How to Clean a Glass Lightning Rod Ball
Lightning rods are vital in protecting buildings from lightning strikes. Positioned at the highest point of the building, the rod attracts lightning and conducts it through a grounding wire into the earth below. At one time, some lightning rods were also equipped with a glass ball. It was believed the ball would shatter after a lightning strike, informing the property owner he should inspect the building for damage. Through time, the glass balls on lightning rods became ornamental and a highly prized collectible. If you have such a ball and wish to restore it, a good cleaning will be in order. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic container
- Liquid dish detergent
- Soft, lint-free cloths
- Glass/ceramic stovetop cleaner
- Soft-bristle toothbrush (if necessary)
- Copper wool pad (if necessary)
Instructions
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1
Add some warm water to a plastic container and mix in roughly 1 tbsp. of liquid dish detergent.
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2
Place the glass lightning rod ball into the container of warm water and soap and allow it to soak overnight.
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3
Remove the ball carefully from the soapy water and dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth. A microfiber cloth will work best. Examine the ball for any remaining dirt, mineral deposits or stains. If the ball is still not fully clean, you'll need to proceed.
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4
Dampen a soft, clean, lint-free cloth with some glass/ceramic stovetop cleaner. This type of cleaner is mainly used for smooth-top stoves and will not scratch the glass. Use the cloth and cleaner to scrub the glass ball. If the ball has an ornamental design that makes it difficult to clean with a cloth, use a soft-bristle toothbrush instead.
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5
Rinse the ball with warm water and dry with clean, lint-free cloth. Examine the ball for any remaining dirt or stains. If any stubborn stains persist, you will need to use a copper wool pad. Copper pads will not scratch glass. However, when purchasing the pad, ensure that it is actually made of copper rather than just copper-colored. Use the copper pad and stovetop cleaner to remove any remaining stains or dirt. When you've finished, rinse and dry the ball completely with the lint-free cloth.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of soaking the ball in dish detergent, you can try adding a tablet of denture cleaner to some warm water. Allow the lightning rod ball to soak in the water and denture cleaner overnight. You may also try a mixture of warm water and white vinegar.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
