I finally realised what was making the nasty black specks on my beads - it was a really yukky graphite marver, all sorts of marks and scabs on it. I'm hoping it was also what was causing lots of scummy marks on the surface of my transparents as well.
Sooo.... instead of waiting and asking you lot what I should clean it up with, I just went ahead and scrubbed at it with a bit of wire wool until it shone silvery, then rinsed with water and dried carefully.
Did I do the right thing or am I going to get more "interesting" marks than ever? Should I have been cleaning it regularly?
Thanks for your advice...
Erm, I don't really know, but I think you may just have been rubbing away the graphite ~ it's really very soft ???
You do need to clean them - though I am not sure about wire wool ??? I just do mine with glass cleaner and kitchen roll each time I clean the surfaces etc.
Kaz
Never heard of using wire wool to clean graphite. I have used rods/paddles etc.. and found rubbing with brown paper works. You need a smooth clean surface on graphite. Wire wool would just leave scratches surely?
Ian
Hi Helen - if you use a wire scrubbie or wire wool the graphite will eventually wear out. I ordered a graphite optic mould recently and was advised to wash it with warm water and mild detergent (I used Fairy Liquid) and dry with a soft cloth.
Diane x
Erm ... are you meant to clean your marver then?
:-[
Mine had dints in, and I used fine sandpaper to smooth it back down, so the wire wool on your marver is not such a daft idea, as long as you don't do it too often! Usually I just use a damp soapy cloth.
QuoteErm ... are you meant to clean your marver then?
I'm glad I'm not the only one! I tend to give it a quick rub on my trouser leg to get rid of the dust and polish up the surface. I still use a nice aluminium marver which I use lots of water and back of a sponge scourer thing as grot seem to quickly build up on that.
Thanks everyone for the info. I only used wire wool because I happened to have some in my tools jar due to trying out making vessels a la Cindy Jenkins (not a success by the way, making it as a hollow was better).
Loads of pencil dust did come off, but the surface was so rough I think it may have helped. I've been using it for 9 months now so I guess it was about time for its first clean. I will be much gentler now!
Yes, I belong to the rubbing on the trouser school of marver care. I've never really cleaned mine and it is approaching its ninth birthday!
I'm more of a blow and sleeve girl ;D