what makes glass change color

[Stizz1e]

I know that glass gets precious metals blown into it and they change colors, but what causes the metal to actually change color? Is it the heat from the smoke or is it the resin?

 

[StonerGrower]

Wow...I have no idea. Im pretty sure its the resin build up, cause once you clean the pipe it goes back to normal again.

 

[Ms. RedEye]

The precious metals reflect light that appears to change the color of the glass. Resin buildup pronounces this effect.

 

[Stizz1e]

is there any way to speed the coloring process?

 

[StonerGrower]

Smoke alot more weed.

 

[Stizz1e]

haha, i figured some one would say that. +reps for being the first

 

[StonerGrower]

It makes sense though right? It must be done...Clean glass is nice, but if its clean then you know you dont smoke enough weed.

 

[Stizz1e]

this is very true. I brought this up because i have a bong that i bought about a month ago, and it doesnt seem to be changing all that quickly...and I smoke about an 1/8 a week out of that thing alone.

 

[StonerGrower]

Glass bongs are different. Alot of glass bongs are colored yes...But they are not fumed with gold or silver. They will look just the same with no color changing. There are alot of cool gold or silver fumed glass bongs out there though...

 

[Stizz1e]

this is the bong in question:

i mean it seems like it will change, but its very slow.

 

[StonerGrower]

Nice bong man..Looks good even if it dont change. It does look like it has some fuming though.

 

[Stizz1e]

thanks for the compliments. Thats what i thought too, but its just sooo slow to change compared to everything else i have. I'm kind of OCD like that though, I like to use a piece until its fully colored then retire it, so i can appreciate the beauty of the work.

 

[StonerGrower]

Unfortunatley I dont think its gonna color up any more other then those few blue parts. The areas that arent fumed will just turn black and nasty from the residue.

 

[Stizz1e]

blah. i hate the way clear glass looks all black and nasty like that. guess its time to get some formula 420

 

[Johnny]

I really like the bong! It definitely seems to be fumed.

Instead of buying Formula 420, rinse it with isopropyl alcohol mixed with salt, stizz1le. It works like a charm and saves you a lot of money. Those head shop sold cleaners can get pretty expensive.

 

[Stizz1e]

thanks for the advise and the kind words, I should have thought of rubbing alcohol...I've cleaned pieces with it before, just slipped my mind i suppose...stoner moment

 

[Mary420juana]

i too like color changing smoking devices I once made the mistake of "scraping" the resin off the side of a beautiful color changing pipe and the color never came back.. since then I ALWAYS use a solution to clean my color changers.

 

[TimJ]

to color glass is quit simple...
One process for color in a bong let say...
I have a bong that is already formed and so I place it into a glass lathe securely.
I would turn the glass bong until it came up to temp....Orange hot..
Then I would take a small stick of cain glass which is a glass stick 1/8 in. by 8in.
Then I take and heat the end of the cain and stick a small piece of gold to the end...
Now I will turn up my torch and heat the end were the gold drop is, and pointing it at the glass bong that too is up to temp. I will then be blowing gold vapor over the bong and the bongs color will be a lovely red or pinkish color at this point....
Now it will scratch off if it is not sealed with a coat of pure silica.. same thing but no gold....
Oh and clean those nasty pipes....No one needs a lung infection....