Tekta not so clear...

[smallbitz]

I was generously given a load of Tekta by someone, and have used it in several projects. I have noticed that when I use it as a main component (as in a plate w/PB inclusions), it does not seem very clear. I don't use thinfire, just a kiln washed shelf. Is that just what Tekta does? Haven't used it much in the past. Am I better off using regular BE clear when that is the main component of a plate or other project? Would appreciate any advice!

[Marty]

What are you cleaning it with?

[smallbitz]

A little dawn and water. Rinse well. Then a good wipe with alcohol right before it goes into kiln. Same as I have always done.

[Michele gh]

In my experience, Tekta Crystal Clear occasionally fogs up on firing. I don't know why, and it seems to happen intermittently, in about one in six firings. I sent samples to Bullseye, and it was never resolved. I have been using Uroboros' 90COE Clear Machine Rolled, and the results have been consistently clear.

[Valerie Adams]

Tekta HATES Thinfire! Even TF residue in your kiln is enough to fog Tekta.

My best solution has been to eliminate TF, clean the Tekta with a brand-new clean towel (washed without fabric softener, of course), and the buff dry with a paper towel.

It's a pain in the ass and originally I was mad that I'd purchased an entire case of Tekta after I'd used up my case of Uro Machine Rolled. But in side-by-side tests, I've learned that the textured side of Tekta gives consistently smoother results in clear-capped pieces. That was surprising to me, since the Uro is so smooth, but the texture of Tekta allows air to escape.

[smallbitz]

Thanks, Valerie. So do you think hoovering my kiln really well is enough to get out the thinfire residue? I've been trying to switch over to just BE kiln wash, but thinfire is SUCH a timesaver! I have NOT used any TF with the Tekta, so I suppose I must have some residue, or perhaps not cleaned the glass as well as I thought I did. I have quite a lot of the Tekta, and sure want to use it!

Curious; what do you use to clean your glass with?

[Valerie Adams]

Thanks, Valerie. So do you think hoovering my kiln really well is enough to get out the thinfire residue? I've been trying to switch over to just BE kiln wash, but thinfire is SUCH a timesaver! I have NOT used any TF with the Tekta, so I suppose I must have some residue, or perhaps not cleaned the glass as well as I thought I did. I have quite a lot of the Tekta, and sure want to use it!

Curious; what do you use to clean your glass with?

When I started having trouble with the Tekta (as soon as I started using it!) Bullseye sent me their Spartan cleaner, which I use once in awhile. But my regular go-to cleaner is Sprayway glass cleaner, which I buy by the case from Ace Hardware. It's available at Target and even grocery stores now (they also make an amazing Stainless Steel cleaner!).

I would think a good vacuuming should take care of the TF residue; that's all I did. I still use TF now and then for some things, so I vacuum really well afterwards and will do a firing or two where I'm not using Tekta as my top layer.

My belief is that Thinfire is the biggest culprit, since I only had Tekta hazing sometimes, and I only use TF sometimes. The second thing is that I think it takes a lot more effort to properly clean Tekta; it's just a 'pickier' glass, in my opinion.

[smallbitz]

Many thanks for your quick and wonderful advice. I use the Sprayway for some stainless in my house! I'll try the one for glass and make sure that I vacuum out the kiln quite well. Really want to use that Tekta!!

[Bert Weiss]

My cleaning approach is to use Glass Plus from the grocery store. It is an alcohol based cleaner. I find that it evaporates a lot faster than the Spartan that you mix with distilled water. I prefer Bounty paper towels in 5.5" wide sheets. There are also Bounty Identical towels. The clue is that the embossing patterns are the same, just the wrapping is different.

[smallbitz]

I already have Glass Plus, so I may give that a try first. I do have a question for both you, Bert, and Valerie; Is the glass cleaner the only cleaning that you do to your glass? As I read both of your posts, that is the impression that I get. Just want to make sure I don't wash it and then use the cleaner if it's not necessary. Again, thanks very much!

[Bert Weiss]

I already have Glass Plus, so I may give that a try first. I do have a question for both you, Bert, and Valerie; Is the glass cleaner the only cleaning that you do to your glass? As I read both of your posts, that is the impression that I get. Just want to make sure I don't wash it and then use the cleaner if it's not necessary. Again, thanks very much!

My cleaning regime uses as little glass cleaner as I need. The real cleaning is done with a slightly damp towel, at the very end. I have learned how to see schmutz on the glass surface. Sometimes you miss stuff.

[Valerie Adams]

The only thing I do is clean with Sprayway and then buff dry.

[Judith Andre]

I have had trouble with "tire tracks" ( roller marks) with Tekta that don't show up until you fuse it over a dark color. I don't plan to buy it again after my supply is gone.

[katesaunders]

I sometimes get little (really little) pieces of what I think is rust in my Tekta, causes imperfections when it shows up. Probably from the rollers when it's made.

[Havi]

I sometimes get little (really little) pieces of what I think is rust in my Tekta, causes imperfections when it shows up. Probably from the rollers when it's made.

As far as I can remember , this had already been mentioned here. But I do not remember what was said...