Transparent mylar balloons

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  • glovepopper
    Senior Member
    • May 2019
    • 193

    Transparent mylar balloons

    Recently I tried removing silver plating from mylar balloons. I used a water solution of caustic soda (used to unclog sewage pipes) to do this. I dissolved a small amount of soda in warm water, and then I dipped the uninflated balloon. The aluminum layer was etched from the balloon in about 2 minutes. Then I washed the balloon in running warm water and left it to dry.

    In addition to the nice appearance, I'm surprised how durable such a balloon is... One burst under me with a really loud bang after inflating it very hard
    Attached Files
    Last edited by glovepopper; 06-08-2022, 20:35.
  • condensatelover
    Senior Member
    • Jan 2022
    • 130

    #2
    Re: Transparent mylar balloons

    Nice results. Done it with a star balloon.
    I do not have a pump, so you can see some condensation inside.
    It finally popped because of overinflation and boiling weather. The bang was loud.
    Attached Files

    Comment

    • Smiithy
      Junior Member
      • Oct 2015
      • 3

      #3
      Re: Transparent mylar balloons

      That seems awsome! Can you give some more details in order for us to try? For example, how much water and soda etc.. thank you!

      Comment

      • glovepopper
        Senior Member
        • May 2019
        • 193

        #4
        Re: Transparent mylar balloons

        Thank you guys for the response. I was dissolving 2 tablespoons of caustic soda in 1 liter of warm water. A more concentrated solution will remove the aluminum coating faster, but don't overdo it. Remember that soda is aggressive to the skin and you must use protective gloves.

        Comment

        • condensatelover
          Senior Member
          • Jan 2022
          • 130

          #5
          Re: Transparent mylar balloons

          I just use water. Warm water, maybe 40°C. I highly recoomend ordering some Agura balloons from Russia. They have really strong seams, my star balloon popped from overinflating, and I was surprised that seams were not damaged, the mylar film just popped. The bang was awesome

          Comment

          • glovepopper
            Senior Member
            • May 2019
            • 193

            #6
            Re: Transparent mylar balloons

            Mine balloon didn't burst at the seams too, just on the smooth surface. It was surprisingly loud
            See the photo...
            Attached Files

            Comment

            • Smiithy
              Junior Member
              • Oct 2015
              • 3

              #7
              Re: Transparent mylar balloons

              thank you i will try to do it ^^

              Comment

              • Danniballoon
                Senior Member
                • Mar 2018
                • 549

                #8
                Re: Transparent mylar balloons

                Tried it with a 40" balloon & it worked quite well. Managed to ride it 3 times so far, without it going bang. Some of the other smaller ones I tried, gave up though. I was wondering if the process weakened the seams on them.
                What about spraying them with oven cleaner - I wonder if that would work.
                Is it possible to heat stretch them too ?

                For the benefit of those at the States, I believe caustic soda is called lye, over there.

                As was stated earlier, be careful - it's pretty nasty stuff & can cause blindness if it hits you in the eye!
                Attached Files

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                • Danniballoon
                  Senior Member
                  • Mar 2018
                  • 549

                  #9
                  Re: Transparent mylar balloons

                  I tried it with an airship shaped one, which was a thinner plastic than the last one. It turned out ok and is a nice boinkable shape
                  Attached Files

                  Comment

                  • Danniballoon
                    Senior Member
                    • Mar 2018
                    • 549

                    #10
                    Re: Transparent mylar balloons

                    I wonder what it would be like doing it with one of those mylar foil lightweight survival sleeping bags? Inflating one of those and riding it might be fun to try.

                    Comment

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