i only clean out when its a glob that comes up between the glass and may show after grouting. i use toothpicks. they are cheap and work well....barb

I have a couple of tools I use. A craft knife/utility type and a pick, it looks like a dentist tool, but I bought it at a dollar store.

Oh, maybe that's the source of the smears, I'm trying to clean it up while it's wet instead of waiting for it to cure. Are you taking it off after it's dry/cured, Jane? May try that, IF I can find the patience to wait- NASTY four letter word to me. LOL!!

Pat

I can not clean it after it's cured! I can slice it nine ways to Sunday with a razor, scrape it with picks, pull it with tweezers... it just stretches and pops back... ugh

I prefer what you do Pat, with my finger nails!

NT - LOL if you pull it with one hand you have to slice it while it's stretched!

I'm really sick of the whole GEII thing, though in some situations it has to be used.And I'm such a slob with it!

When it's wet is smears ( though I have moderate success with Windex) when it's dry , the only thing I can get to work is my fingernail... very tedious. Anything else I try ( exacto-type knife, screwdriver) leaves s bit of residue. I've even tried another piece of glass!!

Maria

Curb, I can't help you with cleaning GE II but have you thought of using Weldbond instead? If you look up Dawn Zimmerman, she has a tutorial of how she uses Weldbond for candle shelters. It sure is a lot easier to clean and dries clear on glass. The only thing I've found is that you will want to give the Weldbond a little more drying time before you grout. I usually wait 2 days after my last glueing and if it's been humid, I wait longer.

Hubby clued me in to something that helps clear the haze left on the surface of glass from the GEII - a little bit of paint thinner on an old rag/towel. Use just enough to dampen the rag, not soak it because you don't want any paint thinner dripping down between the pieces or it will loosen the bond.

I was able to clear the gooey smear quickly. (Toss the rag in an outside garbage can when you're done - it's a fire hazard!)

Weldbond with a paint brush is so much easier for me.
When my hand starts hurting from the tubes, I switch to Weldbond for a while.

Hazie

I did a litle gog with weldbond - after 2-3 months there were still wet areas showing....ultimately took nearly 5 months for it to look clear. Could it be because we're so humid around here?

I was looking at a Christmas tree made of bits and pieces of jewelry at a craft sale yesterday. Gorgeous! She did it with Alene's tacky glue....said it dried pretty fast. Anyone know if it holds glass?

Pat

It might. I use it alot for costumes, used it today on DD's witch hat...

It might. I use it alot for costumes, used it today on DD's witch hat...

Seem to be repeating yourself here today NT

Are we going to see a pic of that hat soon?

icheer was that on dried GEII or still "wet"?? If I try to clean as I go I end up moving my tesserae around too much

Maria

Marie, the GEII had dried.

I'm also sick of GEII mess, but as y'all say, it's necessary in some cases. CURB, On the shoe, I discovered if I run a fan close to my work, it helps dry the Weldbond as I go and it sticks better. On the Aleen's Tacky, that's what our "Queen of Mosaics" in Texarkana was using the day ROSIE and I visited her in our downtown little gallery. She was using it on a giant piece of paneling on which she was working a Queen of Spades design. When I first started researching mosaics lots of the tutorials/books suggested regular white glue, so I just bought more Aleen's this weekend.

For Weldbond, I've read that you should put glue on the outer edges of the glass and leave the center void to accelerate the dry time. I usually apply it with a flat paint brush. I first paint Weldbond on the glass, then when it's near dry I start glueing my glass pieces on it.

I agree with Slow on drying the Weldbond. I use a fan while working and then bring in the air conditioned house at night.

Never used Aleen's Tacky but thanks for the tip.