cleaning beads

[jammie]

I made some clear beads and was cleaning them and realised that they take quite a lot of cleaning with actually scaping the reamer around the core of the bead to get the bead release off the inside. I hadn't noticed this before and am now wondering how do you tell with non clear beads if all the release is out. I use bead reamers and grits and am thinking I might have to move up to something better for cleaning.

[Mand]

I have found the same problem too.  I tried using a fluffy pipe cleaner after having soaked the reamed bead - it helped quite a bit.  I would be interested if anyone has any tips though. 

[jammie]

Thought about giving that a try. 

[poledra1958]

I always put all the beads in a bowl of water and leave them for an hour or so before I even start to clean them, have found this makes them easier to clean.

[elburnzo]

i prefer using the grits as they seem to work better for me, then i use a pipe cleaner, usually does the job

[Mand]

Sorry if I sound an utter dumbo Elburnzo - but what's "the grits"?

[Veebee]

Silicon Carbide grits, I have Beady Sams 5 step ones, they get increasingly finer with each step. With clear beads I finish by swiping a pipecleaner through the bead with a tiny amount of olive oil on, then swipe a clean pipecleaner to get rid of any excess. I've heard that some people do the above with clear nail polish, but I'd worry about it flaking off eventually 

[jammie]

I'll try that too. I use the grits already. I found with my transparent beads that some of the bead release must have broken off while I was making the bead and inside the inside is the core...it's covered in bead release, then
there is a bumpy bit on the side of this core with bead release but its hard and wont come off with any amount of scraping. Suppose these are a right off then.

[Lush!]

You could etch them Jean, then you won't see it 

[jammie]

Aha! away to rescue my beadies