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How to Clean Glass Telegraph Insulators

Glass telegraph insulators were common in the late 1800s on communication wires. These items are no longer used, but may still be found on railroad tracks in rural areas. As of February 2010, The National Insulator Association has had over 5900 members since 1973 who collect this rare and unique piece of American history. Because glass telegraph insulators may contain tar, train smoke or soot, they may need cleaning, although extra care must be taken in the process.

Things You'll Need

2 to 4 plastic 5-gallon buckets with lids
Dish liquid
Soft cloth
Lint free towel
Oxalic acid
Paint stir stick
Rubber gloves
Dust mask
Goggles
Piece of paper
Marker
Masking tape
Plastic drop cloth
Lint-free polishing cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any caked on mud from the insulators by rubbing it off with your hands. Rinse the insulators under a kitchen faucet using water that is slightly above room temperature. Wash any remaining dirt or residue from the insulator with a solution of dish liquid and warm water, using a soft cloth. Rinse the soapy solution from the glass insulator with lukewarm water. Set the insulators aside on a dry towel.
- 2
  Fill a clean plastic 5-gallon bucket half full with very warm water. Put on rubber gloves, goggles and a dust mask. Add a 1/2 lb. of the oxalic acid to the bucket of water by pouring the powder slowly from the box into the bucket. Stir with a long paint stirrer for about five minutes or until all of the powder is completely dissolved.
- 3
  Add the insulators to the acid mixture one at a time, being careful not to drop them on top of one another. Continue adding until the water can no longer cover the insulators or until the bucket is too heavy to move. Make a second bucket of cleaning solution if you have more insulators that need to be cleaned.
- 4
  Cover the bucket tightly with a lid. Write the words "Danger--Acid" on a piece of paper with a marker. Tape the sign to the top of the bucket with a piece of masking tape. Place a plastic drop cloth in a corner of your home where children and pets are not likely to come in contact with it. Place the bucket in the center of the drop cloth. Leave the insulators soaking in the acid solution for two to three days depending on the amount of residue on them.
- 5
  Put on protective gloves and goggles. Remove the lid from the 5-gallon bucket. Take the insulators from the acid solution and place them into a clean, dry bucket. Discard the oxalic acid solution by pouring it slowly down your kitchen drain. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and cool water. Rinse the bucket and lid thoroughly with cold water and place in an outside storage area.
- 6
  Rinse the insulators under lukewarm running water to remove the residue from the oxalic acid. Set them aside on a lint-free towel to air dry. Dust with a lint-free cloth and place in your favorite display case or shadow box.

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