White glass dirty?

[K. Mogensen]

Hello,

I have a bow blank that I'm finishing up and I've recently noticed that the glass on it has these strange specs all over that I didn't notice before I started sanding. I took a tooth pick and picked at a couple of them and my guess is that they are very tiny voids or bubbles in the glass that have picked up dust (this bow has walnut limbs and a dark wood in the riser so the dust is very dark).

I've tried sanding the glass a bit and cleaning with rubbing alcohol but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

Has anyone seen this before?

I'll post pics in a second. Thanks.

[K. Mogensen]

Pics.

[Flem]

I've not seen that before. Sure looks like Gordons white though, lots of glass fiber print thru.
Have you established if it is actually voids in the surface or just debris?

[Shredd]

Maybe try washing with acetone using a fine haired paint brush... May take two or three washes after cleaning your brush each time... 

Also try - After you scrub and while it's still thoroughly wet, blow out with compressed air...

   Next time if you notice something like this, it is better to blow out with air first while everything is still dry...  Once it gets wet it wants to adhere better in the crevice's

[K. Mogensen]

When I used the toothpick, it did feel like it was catching on a couple of the spots like they are small voids within the glass.

I don't have acetone on hand to try but can get some in the upcoming days. Since sanding doesn't seem to do anything, I'm assuming that is a sign that they are embedded particles.

Edit: I got a closer look and they are indeed tiny pockets in the resin of the glass lam. I'll try blowing them out or sanding some more.

[Shredd]

  Use the alcohol being that you have it and try what I suggested...  Good Luck...

[Flem]

Since it's most likely the Walnut dust in the pockets, if you use any liquid, they will swell and be difficult to remove. I would let it dry and maybe apply a little heat to it and then blow it out.

[Longcruise]

Apply a solution of water/baking soda and let it soak in.   When it's thoroughly dry, Apply a solution of peroxide/water.

[Mad Max]

Maybe they made black glass before they made white glass and did not clean up like they were suppose to.

[Flem]

What does the baking soda do? 

The oxidizer is a great idea

[Longcruise]

The baking soda will impregnate the "stuff" if it isn't impregnable and will increase the activity of the peroxide and help release it.   Especially if it is sanding dust/particles.

So the idea is to foam it out if possible.   If it's embedded within the glass at manufacture,  I think it best to just leave it be.  The specks may not be at the same depth.  Sanding may result in uneven thickness even while removing some but at the same time exposing others at greater depth. 

[K. Mogensen]

These specs didn't show up until after I sanded the edges of the limbs so they should certainly be walnut dust.

I will try blowing out dry first since the bow has sat overnight, then brushing with some rubbing alcohol and blowing out wet, then the baking soda peroxide trick.

Thanks for the suggestions all. If none of these work I might just have to leave it alone.

[Flem]

Hey Keifer, be sure and let us know what you end up with. Also post a pic or two of the bow you are working on, if you get a chance.

You have any family up around Flaming Gorge?