| Caring For Stained Glass |
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Small items (most suncatchers) can be hung up with a heavy duty suction cup, however, you should frequently check that the seal is tight. Sunlight can cause this type of suction cup to “pop” off the glass. It is not my recommendation to utilize this method of hanging unless the item is small. Stained glass shops carry suction cups purchased through a stained glass supplier that are able to hold up to 7 lbs. Some specialty kitchen/bath stores sell a “world’s best suction cup”. It has a lever style suction seal to it and is reputed to be fail safe. I have also seen this type of suction cup in hardware stores as well. This would be a better solution for the small items. Larger items require sturdier treatment. The best way to hang your stained glass piece is by purchasing an “O – ring” or “eyelet” from a hardware store. This is a round (O shape) top with a screw base to it. The “O-ring” is screwed into your window frame and the piece is hung from it with chain or heavy strength fishing line. If you use fishing line, the line should be replaced at least annually (more frequently if in direct sunlight). Fishing line does deteriorate over time. If your stained glass treasure was created at the Glass Gal Studio, it has been polished with a cream finishing compound. Over time, and due to sunlight, it may take on a “hazy” look or you just want to dust your piece. It only requires buffing with a soft dry cloth to return it to it’s original shine. Should this not be the case, any liquid cream furniture polish should do the trick. Put the polish on with a dry cloth, let it sit for a minute and buff with a soft dry cloth. I don’t recommend this being done any more than annually. Garden stakes created by the Glass Gal Studio have also been polished with a cream finishing compound, however, as they are outside and due to weather/air quality, the solder lines will take on a “patina”. Rain will remove the finishing compound over time as well. You can re-polish your piece as shown in the paragraph above or let your piece “mellow” with age. It is NOT recommended that these stakes be left outside over the winter. Ensure that you store carefully so that your piece remains intact for next season. Patio stones created at the Glass Gal Studio have been sealed against the weather. They do NOT have a finish compound and only require a wipe to remove surface dirt etc. It is NOT recommended that you leave the stones outside in the winter. Severe cold could cause glass to crack over time. Glass pieces will NOT “pop” out of your stone, however, so even if glass cracks you will still get much enjoyment out of your piece. Should your piece be a mirror and you want to clean the mirror, spray your window cleaner on the cloth and try to avoid the outlining solder around the mirror portion. If possible, using water would be a better solution. The stained glass border on your mirror, if created by the Glass Gal Studio should be buffed with a dry soft cloth as per usual. NEVER CLEAN YOUR STAINED GLASS ITEM WITH ANY KIND OF CHEMICAL (ie: Windex, vinegar, pledge etc.) Chemicals in cleaning products will react with the lead solder and ruin the look of your piece. Should you have any questions about your stained glass treasure - contact The Glass Gal (Gale Connor) @ 519-842-6796 OR use the Contact Us link from this web-site |
