Removing mirror finish from bead
 

I have some plain glass 'gem' beads that have a rainbow/mirror finish on
them. Cheap beads really, but I was wondering how to remove the rainbow
finish off the beads. I saw a project in the Michaels Project book to make
magnets with decoupage (sp?). I wanted to use these beads because they are
really a nice size but you can't see through the rainbow finish very well.

Thanks so much everyone!

Wendy
real email is maeven68 at bellsouth DOT net

I have some plain glass 'gem' beads that have a rainbow/mirror finish on
them. Cheap beads really, but I was wondering how to remove the rainbow
finish off the beads. I saw a project in the Michaels Project book to make
magnets with decoupage (sp?). I wanted to use these beads because they are
really a nice size but you can't see through the rainbow finish very well.

Wendy, my advice would be to buy some more beads in the same size/shape.
You're stuck with that finish unless you sandblast them, etch them, or
something equally laborious (and/or expensive). It's not worth the effort (or
expense) when there are so many beads out there, waiting for a good home.
~~
Sooz

I wouldn't try to remove the finish you may end up with something worse then
what you started with. Buy some new beads to use in the project.
Roxan
"Wendy" wrote in message
...
I have some plain glass 'gem' beads that have a rainbow/mirror finish on
them. Cheap beads really, but I was wondering how to remove the rainbow
finish off the beads. I saw a project in the Michaels Project book to
make
magnets with decoupage (sp?). I wanted to use these beads because they
are
really a nice size but you can't see through the rainbow finish very well.

Thanks so much everyone!

Wendy
real email is maeven68 at bellsouth DOT net

It is probably made from a heavy-metal bearing glass that was subjected
to an oxygen-deprived environment (reduced) while still hot enough for
the metals to come to the surface and leave a semi-permanent luster. Try
soaking it overnight in Coke (regular, not diet) and see if that removes it.

-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay


Wendy wrote:
I have some plain glass 'gem' beads that have a rainbow/mirror finish on
them. Cheap beads really, but I was wondering how to remove the rainbow
finish off the beads. I saw a project in the Michaels Project book to make
magnets with decoupage (sp?). I wanted to use these beads because they are
really a nice size but you can't see through the rainbow finish very well.

Thanks so much everyone!

Wendy
real email is maeven68 at bellsouth DOT net