Cleaning Glass Insulators

Recently on the hunt for supplies to use in my Steampunk art, I ran across a man who began collecting glass insulators 60 years ago.  He had over one hundred insulators. He labeled most of them with the year he found it and what railroad it was associated with. One example (picture) was an insulator from the C N&W, Green Petticoat Insulator from 11/29/68 that he found in Omaha.  Not surprisingly, most of the insulators I find are covered in years and years of soot. Once back in my shop, the first thing I need to do is clean them. I have discovered using a cleaner you can find in most kitchens works best. I use Bar Keepers Friend powder and soft cleanser.  In the video below I walk you through the steps I take to clean pieces of the past so I can use them to light the future.

Supplies:

Water

Bar Keepers Friend

https://www.barkeepersfriend.com/

https://tinyurl.com/qm5q7p7

https://tinyurl.com/vwvv7hy

Toothbrush

Steel brush

steel wool

Brillo pad


 


cleaning still shot date.jpg