, but it didn't smell like gasoline/rubber like my aristocrat did when I worked on it. It did turn out that the bottle leaked though. I have some clear 94 LL fluid on hand, but the LL fluid…
Today, I received my faded blue/blue astro from ebay. The seller didn't have the original box, so I expected just a blank box, but it was actually a jet box. I was happy with that because as you guys know, Mathmos anything is tough to get in the USA. As I was unpacking it, I saw that the jet box was wet, but it didn't smell like gasoline/rubber like my aristocrat did when I worked on it. It did turn out that the bottle leaked though. I have some clear 94 LL fluid on hand, but the LL fluid smells much more toxic (don't know how else to describe it) than the Mathmos. It is down about 1.5 inches, could I use distilled water, fog fluid , or something else. I don't want to mess up the flow. The cap has a small dent, but not too bad. What could I put on the threads when I put the cap back on to make sure it's a tight seal? Lava Lamp Issuetag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2013-10-18:1566398:Topic:4892552013-10-18T19:47:07.059ZAndrewhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/Andrew495
Hello all,<br />
<br />
I am new to the site and I am glad I found it! I got this lamp years ago and I have fond memories of it. It got me through late night study seasons in college. It got tipped over when it was running and I thought it was ruined and turned it off and it has sat on my shelf ever since. I turned it on again after awhile and once it started I remembered why I had not turned it on for years it didn't work or look right. More years past and I saw it again and thought it should be in the…
Hello all,<br />
<br />
I am new to the site and I am glad I found it! I got this lamp years ago and I have fond memories of it. It got me through late night study seasons in college. It got tipped over when it was running and I thought it was ruined and turned it off and it has sat on my shelf ever since. I turned it on again after awhile and once it started I remembered why I had not turned it on for years it didn't work or look right. More years past and I saw it again and thought it should be in the living room. So I cleaned off the layers of dust and plugged it in forgetting about the previous tries. The wax was a pinkish color at first and didn't really stick together. It sat at the top of the lamp. So I did some research about having to get the wax to melt again and it would separate out of the liquid. I got out the pressure cooker and set it in and let it heat up. It seemed to help it a ton and I am happy it works sort of.<br />
<br />
The first picture is what the wax looked like when I first turned it on. The second is what it looks like in between the column state. The last is a glorious picture of the column.<br />
<br />
The wax now flows and the color is what i remembered it to be. The water is very clear and does not cloud after it starts. however, it cycles were it forms a column and all the wax goes to the top. It then breaks and the wax falls and it starts over. It is not the end of the world but it's not as I remembered it working.<br />
<br />
Now here are my questions.<br />
<br />
1. What model is it? Think I got it in the 90's. it uses a 40 watt bulb and the sticker on the inside of the base notes E-42050 but I don't know what that means.<br />
<br />
2. I also notice that the water level is low. Can I add distilled water and does anyone think this will help with the column issue and work better?<br />
<br />
3. Looking at the cap, I think it is a screw cap but I am not sure as I know it could also be a plug. Does anyone know for sure and how do I remove it?<br />
<br />
<br />
I am thinking that the loss of water has shorthand the water column allowing the wax to stay hotter and this is causing the column behavior and to gather at the top. I also think the loss of liquid has changed the surface tension of the water as well.<br />
<br />
Any suggestions on how to fix the column issue and what would happen if I added distilled water or if I need to add water along with anything else or, since it has not been run, it will take care of itself with use.<br />
<br />
Thanks all! CUSTOM UV BLACKLIGHT Lava Adriatic Wave Motion Machine w/ Box ONE OF A KIND!tag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2012-06-07:1566398:Topic:3959192012-06-07T16:35:38.152ZHughesWaveMotionMachinesLLChttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/phreaktor
<p>Customized by <a href="http://www.wavemotionmachines.com" target="_blank">Hughes Wave Motion Machines</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160819317312" target="_blank">Ebay Link</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036773047?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036773047?profile=original" width="746"></img></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hughes-Wave-Motion-Machines/148912628540830" target="_blank">Hughes Wave…</a></p>
<p>Customized by <a href="http://www.wavemotionmachines.com" target="_blank">Hughes Wave Motion Machines</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160819317312" target="_blank">Ebay Link</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036773047?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036773047?profile=original" width="746"/></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hughes-Wave-Motion-Machines/148912628540830" target="_blank">Hughes Wave Motion Machines on Facebook</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> Lava Soup - Replacing the Liquidtag:oozinggoo.ning.com,2012-04-29:1566398:Topic:3876642012-04-29T21:16:14.278ZErinhttps://oozinggoo.ning.com/profile/erin9
<p>This thread is going to be a bit messy, since I'm still learning, but I'm going to share with everyone what I've learned about replacing the liquid (not the wax) in older (60s and 70s) Lava Lite lamps. Please attempt at your own risk and know your results will vary. I would only attempt this on a lamp where the liquid is so cloudy that you can't see through it.</p>
<p><br></br> I will continue to update the original post with new information as I come across it. </p>
<p><br></br> I'm sure many of…</p>
<p>This thread is going to be a bit messy, since I'm still learning, but I'm going to share with everyone what I've learned about replacing the liquid (not the wax) in older (60s and 70s) Lava Lite lamps. Please attempt at your own risk and know your results will vary. I would only attempt this on a lamp where the liquid is so cloudy that you can't see through it.</p>
<p><br/> I will continue to update the original post with new information as I come across it. </p>
<p><br/> I'm sure many of you have seen/have something like this:</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036763946?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036763946?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="300" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://oozinggoo.ning.com/page/cloudy" target="_self"><br/> Filtering is always an option</a>, but most of the time on these old lamps, they will cloud up again. At least that's been the case for me. I did try and filter this one, and it cleared, but after two runs, it clouded up again:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036755959?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036755959?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/> Same with this one:</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036776667?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036776667?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><br/> I do have one lamp that is cloudy when it sits, but will clear up almost completely after running. It's a weird one. So, before you do anything, run the lamp several times (1 week or more - 4+ hours or more) and if you're not seeing any improvement, you probably never will. Cycling a lamp is a good way to clear up mild haziness on 90s lamps, but cloudy lamps like this from the 60s and 70s almost never clear up after cycling. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I have dealt with lamps that have junk in the lava/coil, too. I have taken the lava and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-3-Inch-Strainer/dp/B001713L84/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1335733730&sr=8-7" target="_blank">run it through a fine-mesh strainer</a> to get some of the crap out. It was worked with decent success.Obviously, strain while the lava is hot. </p>
<p><br/> What I've found out is this: once you remove the lava/liquid from the globe and clean it, 1) you'll really need to clean the crap out of the inside of the globe (<a href="http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/217064-cleaner_degreaser.html#.T52na6trPw0" target="_blank">use a degreaser like Jungle Jake</a>) and 2) I've almost always had lava stick to the globe after this process. Oddly, I've been lucky and oftentimes, the lava will unstick itself, esp after several experiments with liquid/additives. If you don't need to do anything to the lava, just leave it. There seem to be more problems with sticking once the lava is removed from the lamp and put back in. </p>
<p></p>
<p>When I replace the liquid, I replace it entirely. No sense in saving cloudy liquid. Unless the lava needs to be "cleaned" too, my vote is to just pour out the liquid when the lava is cold and replace with water. Leave the lava (wax) intact and try to minimize wax knocking the side of the globe as much as possible.</p>
<p><br/> I've had good luck using both tap water and distilled when replacing the liquid in my globes. I didn't see any real noticeable difference between the two. That being said, we have pretty decent water here. So, if you don't want to deal with distilled, I see no problem in using tap water to replace your water, but if you're concerned, spend the 97 cents and buy a gallon of distilled. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Here are all the things I've added to the liquid/tested (not all at the same time obviously):</p>
<p><br/> Epsom salt * Canning (or pickling) salt * Glycerin * Propylene Glycol (50/50 mixture of PG and water) * Miracle Bubbles * Sodium Laureth Sulfate (also known as Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate * Ajax dish soap * Shampoo</p>
<p></p>
<p>Here's where you can find the following supplies. Links are posted within. Most of this stuff is for the US, but can be found worldwide:<br/> </p>
<ul>
<li>Epsom salt - Grocery store, personal care aisle or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Lakes-Wholesale-7627500002-Personal/dp/B000JJAVPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335732401&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></li>
<li>Canning (or pickling) salt - Grocery store or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Canning-Pickling-Salt-Pack/dp/B003U4TRN4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1335732431&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></li>
<li>Glycerin - can be found on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Foods-Glycerine-Vegetable-16-Fluid-Ounces/dp/B0019LWU2K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335733171&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></li>
<li>Propylene Glycol (50/50 mixture of PG and water) - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=propylene+glycol" target="_blank">Found on Amazon.com</a> - I bought the 50/50 mixture, but if I had to do it over again, I'd just get straight PG.</li>
<li>Miracle Bubbles - Can find at <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Miracle-Bubbles-Bubble-Solution-128oz/16533178" target="_blank">Wal-Mart</a>, <a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/imperial-super-miracle-bubbles/ID=prod4103627-product" target="_blank">Walgreens</a>. These are blowing bubbles and are very cheap and common. Don't get the perfumed stuff. </li>
<li>Sodium Laureth Sulfate (also known as Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) - can be <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Sodium+Laureth+Sulfate&_sacat=0&_odkw=Sodium+Lauryl+Ether+Sulfate&_osacat=0&_from=R40" target="_blank">found on eBay</a>, <a href="http://www.essentialwholesale.com/Sodium-Laureth-Sulfate-SLES" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.soapgoods.com/Sodium-Lauryl-Ether-Sulfate-SLES-p-1266.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </li>
<li>Ajax dish soap - Grocery store. Any dish soap will do. Some have recommended Dawn. </li>
<li>Shampoo - tried it, but would not recommend. Too many other ingredients in it. </li>
</ul>
<p><br/> So what are these items/what do they do?</p>
<ul>
<li>Epsom salt - changes (increases) the density of the water </li>
<li>Canning (or pickling) salt - changes (increases) the density of the water </li>
<li>Glycerin - Changes the way the wax acts. </li>
<li>Propylene Glycol (50/50 mixture of PG and water) - not sure yet. Will update later. </li>
<li>Miracle Bubbles - acts as a surfactant</li>
<li>Sodium Laureth Sulfate (also known as Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) - acts as a surfactant</li>
<li>Ajax dish soap - acts as a surfactant</li>
<li>Shampoo - acts as a surfactant</li>
</ul>
<p><br/><em>Per Kaia: </em></p>
<p><em>Polypropylene Glycol and Glycerine do exactly the same as salt (alter the density of the water) but without the risk of the coil/gauze rusting. Glycerine is far more concentrated and you will need a lot less mixed with water than PG to achieve the same effect.</em></p>
<p><em>Some older Crestworth (and others probably) lamps used pure water, which is why people get varying results with additives.</em></p>
<p><br/> So, what's a surfactant (also known as "surf")? "<span>A substance that tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved." Also, you can <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant" target="_blank">read the Wikipedia entry on it</a>. From what I can tell, the surfactant is what breaks up the wax and causes it to "snake". When you first add it, you'll see the lava do some weird stuff and then normal out a little bit. Always add surf drop-by-drop with an eye dropper or something similar. </span></p>
<p><span><br/></span></p>
<p>Why canning (or picking)/Epsom salts? Regular salt can and will cloud the water. </p>
<p></p>
<p>When experimenting, only add one ingredient at a time. If you add two and you like what happens, you won't know which ingredient worked. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So, how to start? When the lamp is cold and the wax is solid, dump out all the liquid. It's going to stink, so be prepared. The liquid takes on a petroleum smell and your new liquid will do the same once it's been flowing. Be careful not to bump the wax around too much. If possible, you can empty out 99% of the liquid and replace with new stuff; that way, the wax is surrounded by a thin layer of original fluid and hopefully, shouldn't stick. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Pour in new water, slowly. I'd recommend cold or lukewarm. Then, turn on the lamp. You'll see air bubbles in the liquid and on the wax - this is normal. </p>
<p><br/> Once the wax has melted, this is where the experimentation comes in.</p>
<p><br/> I have replaced the liquid in two late 60s model lamps and each one has been a little different. I tried a bazillion things, but here's what worked for each one. It should be noted that both of these globes have what I call <a href="http://oozinggoo.ning.com/photo/century-wax-levels" target="_self">"low wax" (see here for pic)</a> - something that is common (and normal) for late 60s lava lamps. All it means is that less wax was used during production. These lamps will run on a 30W flood bulb instead of a 40W appliance bulb. I believe the entire formula for these lamps may be different than 70s lamps. Not sure. </p>
<p><br/> 1) <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>My green/red Century</strong></span>: I must've tried everything with this lamp. At least six different attempts were made. I had wax sticking at first, but it resolved itself. Once the lava wax melted and started to "dome", I added some epsom salts (pre-mixed with warm water at a ratio of 4:1 water to salt), a few drops at a time until the lava separated and flowed to the top. Be careful about adding too much salt mixture - when I did, the lava separated from the coil entirely and caused problems. So just add enough that the lava separates and flows to the top. Once it did that, I added a drop or two of plain old dish soap and the wax did all kinds of funky stuff. Don't add too much dish soap - just a drop at time. You won't need more than a few drops. </p>
<p></p>
<p>The lamp doesn't "normalize" until you've run it a few times. So try something, run it for an evening and then see if you like it. Also, I did my salt first, then dish soap. Each time I added my chosen surfactant (dish soap / Miracle Bubbles / SLES) the wax got pretty bubbly/foamy-looking.</p>
<p><br/> As the lamp continues to cycle, this has lessened. As of yet, I don't know a way to prevent this. <br/> <br/> This is what I ended up with (happy with the turnout):</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036777155?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036777155?profile=original" width="310" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>2) <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>My yellow/orange Squiggle Aristocrat</strong></span>. This one has been interesting. This one required no salt, just some SLES and it flows almost perfectly. I have no idea why, but I'm happy. Could it be possible that this one was different because I used tap water instead of distilled? Not sure. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036797484?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3036797484?profile=original" width="318" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><br/> The unknowns:</p>
<ul>
<li>I don't know what propylene glycol does (someone here recommended it)</li>
<li>I don't know what glycerin does (someone here recommended it)</li>
<li>I don't know if there is any kind of surf that will not cause the wax to get foamy looking (it does seem to clear up though)</li>
<li>I don't have a good way of unsticking the wax from the globe if it happens, though luckily, both lamps have rid themselves of this problem with several cycles. </li>
</ul>
<p><br/> So, the simple version? Salt-water mixture and SLES/Miracle Bubbles restores lamps! Well, the liquid anyway. ;)</p>