Smoke In Glass

[Guest]

I'm currently working on this effect and am having trouble getting the chemical components to interact in order to produce the desired outcome.

Here's my question. Does potassium permanganate or glycerin have a shelf life? Are they subject to spoilage?

I obtained these two chemicals about two-three years ago and have had them sealed in plastic bottles.

After about a dozen attempts it's worked only once. All the other times there's just a mess in the glass that has to be cleaned before the next try.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

My Thanks,

Pete Mills

[Pete Biro]

I understand Vito Lupo sells a version of this effect. You may be using the wrong stuff???

[Frank Yuen]

I'm not sure if the chemicals that you are using are the correct ones. I don't recall the effect using potassium permanganate and glycerin. Perhaps someone can check the "Corncobs" chapter of Elliot's Classic Secrets of Magic and chime in. Hydrochloric acid and ammonia stick in my mind as the chemicals used (but certainly please don't try them until someone confirms that I am correct or incorrect).

The version that Vito Lupo sells is a mechanical glass. It does not use the traditional chemical method. It's much safer and surefire.

Frank Yuen

[Jim Riser]

Pete;
Try ammonia and hydrochloric acid for your two chemicals.
Jim

[Dustin Stinett]

This Genii Forum moderator would highly recommend speaking with a qualified chemist before simply "trying" anything like this. An ounce of prevention can be less hazardous than an ounce of hydrochloric acid.

Dustin

[Jim Riser]

Dustin;
I don't know why I'm getting double posts. On the HCl, only a few drops are used - no where near an ounce :eek:

And yes, everything should be handled with proper precautions.
Jim

[Pete Biro]

Fred Kaps had the best smoke in glass effect. It was developed for him by a chemist.

That chemist is a member of this forum, and you might leave a post for him.

Who?

Dick Koornwinder. :genii:

[Richard Kaufman]

As the owner of the Genii Forum I am stating the following:
I think anyone who doesn't have adequate training and supervision has no business handling even the tiniest amounts of dangerous chemicals.
SO DON'T DO IT!

[Guest]

Pete Mills: The potassium permanganate may have a limited shelf life - the glycerine should be fine. Michael Lair markets this effect with these same chemicals - try sending him your questions... lair@timken.com
I bought the effect from him and have had no problems... works perfectly every time! --Asrah

[Guest]

Asrah,

Michael is who I purchased this item from as well.

As to wether these are the proper chemicals- I obtained the secret to the effect from watching a video I recently purchased. I purchased the video long after having purchased the chemicals.

Thanks for the help,

Pete

[Guest]

Another warning about Potassium Permagnate and Glycerline. Under no circumstances put the two together in a small, enclosed container (like corking a test tube) as they are explosive when combined in a sealed container.

PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat
AB StageCraft
Supplying Unique Mentalism World-wide
http://www.stores.ebay.ca/ABstagecraft

[GAMOLO]

Jay Scout Berry has a whole lecture series out using smoke in glass & similar effects....suggest you check with him about some less volatile acidic
ingedients.