How To Clean & Maintain Your High End Bongs and Dab Rigs

How To Clean & Maintain Your High End Bongs and Dab Rigs

As the glass art market continues its upward trajectory, both the quality and value of these artistic pieces have shown exponential growth. In fact, some enthusiasts invest an amount comparable to the cost of a small house on a single pipe to indulge their hash passion. Consequently, the desire to preserve and enhance the value of these exquisite pieces is paramount.

This blog aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to the realm of glass care, outlining the best practices for maintaining these valuable pieces of art. Our goal? To ensure your glass art not only retains its value over time but also appreciates as the scarcity of older designs increases when artists transition to new concepts. Dive in, and let's explore how to make your investment in glass art a timeless treasure.

Sovereignty glass bong artArtist: Steve and Sovereignty Glass

After-Use Protocol For High End Bongs

Each time a piece is used, it’s exposed to heat and plant matter, leading to inevitable resin build-up and potential thermal stress to the glass. The key to preserving the condition of a high-end bong is an immediate, post-use cleaning regimen. Leaving the resin to dry and stick can cause permanent staining, and even the slightest residue and its harbored bacteria can be inhaled during the next use, causing potential health risks.

 

Does Your Bongs Water Type Matter?

Tap water contains various dissolved solids and gases, which can leave behind residue and deposits on your bong, potentially affecting its long-term value. These impurities can interact with the glass at a molecular level over time, causing surface degradation, etching, and staining.

The use of distilled water mitigates this risk. Distillation removes nearly all minerals and impurities, reducing the chance of residue and ensuring a purer smoking experience. It's also beneficial for a deeper cleaning process when combined with appropriate cleaning agents.

Sovereignty Glass Bong

Our Detailed Bong Cleaning Method:

Step 1). Disassembly: Begin by disassembling your bong. Remove all detachable components, including slides and downstems. This allows you to clean each piece individually for a thorough clean.
Step 2). Initial Preparation: Pour out the old, dirty water from the bong. Ensure as much as possible is removed to prepare for cleaning.
Step 3). Rinsing: Rinse the bong once or twice with warm water. Avoid hot water, which could damage the glass.
Step 4). Cleaning Solution Application: Add your preferred bong cleaner. This could be a commercially available bong cleaning solution or a mixture of 90% isopropyl alcohol and salt. Avoid stronger concentrations like 99% isopropyl alcohol, which could damage your glass over time and cause a bloom effect.
Step 5). Shaking: If you have Stemclenz cleaning caps or similar products, secure them in place and shake your bong vigorously. This allows the cleaning solution to scrub away the residue inside.
Step 6). First Rinse: After thorough shaking, rinse the bong with warm water for a few minutes. Intermittently shake the bong during rinsing to dissolve and remove remaining salt particles.
Step 7). Second Cleaning: Add more cleaning solution (preferably pure 90% isopropyl alcohol) and shake once more to ensure no salt residue remains.
Step 8). Final Rinse: Rinse the bong thoroughly to remove all isopropyl alcohol. Start with tap water to remove most of the alcohol. Then, drain as much tap water as possible before using distilled water for the final rinse, ensuring the distilled water coats all interior surfaces.
Step 9). Draining: Pour out the distilled water and prepare your bong for storage. The distilled water used for the final rinse should prevent water staining from evaporation.
Step 10). Drying: Place the cleaned bong upside down so any remaining water can drip out. The use of distilled water for the final rinse should prevent water stains even if some water evaporates while drying.

Bloom and Its Prevention

"Bloom," also known as "glass disease," is a phenomenon that stems from an unstable balance of ingredients in the glass, predominantly alkali and silica. Over time, this instability can cause the glass to degrade, leading to a cloudy, iridescent, or crumbly appearance on the surface due to moisture and humidity.
Preventing bloom involves ensuring thorough drying after each cleaning, storing the piece in a cool, dry environment to limit exposure to humidity, and avoiding dramatic temperature fluctuations that can accelerate the bloom process.

Illadelph worked bongPiece By: Illadelph Glass

Storage Considerations

Storage plays a crucial role in preserving the pristine condition of your high-end bong. Factors such as stable temperature, humidity control, inverted storage, cushioning, and regular check-ups are essential considerations for your bong's longevity and value preservation.
With these methods and precautions, your high-end glass bong will not only maintain its top-notch condition, ensuring its functional longevity, but it will also preserve its value as an investment. The meticulous care you put into your piece enhances its lifespan and ensures the best possible smoking experience every time you use it.
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