Does anybody know about any level of UV protection that old float glass might offer? I usually keep a small collection of it around from old frames that come in but hesitate to use it on anything irreplaceable. Also, I've looked around a bit for a more reliable source, ie a good reproduction version, but haven't found anything that approaches the look of the old stuff. Has anyone had better luck than me?
Old Float Glass/Restoration Glass
- Thread starter scurran
- Start date
T
Tom Reigle
Guest
I wouldn't imagine that the really old float glass would have any more UV protection than any other float glass, ie., Premium clear or equivalent.
Why not put a piece of Conservation Clear behind the old piece of wavy float glass? Then you would have the protection you are looking for and also the old look of the wavy glass.
Just a thought.
Why not put a piece of Conservation Clear behind the old piece of wavy float glass? Then you would have the protection you are looking for and also the old look of the wavy glass.
Just a thought.
yeah, I wouldn't think it offered much, if any, protection but then I figured I'd ask around...maybe the older formulations contained different minerals or levels of mineral content or maybe because the glass is typically thicker it offers some protection. I was surprised to learn years ago that standard UV offers something like 40% protection from UV rays...just hoping! Re. putting another sheet of glass behind, I think it wouldn't look good...maybe museum glass would look ok? I'll take a peek.
realhotglass
MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Maybe you meant standard glass provides ~ 40% UVa blocking ?
It can, but varies from batch to batch and between methods of production over the years.
Older glass may have less iron content, and allow more UV light through.
The lower iron glass has a 'whiter' edge, rather than the green look of more modern glass.
We have 3mm sheet drawn glass from China, that is fairly nice in effect (directional with vertical draw lines).
Can also make non directional wavy glass in our kilns on hammered moulds.
We can also spray these (and our convex glass) with our own developed UV block on the inside surface, providing 94% block of UVa light.
Have also provided this service for high end framers restoring original art under old cylinder glass etc, where they want to use the original glass and get the UV blocking as well.
You MAY be able to source a clear solar control (security) film locally there, that can be applied to the inside surface of the glass . . . most of these block up to 99% of UV light too.
We do this on oversize 3mm glass here for framers, and I think avg sheet glass wouldn't be too uneven for a filmer to apply the product ok.
Maybe test the inner CC suggestion of Toms (or Museum as you noted).
You might get funny glare issues, if against each other Newtons Rings effect, but it may be worth checking out. Try a 1/8" spacer between.
We are in Australia (do ship worldwide), but if you have any questions, please email (refer profile).
I am away from Mon 28th Apr to ~ 12th May, so may not get to email (or forum) as quickly as I usually do.
Ugggh...I meant standard acrylic, not standard UV. Sorry for the speed typing. That's really interesting about being able to spray glass...maybe I'll inquire with our shaped glass vendors. Do you lose any clarity with the spray? Also, I've thought of using film before but haven't researched sources for it and wasn't that interested because I thought it would give me a really "filmy" look. ha ha
What is directional glass? AND are the hammered moulds you're referring to created to mimic the look of waves in old glass? I had in my mind that glass used to be produced by pouring it onto water? Am sure I'm embarrassing myself by admitting that.
And lastly, are you a glass vendor, a framer that developed his own UV spray.....???
Thanks!!
What is directional glass? AND are the hammered moulds you're referring to created to mimic the look of waves in old glass? I had in my mind that glass used to be produced by pouring it onto water? Am sure I'm embarrassing myself by admitting that.
And lastly, are you a glass vendor, a framer that developed his own UV spray.....???
Thanks!!
realhotglass
MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Film. Check it out, it doesn't look filmy. Ask for clear security film, tell them it's to go on old glass, and ensure it is of a make that does block 99% UVa.
Directional glass. Sheet drawn is drawn up form a trough of molten glass. It has vertical draw lines, and when you walk past it glazed that way, it has some nice distortions. Turn it side on, and it is harder to pick these . . . your head moving up and down would see it more, but that's not the usual way you get past glass ! : )
Our hammered moulds give more of the look of cylinder glass, where a cylinder of glass was either drawn up from a circular trough (or blown in earlier days), then the cylinder was cut down the through the middle and the 2 halves were flattened in a kiln. It has similar look when glazed any way, usually much more pronounced in surface distortion.
You idea of floating glass is not too far out, but modern float glass is floated on a bath of molten tin.
We are a glass vendor in Australia, mostly for the framing industry, and provide a range of unique products for framers (convex glass, glass display cases, mounting solutions for items, UV glass etc).
I obtained nanoparticles from the US to produce our UV blocking spray.
It is about as discernible as TV rolled effect on their cc.
Directional glass. Sheet drawn is drawn up form a trough of molten glass. It has vertical draw lines, and when you walk past it glazed that way, it has some nice distortions. Turn it side on, and it is harder to pick these . . . your head moving up and down would see it more, but that's not the usual way you get past glass ! : )
Our hammered moulds give more of the look of cylinder glass, where a cylinder of glass was either drawn up from a circular trough (or blown in earlier days), then the cylinder was cut down the through the middle and the 2 halves were flattened in a kiln. It has similar look when glazed any way, usually much more pronounced in surface distortion.
You idea of floating glass is not too far out, but modern float glass is floated on a bath of molten tin.
We are a glass vendor in Australia, mostly for the framing industry, and provide a range of unique products for framers (convex glass, glass display cases, mounting solutions for items, UV glass etc).
I obtained nanoparticles from the US to produce our UV blocking spray.
It is about as discernible as TV rolled effect on their cc.