PBW & the Chemistry of Clean

MinnBobber · Jun 24, 2015

Almost like @Ratchett but :

- I mix my PBW solution in a glass 2 cup measuring cup so I can totally dissolve it before pouring into bubbler.
- I put that solution in the microwave to get it hotter than your hottest tap water. It seems to clean better.
- I measure by sight but use way less than 1 teaspoon, maybe 1/2 teaspoon??

Err on the side of too little as too much and/ or too long sitting in your piece and it can leave white stain marks.

Ratchett sells nice silicone plugs in his store--- so you can totally fill with solution/ leave no waterline, as that waterline line is where a stain can form.

Edit---I even use distilled water for cleaning and rinsing but this is probably not necessary.
It doesn't take all that much water..

Frederick McGuire · Jun 24, 2015

Just to add - I usually do a quick shake with water + dishwashing liquid after rinsing out all the PBW.
It gives me peace of mind that I've definitely gotten all the PBW out, and makes the glass look that little bit more sparkly

wildything · Aug 1, 2015

Pbw question: just got this pbw off ebay and I came in a bag instead of the pictured tub. But so I tried to use It to clean my brand new dhgate glass and I use only a little pinch but it stuck to the glass inside and I couldn't seem to get it out after risnting forever. Any suggestions please?

ataxian · Aug 1, 2015

wildything said:
Pbw question: just got this pbw off ebay and I came in a bag instead of the pictured tub. But so I tried to use It to clean my brand new dhgate glass and I use only a little pinch but it stuck to the glass inside and I couldn't seem to get it out after risnting forever. Any suggestions please?

Mine came in a bag from ebay as well.

I have 30 or more pieces from dhgate and never have had streaks?

98F to rinse
98f after clean

table spoon per piece

t-dub · Aug 1, 2015

wildything said:
I use only a little pinch but it stuck to the glass inside and I couldn't seem to get it out

You will need to flush that glass under pressure, or find a way to mechanically wipe it away, if some PBW actually stuck to the inside. Try making a flush device using a rubber stopper and a piece of tubing. Get that stuff out of there quickly. The longer you let that dwell the more likely it is to stain.

Thread here: http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/hydratube-flush-device.7263/

---

MinnBobber · Aug 1, 2015

wildything said:
I use only a little pinch but it stuck to the glass inside and I couldn't seem to get it out after risnting forever. Any suggestions please?

..............................................................................
@wildything did you mix the PBW/ water INSIDE the glass piece OR mix it thoroughly externally in a container and THEN add the dissolved mixture to the glass piece?

I find that PBW stains occur when there are undissolved granules of PBW. I always mix thoroughly externally, using very very very hot water to dissolve it, then let it cool down to just very hot water and then pour into piece. I preheat the piece with hot tap water so PBW mix does not shock the glass.

The PBW mixture I pour in is hotter than my hot tap water.

olivianewtonjohn · Aug 1, 2015

I always put PBW in the glass then run hot water in and let it sit. Only times I have had an issue like @wildything is when I put too much. But it never was that big of an issue. Try putting in warm water and shaking it. Or alcohol and salt as a work up step. I personally still use ISO+salt if first round of PBW doesnt work.

wildything · Aug 1, 2015

MinnBobber said:
..............................................................................
@wildything did you mix the PBW/ water INSIDE the glass piece OR mix it thoroughly externally in a container and THEN add the dissolved mixture to the glass piece?

I find that PBW stains occur when there are undissolved granules of PBW. I always mix thoroughly externally, using very very very hot water to dissolve it, then let it cool down to just very hot water and then pour into piece. I preheat the piece with hot tap water so PBW mix does not shock the glass.

The PBW mixture I pour in is hotter than my hot tap water.

Thanks for the tips and @t-dub I didn't realize that pressure was so important as I regularly clean my glass by holding it up to the faucet. But yes I dumped it in, actually about a teaspoon probably, it didn't dissolve right after about 10 minutes so I emptied it at that point. Then I rinsed for a while saw, the spots of stains. I then put in a pinch of pbw to try to dissolve it in a weaker solution but I still had trouble dissolving I think so it helped but didn't get it all out and probly made more hahaha. Then tried alcohol and sg so after about 30 minutes most was out except a few spots but if I look closely I can see very small pieces stuck to the glass. Unfortunately I can't seem to make a make shift pressure hose rig due to no supplies. I regret not making one now but its only my own fault haha. I'll try to make a good weak solution externally and if I am successfully at that I will probably attemp another pbw wash. I may even just submerge it in a tub. I'll try to get pics up. I may be overexaggering how bad it is. But how long does it take for pbw to fully dissolve?

MinnBobber · Aug 1, 2015

wildything said:
But how long does it take for pbw to fully dissolve?

It is very temperature sensitive. When I heat up distilled water in the microwave, PBW dissolves in a few seconds. I keep stirring stirring stirring as it cools down to a 125F range temp . I then dump the plain hot water from the piece and pour in the hot PBW mix.
Note that the hotter PBW mix cleans better / faster than a warm PBW mix.

I let it soak COMPLETELY FULL of MIX for under 10 minutes, then dump a little amount so I can shake the piece/ agitate the mix. Dump and rinse about 3 times with warm distilled water ---just add a little and shake shake shake. If not completely FULL, it can leave a water mark where the water ends.

@Ratchett "SLUGS" (silicone plugs) let you plug both ends of piece to completely fill.

t-dub · Aug 1, 2015

wildything said:
Then I rinsed for a while saw, the spots of stains.

If we are just talking white stain from using too high a concentartion and not actual undissolved PBW you might try some CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust). People have reported success in this thread with it.

wildything · Aug 2, 2015

t-dub said:
If we are just talking white stain from using too high a concentartion and not actual undissolved PBW you might try some CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust). People have reported success in this thread with it.

Ok yea I remember clr now haha gota look for that. But I have undissolved microscopic pbw particles stuck to the glass. I did dissolve it in an external container and did another pbw rinse but it didn't reabsorb the pbw particles on the glass but I can mechanical wipe them off.

SavageCore · Aug 4, 2015

MinnBobber said:
It is very temperature sensitive. When I heat up distilled water in the microwave, PBW dissolves in a few seconds. I keep stirring stirring stirring as it cools down to a 125F range temp . I then dump the plain hot water from the piece and pour in the hot PBW mix.
Note that the hotter PBW mix cleans better / faster than a warm PBW mix.

I let it soak COMPLETELY FULL of MIX for under 10 minutes, then dump a little amount so I can shake the piece/ agitate the mix. Dump and rinse about 3 times with warm distilled water ---just add a little and shake shake shake. If not completely FULL, it can leave a water mark where the water ends.

@Ratchett "SLUGS" (silicone plugs) let you plug both ends of piece to completely fill.

Do you fill from the joint with the mouthpiece plugged to totally fill?

MinnBobber · Aug 4, 2015

SavageCore said:
Do you fill from the joint with the mouthpiece plugged to totally fill?

I fill the can first, plug that hole and then fill the mouthpiece to the top and plug.
Different piece have different shapes and it takes some experimenting, filling thru a combination of both
holes to get out all the air pockets

SavageCore · Aug 5, 2015

MinnBobber said:
I fill the can first, plug that hole and then fill the mouthpiece to the top and plug.
Different piece have different shapes and it takes some experimenting, filling thru a combination of both
holes to get out all the air pockets

I ended up getting 99% of the main chamber full and the mouthpiece and it came out sparklingly like new. Awesome. I had old beer bottles that I was collecting nearby not thoroughly washed enough and thus had yeast build up in water and stains on glass, PBW took care of it no problem. I had tried an 8 hour soak in iso, salt and shake, the usual but wouldn't touch it.

Chandlerson · Aug 7, 2015

Just stopping bytosay PBW ROCKS!!been using it for close to a year now onmy glass,various screens and such, bathroom,shower,kitchen,stovetop ,dishwasher. This stuff is the bomb .just don't drop your grinder in a batch. I made that mistake and pulled it before it was too late. Rubbed a small amount of the black off my SCS but it still works like a charm

hweezi · Aug 8, 2015

So i've been reading more and more into PBW and im very interested. Right now I've got these annoying little specs where I fill my water. I'm assuming and hoping its just hard water build up, will PBW get completely rid of these?

Kief · Aug 8, 2015

cwheezy said:
So i've been reading more and more into PBW and im very interested. Right now I've got these annoying little specs where I fill my water. I'm assuming and hoping its just hard water build up, will PBW get completely rid of these?

If it is just hard water stains, you should try soaking with Vinegar or Citric Acid. IME, those two options have worked better than any product that was marketed for the task.

John Lewus · Aug 9, 2015

I used some PBW on an old coffee pot and HOLY SHIZA it got clean! The inside was way cleaner and more sparkling than the outside. This stuff still amazes me.

1DMF · Oct 2, 2015

Hi,

I was recommend getting some PBW to clean my stems and other glassware instead of using ISO.

My 450g has just turned up and the warning on the packet is a little worrying...

"Causes severe skin burn and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; May be corrosive to metals"

hmm, this is meant to be the 'safe' alternative to ISO?

How do you all use PBW?
Do you wear gloves?
Eye protection?
Face mask?
Open all windows?

Advice is appreciated.

Pyr0 · Oct 2, 2015

I've used it minus gloves, eye protection, open windows etc.
It is an alkali and when wet it feels soapy between fingers, so don't leave it on skin for prolonged periods.

According to their information, it should be fairly safe to handle and non corrosive
http://www.fivestarchemicals.com/wp-content/uploads/PBWTech.pdf

just be sensible with it and make sure to rinse it off properly

Mangled Alaskan · Oct 2, 2015

1DMF said:
Hi,

I was recommend getting some PBW to clean my stems and other glassware instead of using ISO.

My 450g has just turned up and the warning on the packet is a little worrying...

"Causes severe skin burn and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; May be corrosive to metals"

hmm, this is meant to be the 'safe' alternative to ISO?

How do you all use PBW?
Do you wear gloves?
Eye protection?
Face mask?
Open all windows?

Advice is appreciated.

I just got my 1 LB tub and am looking forward to replies to your questions. I get this isn't Methyl Ethyl Death but still...

Thanks!

l

Enchantre · Oct 2, 2015

1DMF said:
Hi,

I was recommend getting some PBW to clean my stems and other glassware instead of using ISO.

My 450g has just turned up and the warning on the packet is a little worrying...

"Causes severe skin burn and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; May be corrosive to metals"

hmm, this is meant to be the 'safe' alternative to ISO?

How do you all use PBW?
Do you wear gloves?
Eye protection?
Face mask?
Open all windows?

Advice is appreciated.

Don't bathe in it.

Read the thread for usage instructions. First few pages will answer 99% of questions.

Beware the slippery.

ataxian · Oct 3, 2015

Enchantre said:
Don't bathe in it.

Read the thread for usage instructions. First few pages will answer 99% of questions.

Beware the slippery.

I just cleaned a special WATER piece and GonG' s OK SOLO STEM' s as well!

3 years ago I got 450grams their is enough PBW for one more year!

1 leave one piece out and the rest are stored.

I was cleaning 5 pieces a week.
Now just one however stems and GonG' s every week!

Clean glass is so important!

Quetzalcoatl · Oct 5, 2015

1DMF said:
Hi,

I was recommend getting some PBW to clean my stems and other glassware instead of using ISO.

My 450g has just turned up and the warning on the packet is a little worrying...

"Causes severe skin burn and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; May be corrosive to metals"

hmm, this is meant to be the 'safe' alternative to ISO?

How do you all use PBW?
Do you wear gloves?
Eye protection?
Face mask?
Open all windows?

Advice is appreciated.

I might get some side looks but I actually don't wear gloves when I clean with ISO (99%) or PBW. Or long sleeves. Or a mask. Or eye protection. I just make sure to wash my hands with soap after I'm done washing my glass. Moisturizing after is not a bad idea although I suspect this may be the case for me more due to a condition I have messing with my skin a bit. Be careful though because this stuff does make glass feel "slippery" and you don't want accidents (a good case for gloves I guess?). Don't stick your nose into it like Tony Montana. And don't get it in your eyes... It has an interesting smell though (nothing bad has happened to me yet I don't think [although @OF would argue otherwise...]) Make sure to wash before using glass again. On a mild tangent I know at least a few people in the thread use it in their dishwashers too, and I've used it both for all my glass vaporizing stuff as well as to clean some glass carboys. As for "corrosive to metals" yeah if you read through the thread you'll see it eats the anodizing off of grinders, so that's a no-go. I haven't ever felt any sort of chemical burn on my hands when using it, and I've gotten pretty messy with it accidentally a few times. :2c:

1DMF · Oct 5, 2015

Well to try it out I put a stock solo straight stem in an ice cream tub filled with hot water and two tea spoons of PBW. swilled it around a little and then left overnight.

The next day, all the gunk had floated off and the glass was as good as new.

No gloves were worn, no windows opened and I simply tipped the waste water down the sink and rinsed the stem.

I've now got to soak my bong in it to see how well it cleans that, but so far, very impressed.

PBW & the Chemistry of Clean

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