I have a couple that I have noticed condensation inside. Haven't done anything with any of them. It is that bad and so far they haven't been affected by it. Other members may have a sugestion for you tho.

I have one that has had condensation for years (4-5years!). It keeps
increasing, and I thought about taking a stiff wire and poking through the silicone
so that it would drip out, but haven't done that yet.

Mine look awful with all that condensation. I'm trying to use glass that's not really clear just to hide it. I don't know how to solve it.

I have been thinking about this for awhile....
I read a book once where a guy was trapped in a car
in the desert. He had a plastic bag, and breathed into
it. Every day he got enough condensation from that
to keep him alive. Sooooo, I think that there was a
tiny 'breath' of humid air inside to start with, and it just grows and grows....
Whadda you think?

O.K..Glad I'm not the only one..I thought I was doing something wrong. The sprinklers do hit it everyday, and maybe there wasn't a tight seal to begin with..
Tiffani :)

Mayeb the moisture comes from the silicone. If that's the case ... there's no stopping it.

The ways to prevent condensation are as following:
1. Include some desiccant (what thermal-pane window makers do).
2. 100% sealed space (do it on a dry hot day).
3. If you are not going to seal the space, then ventilate the space well with drain holes provided if necessary.

Otherwise night time temperature makes the container cold and moisture will condense on the walls of the container (reaching dew point) in the morning.

You may try out Rain-X (auto parts store) and coat the inside of the container to help shed the condensation.

dcarch

Condensation is caused by "heat" increasing inside the closed up containers. When I made ALL mine, I left gaps in the silicone so the air and moisture could escape and heat did not build up and cause condensation. I have made about 8 and I did them all this way and I have no problem.

Oh thanks for your help. I've been trying to seal up every crack and crevice good. I'll not do that now. I thought I hadn't sealed them good enough and that's why I got moisture in them.

"Posted by uglyoodie z5 OH (My Page) -
Condensation is caused by "heat" increasing inside the closed up containers. When I made ALL mine, I left gaps in the silicone so the air and moisture could escape and heat did not build up and cause condensation. I have made about 8 and I did them all this way and I have no problem."

Depending on where you live, if you live in an area with high humidity, that one sure way to get moisture inside.

Air expands and contracts depending on temperature. If a container is not sealed, wet air will get drawn in and condense inside when the container walls are cold.

Again, condensation is caused by moist air reaching dew point when it is encountering cold surfaces, like when you have a cold glass of ice water, water will condense on the glass.

dcarch

Hmmm...I've never had condensation in any of mine. And summers here are 115. What I don't have is humidity tho, our heat is very dry. Wonder if that makes a difference.
Sprinklers hit mine and no problem. Actually my problem is the 'hard' water spots and trying to keep the glass looking sparkly clean.

hugs, Karen

I just recently noticed condensation in one of mine. I think that's the second one I've had that happen to. I've always thot it was better to make them on a very dry day but I don't always. I think I'll try to make a couple of holes in the glue.

I have a problem with water spots too so occasionally clean them with vinegar.

I think the condensation gives them texture. doesn't hurt them.

I have had both accidental and one my fault that has moisture inside...If you leave a hole in the silicone where there is a piece that has a lip...water will get in...I had a saucer upside down and it captured a little water and got in. I put holes at the top of the vase/bottle in the glue...then it could circulate out a bit and dry out. Also you MUST make sure the pieces are totally dry inside...do not wash and put together too quickly.

My mistake one....I thought I would add to the theme and put in layered different colored small gravel. Then I worried that if it tipped over, it would get mixed up. So brilliant me put regular glue in the middle of each circle of gravel as I went. Let it dry did the next....but, it still had too much moisture in the glue...I have rain forest showers in it now...but you know in this hot So CA sun, it looks kinds neat.

I use some of the sillica from those little packets in shoes, purses, etc. to soak up the excess. I place a pinch or so in as I am building the totem and be sure to let the recepient know so they don't freak when they see the squishy lumps forming!

One thing I noticed is that the pieces of glass that are not turned upside down, do not seem to have the condensation in them as bad, they still have a plate turned upside down and glued to each piece.It is very hot and humid here.The condensation doesn't show so much on the cut glass or the colored, but now I try to turn the plain clear ones upright in the totem.

Would those little things that come in a bottle of asprins work as the dessicant if you sealed it up inside there? Of course you could see it, but it is sort of a non-color. Or do you only need just a pinch, can you cut those things, what are they made of anyway, I have some saved, I'm going to go see.

Don't know if they'd be useable....let us know what you found inside! I just used a large pinch of the crystals.

You may want to try this out:

Spray the inside of the bottles with window/glass cleaner, let it dry out completely before assembly. This may prevent condensation form forming.
Window cleaners has chemicals that breaks water surface tension, so when water condenses on the surface, beads will not form, water just sheets down.

Some commercial greenhouse plastic panels have this quality to prevent condensation.

dcarch

---Hmmm...I've never had condensation in any of mine.---

That's because the air in Phoenix, AZ is DRY! No moisture to condense.