I cleaned my Mathmos from debris and made a video to show the process

[Makstuff]

https://youtu.be/TON_QcA0QsY

I finally tried to clean out the black flakes in my Mathmos Astros, and it worked quite well. Since I wasn't able to find much info on how to do this, I made a video to hopefully help others with the same problem (seems to be pretty common).

Maybe a few of you have already seen this in the lavalamps subreddit a few days ago, just wanted to post it here too since people looking for it might end up here.

Also, if someone here knows an even better method or has some tips how it could be improved, I'd love to hear about it.

[ImMelting]

Hi Makstuff,

My Astro had the same problem when I got it a while back. my fix was very similar to yours but with a few differences.

I used a pantyhose as a filter. I washed the bottle and springs before putting everything back together and also used a hose so the liquids flow gently to the bottom of the bottle without splashing inside.

You can check my process here: http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/mathmos-astro-dirty-wax?comm...

[Makstuff]

Thanks! Before the video, I was searching this forum for a post exactly like this, but for some reason didn't find it.

Pantyhose is pretty clever actually, didn't think of this. I'm guessing a pantyhose is even finer than my funnel filter, so even more surprising everything goes through.

For the bottle in the video the splashing without a hose was fine, but for the other one I didn't wait quite long enough for the wax to solidify, and it caused part of it to break into fine crumbles. Was pretty worried already, but after switching it on everything came together perfectly, and after 15 minutes the lamp was perfectly clear again.

I'll link your post in my video description if you don't mind, so people who want more information have a second source.

[The Lamp Caretaker]

Very informative video for those who have these flake issues.  I don't own many Mathmos lamps because I never felt they had the kind of lava flow LavaLite brand gives.  If I ever do have one with this issue I will definitely be using your technique.  I would have used a blow dryer or heat gun to melt off the remaining wax that was left on the filter so I'm getting as much of the original formula as possible.  I would not recommend adding anything but original fluids to replace missing fluid.  Thanks for posting.  

[Makstuff]

Blow dryer is a great idea, especially for the pantyhose where it seems a bit more got stuck (on my filter it was almost nothing anyway).

Adding only original fluid sounds nice in theory, but from what I've found Mathmos is pretty secretive about what it actually is. Guess they want to maximize their profit by only selling full bottles for almost the same price as a new lamp. Anyway, the distilled water produced a few shimmers at the start, but after turning it over two times everything was well mixed and just as clear as before, so I guess it's fine.

[Lava_Head_UK]

Great video thanks, however If Mathmos was on top of quality control we wouldn’t have to do this, I cannot believe how standards have nose dived recently, it is such a shame, I am so tempted to start posting the photos & videos of all the faulty bottles I have had over the last 15 months on here despite being asked not too!! 

[Makstuff]

They ASKED YOU NOT TO POST THEM?! Damn, that's bold. I mean if this problem were an extreme exception and they would fix it immediately, guess it would be kinda agreeable. Too bad the situation seems to be the exact opposite.

If you have a larger number of Mathmos bottles, you're probably the one to ask: Which percentage would you say approximately has the debris problem?

[john]

look like dye to me i had the same on alot bottle just give them a good run as opening the bottles will void your 2 year manufacting to return. if not happy they easy swap if you contact them well in the uk they been very helpful with bad bottles for me.

[Susan]

It's not just us then, I'm talking pre-pandemic. When we purchased items back in the 1990's they were always spot on, we've had various issues with products since, it's such a shame. 

Lava_Head_UK said:

Great video thanks, however If Mathmos was on top of quality control we wouldn’t have to do this, I cannot believe how standards have nose dived recently, it is such a shame, I am so tempted to start posting the photos & videos of all the faulty bottles I have had over the last 15 months on here despite being asked not too!!