bead release

[beading bloke]

Hi all.
        My bottle of bead release has gone a bit thick and lumpy despite giving it a good shake before using it.can i just add water to it to make it OK again.May thanks.

[Tollgate-Debs]

I add water when needed - a little at a time and mix it well.  I also add a few beads into each pot which helps to agitate the mixture when shaken.

Debs

[Lush!]

Just make very very very sure you've put the lid on properly before you shake! 

[GoodMonkey]

Just make very very very sure you've put the lid on properly before you shake! 

There speaks the voice of experience.......

[julieHB]

Just make very very very sure you've put the lid on properly before you shake! 

There speaks the voice of experience.......

...erm...I don't shake the bottle any more - I use a thick mandrel and stir it before use....I never, never, ever want to clean up splattered bead release from all over my glass, floor, workbench ever again!!! 

[Margram]

I've written a warning on my lid - it's only a matter of time before I get so used
to seeing that that I just don't see it...

Someone (was it Trudi?) said to use distilled water to dilute it.

[Steampunkglass]

Someone posted it's better to use distilled water; I've only been using tap water and the mix isn't as good as when I bought it so may well help prolong the life of it.

[fionaess]

I've always used tap water with my Foster Fire - and its fine...just as good as the first time

[sublimekate]

Yep I just put some tap water in, and if it's too runny leave the lid off for a bit 

Shaking it with the lid off!! Oh dear, messy 

[Les]

Just make very very very sure you've put the lid on properly before you shake! 

Damn right !

[Betty the Chook]

I use a little whisk to give it a good mix up. Just don't leave the whisk in as it goes rusty very quickly - not nice.... but better than bead release splattered everywhere!

[glassworks]

the only thing to be aware of is NOT TO USE SOFTENED WATER!!!!.... apparently the salts cause the fosterfire to breakdown and crumble when dry?.. i asked robin about this and she confirmed it is best to use distilled or plain tap water only!...

and, tighten the lid... i've done it too.... i also chuck a few fuggly beads into the bottle to act as a "stirrer" to get the lumps off the bottom.. makes a neat rattle too!...

[princess pink]

i've been using bottled mineral water as i didnt have any distilled...do you think thats ok?

[turnedlight]

I've been using rainwater - just leave my jars outside the shed - I wonder if that's bad?

[glassworks]

rain water is fine... i would think that bottled (flat) water is fine too, as it is mostly just filtered tap water anyway!.. 

seriously though, from what robin explained it was the additional salts that the water softener added that caused the issues...

anyone else had any experience of the flaky bead release - i know we replaced a few bottles before robin cottoned on to what the issue was...