Forums > Help! > I mixed the chemicals but it isnt working!!!
Login/Join to ParticipateSILVER Member
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
Posted:
a while ago i got some boric acid and mixed it with torch fuel and when i lit it it was still yellow............i dont know if i did something wrong......??? please and thank u
a while ago i got some boric acid and mixed it with torch fuel and when i lit it it was still yellow............i dont know if i did something wrong......??? please and thank u
life without danger is a waste of oxygen
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
To the best of my knowledge:
When trying to do green flame, you dont use normal paraffin or colemans fuel.
As these two fuels contain carbon, the flame is made yellow.
To do green flame, you need totally new wicks which dont have any previous carbon based fuels on, and you mix the boric acid with meths/denatured alcohol?
I think thats why it didnt work.
have you tried reading the coloured flames FAQ?
To the best of my knowledge:
When trying to do green flame, you dont use normal paraffin or colemans fuel.
As these two fuels contain carbon, the flame is made yellow.
To do green flame, you need totally new wicks which dont have any previous carbon based fuels on, and you mix the boric acid with meths/denatured alcohol?
I think thats why it didnt work.
have you tried reading the coloured flames FAQ?
SILVER Member
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
Posted:
well i read it but the thing is i dont know where to get meths or denaturated alcohol..
well i read it but the thing is i dont know where to get meths or denaturated alcohol..
life without danger is a waste of oxygen
SILVER Member
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
Posted:
but hey thanks i didnt know y they didnt work
but hey thanks i didnt know y they didnt work
life without danger is a waste of oxygen
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Well, Id suggest going to any hardware store.
I see you are in Florida
But yeah, just goto a hardware store and ask for denatured alcohol.
Try looking here
Well, Id suggest going to any hardware store.
I see you are in Florida
But yeah, just goto a hardware store and ask for denatured alcohol.
Try looking here
SILVER Member
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
stranger
13 posts
Location: Florida, USA
Posted:
i cant seem to find anything but thanks a lot for everything..
i cant seem to find anything but thanks a lot for everything..
life without danger is a waste of oxygen
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Id suggest WalMart or K mart or some other ma-hoosive shop like you American types have over there.
I wish we had some shops like those
Id suggest WalMart or K mart or some other ma-hoosive shop like you American types have over there.
I wish we had some shops like those
SILVER Member
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Posted:
Wal-Mart ate my babies.........and raped my father....:(
Wal-Mart ate my babies.........and raped my father....:(
O.B.E.S.E.
Owned by Mynci!
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Do you still have the receipt?
If so, you may be entitled to a refund.
Do you still have the receipt?
If so, you may be entitled to a refund.
SILVER Member
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Posted:
ya know, the ONE time a crumpled up receipt flys out of the bed of my truck.......
ya know, the ONE time a crumpled up receipt flys out of the bed of my truck.......
O.B.E.S.E.
Owned by Mynci!
SILVER Member
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Posted:
I wouldn't use meths. It's kinda poisonous and gives a rubbish flame.
But you're in america, so you can buy everclear and use that (anywhere else, I'd suggest rubbing alcohol from a pharmacy.).
Using boric to make a green flame is kinda tricky. I've not had much joy myself, and if you use enough to get a good green, you need to be careful not to give yourself chemical burns...
I wouldn't use meths. It's kinda poisonous and gives a rubbish flame.
But you're in america, so you can buy everclear and use that (anywhere else, I'd suggest rubbing alcohol from a pharmacy.).
Using boric to make a green flame is kinda tricky. I've not had much joy myself, and if you use enough to get a good green, you need to be careful not to give yourself chemical burns...
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art."
--Konstantin Stanislavisky
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Written by: The HOP Coloured Flames FAQ
What fuels can I use to dissolve the chemicals?
Methylated Spirits (Meths) is best for this.
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
I found meths were a bit pants... maybe because most meths in the UK is mineralised dunno if that effects the colour at all...
I found meths were a bit pants... maybe because most meths in the UK is mineralised dunno if that effects the colour at all...
A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
SILVER Member
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Posted:
Yeah. Without meaning to step on anyone's toes here (apologies if I do), that isn't strictly true... But don't get me started on chemistry here.
Use what you will. Just read the MSDS so you know what you're dealing with, yeah?
Written by: UnderControlOrFailureWritten by: The HOP Coloured Flames FAQ
What fuels can I use to dissolve the chemicals?
Methylated Spirits (Meths) is best for this.
Yeah. Without meaning to step on anyone's toes here (apologies if I do), that isn't strictly true... But don't get me started on chemistry here.
Use what you will. Just read the MSDS so you know what you're dealing with, yeah?
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art."
--Konstantin Stanislavisky
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Sorry mister Xan, I hope my post didnt come across as rude
I wasnt trying to be !
Sorry mister Xan, I hope my post didnt come across as rude
I wasnt trying to be !
SILVER Member
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Posted:
Oh hey, it's cool man. No offence taken.
Don't mind me, I'm just a chemistry geek...
Oh hey, it's cool man.
No offence taken. Don't mind me, I'm just a chemistry geek...
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art."
--Konstantin Stanislavisky
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
Also, since the link in the FAQ doesn't work and noone's said it yet, PLEASE BE CAREFUL with boric acid. It's most likely to enter the body by inhalation, and since it's quite dusty, that can happen quite easily.
For the guys: Boric acid's been associated with testicular problems in rats.
Here's something copied out of a MSDS:
Inhalation:
Causes irritation to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. May be absorbed from the mucous membranes, and depending on the amount of exposure could result in the development of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, rash, headache, fall in body temperature, low blood pressure, renal injury, cyanosis, coma, and death.
Ingestion:
Symptoms parallel absorption via inhalation. Adult fatal dose reported at 5 to > 30 grams.
Skin Contact:
Causes skin irritation. Not significantly absorbed through the intact skin. Readily absorbed through damaged or burned skin. Symptoms of skin absorption parallel inhalation and ingestion.
Eye Contact:
Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged absorption causes weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, convulsions and anemia. Liver and particularly the kidneys may be susceptible. Studies of dogs and rats have shown that infertility and damage to testes can result from acute or chronic ingestion of boric acid. Evidence of toxic effects on the human reproductive system is inadequate.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems, or impaired liver, kidney or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.
EDITED_BY: Birgit (1186152241)
Also, since the link in the FAQ doesn't work and noone's said it yet, PLEASE BE CAREFUL with boric acid. It's most likely to enter the body by inhalation, and since it's quite dusty, that can happen quite easily.
For the guys: Boric acid's been associated with testicular problems in rats.
Here's something copied out of a MSDS:
Inhalation:
Causes irritation to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. May be absorbed from the mucous membranes, and depending on the amount of exposure could result in the development of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, rash, headache, fall in body temperature, low blood pressure, renal injury, cyanosis, coma, and death.
Ingestion:
Symptoms parallel absorption via inhalation. Adult fatal dose reported at 5 to > 30 grams.
Skin Contact:
Causes skin irritation. Not significantly absorbed through the intact skin. Readily absorbed through damaged or burned skin. Symptoms of skin absorption parallel inhalation and ingestion.
Eye Contact:
Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged absorption causes weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, convulsions and anemia. Liver and particularly the kidneys may be susceptible. Studies of dogs and rats have shown that infertility and damage to testes can result from acute or chronic ingestion of boric acid. Evidence of toxic effects on the human reproductive system is inadequate.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems, or impaired liver, kidney or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.
EDITED_BY: Birgit (1186152241)
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
SILVER Member
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Your friendly neighbourhood mad scientist
479 posts
Location: Over the hills and far away, United Kingdom
Posted:
Actually, I've done a little research on this...
Safest two I've found (out of all the chemicals pyrotechnics people use) are Strontium Carbonate for red and and Barium Sulphate for green. I'm not sure how well they work yet, mind, but at least they're not likely to kill you or give you testicular problems...
I've not yet found a non-poisonous blue though... Still looking.
Do the age check dance, and you can buy them from skylighter.com...
Actually, I've done a little research on this...
Safest two I've found (out of all the chemicals pyrotechnics people use) are Strontium Carbonate for red and and Barium Sulphate for green. I'm not sure how well they work yet, mind, but at least they're not likely to kill you or give you testicular problems...
I've not yet found a non-poisonous blue though... Still looking.
Do the age check dance, and you can buy them from skylighter.com...
"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art."
--Konstantin Stanislavisky
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