AboutH Carl Trimble III Expertise One of a kind custom design stained glass as well as other glass art methods and the restoration of stained glass. Inquiries regarding leaded, beveled, etched sand carved, and fused glass techniques are invited. Other methods, technical questions,history of the art and supply source inquiries also welcome. Information on the pro's and con's of protective glazing of stained glass windows. Visit www.TrimbleStudios.com for more complete information.
Experience Over forty years experience in a wide range of techniques that include "stained glass", wood working and metal fabrication. Have worked from my own full service studio since 1977. Many major residential, commercial and religious installations from Charlottesville, Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia to San Diego California as well as much of the State of Texas
Organizations Professional Affiliate,Certified Trainer, and Preferred Provider for the American Institute of Architects, AIA, Dallas, Texas. I have served on the Board of Directors of both the Texas Fine Arts Association and the Texas Visual Arts Association
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Fine Arts, The University of Texas, Tyler. Master of Fine Arts, The University of North Texas, Denton. Just a few hours short of a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Awards and Honors Many first place and best of show awards in both stained glass and fine arts competitions. Steady commission work for the past ten years has obviated any recent competitive activity.
Past/Present Clients Most recent major commissions are for American Airlines CR Smith Museum; JFK Airport Terminal 8 stained glass; TXU Energy Plaza Thor stained glass. The Mansion at Turtle Creek, Dallas and and St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Terrell, Texas
Question Hi Carl - I'm wondering if glass cleaner that is ammonia free and vinegar free would work as a flux cleaner. I'm trying to find something cheaper than the products specifically made for that purpose. In a class I took, the instructor used a common glass cleaner (with ammonia), followed by a wipe with 91% isopropyl alcohol. I'm thinking that the glass cleaner without ammonia might work, but am asking the expert!
Answer Claudia,
If you are using lead came, the solvents in your putty should remove the flux residue.
If you are doing copper foil work, the flux is usually not an acid, but a chemically base material such as zinc chloride. To neutralize and remove it, I would use a mild solution of vinegar and soapy water. Otherwise, I have simply squirted something like Dawn or other liquid dish soap onto the panel. I also sprinkle baking soda on the glass as I scrub it with a small tampico bristled brush. A fingernail brush of this material works great.
The baking soda becomes a "surfactant" which breaks the surface tension of the flux residue and enhances the effect of the soap. Rinse and then dry your panel thoroughly. You might also apply your patina before washing since most patinas have an acid component. The baking soda is a chemical "base" and will neutralize the acidity.
As far as ammonia is concerned, avoid it. Vinegar should pose no problem. I don't know of a cleaner without either of these two, but if you have it, try it and see what happens. That's the element of how we grow in the knowledge of our honored craft and art form.
