The empty bulbs of incandescent bulbs can be reused for various art creations, decorations and science projects. Opening a light bulb can be somewhat difficult the first time, but it becomes doable once you know what to expect and how to do it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Open the Bulb
Step 1. Grab the welded part with pliers
Look at the bottom of the bulb and find the small solder spot. Grasp it firmly using pliers with rounded tips.
It is very easy to break glass during this step and in many subsequent steps of the process; therefore, it will be better to work on a box or on several layers of newspaper. You should also wear protective goggles and gloves
Step 2. Twist and pull the metal
Twist the solder point with pliers until you feel the brass inside break one of the wires attached to the filament. Once the solder point is free, pull it out.
- Keep a firm grip on the bulb with your other hand as you pull out the solder point.
- You may need to push the solder point from side to side if twisting is not enough.
- The sides of the metal should be backed up enough for you to have a good grip with pliers before pulling it out.
Step 3. Break the glass insulation
Hold the insulation at the bottom of the bulb to one side with pliers. Twist it up to break the glass part.
- The glass is thick in this spot, so it will take some force to break it. Make sure you hold the bulb firmly in your other hand as you work on it.
- The insulation will break into many bits when you do this, so proceed with caution.
- You may have to break the insulation in several places around its perimeter if it doesn't break completely the first time.
Step 4. Remove all broken pieces of insulation
Use tweezers to remove any glass residue from the metal socket of the light bulb.
- These pieces of glass will likely be sharp, so don't touch them with your bare hands.
- Once the shards of glass are removed, you should be able to see the insides of the bulb from the bottom.
Step 5. Pull out the inner fill tube
Insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the bottom of the bulb, on one side of the inner tube. Press the screwdriver on the tube to detach it.
The bulb will be filled with argon, or another harmless inert gas. When you unplug the hose, you will hear a noise indicating the release of the gas
Step 6. Remove the tube
Slide the screwdriver to the sides of the tube to detach it completely and then pull it out with tweezers or pliers.
- If you managed to detach the tube without breaking it, you can reuse it for another project.
- If you are unable to detach the tube from the sides, you will have to twist the screwdriver harder, eventually breaking the tube. Remove the splinters with tweezers when you're done.
- You will need to use some force, so make sure you have a strong grip on the bulb with your other hand as you work on it.
Step 7. Remove the tungsten wire
Gently shake the rest of the frame with the filament to pop it out of the bulb and drop it onto the work surface.
- If the thread is still intact, you can reuse that as well.
- Keep in mind that you may have to pull the thread out with tweezers.
Step 8. Break and remove any other shards of glass
If there are any other pieces of glass inside the bulb, carefully break them apart with the screwdriver.
- Pull out the shards of glass with tweezers.
- At this point, the bulb is open and empty. You might as well stop here, but read on to find out if indeed this is the case.
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Metal Grip
Step 1. Determine if this is necessary
For many projects, you can keep the metal socket intact. If you only want the glass part of the bulb, you will need to remove the metal socket before continuing.
- You may want to take it off for aesthetic reasons. Another reason to remove it is to create a wider opening at the base of the bulb.
- If you want to reattach the metal socket after removing it, just apply some glue along the edge and hold it down to the bottom of the glass bulb.
Step 2. Dip the socket in muriatic acid
Pour some muriatic acid into a glass container. Dip the metal pin in the acid and let it soak for 24 hours.
- Muriatic acid is a very strong cleaning agent, often used to clean bathrooms and other heavily soiled plumbing surfaces.
- Use only enough to dip the metal part of the bulb in.
Step 3. Clean from acid
After soaking the plug, remove the acid and rinse it under running water.
- Use soap or a mild detergent, such as baking soda, to neutralize the acid still present on the surface of the socket.
- Wear gloves during this procedure to protect your fingers from chemicals.
Step 4. Carefully unscrew the metal socket
Firmly hold the bulb with one hand and then slowly unscrew the grip from the bottom with the other hand.
- The acid should have dissolved the powerful adhesive that binds the grip to the glass, freeing it and making it easy to remove.
- If you proceed carefully, you should be able to not break the glass at the bottom of the bulb.
Part 3 of 3: Clean the Open Bulb
Step 1. Assess if it is necessary
If you are working on a clear bulb, you don't need to clean it. If you have chosen a kaolin powder coated bulb, it will be best to remove this powder before using the bulb.
Kaolin is considered to be a safe substance, but you should still avoid ingesting it or putting it in contact with your eyes. Keep your glasses and gloves on
Step 2. Insert some paper towels into the bulb
Slip enough paper towels into the bulb to almost fill it, leaving a long enough "tail" protruding from the bottom to grab it.
Watch out for sharp parts or glass splinters
Step 3. Scrub the dust away
Grasping the tail of the paper towels, rotate them inside the bulb, thus removing the dust.
Dry paper towels usually work well, but if you have trouble cleaning it, wet them lightly and try again
Step 4. Fill the bulb with salt
If not all of the kaolin comes out, fill the bulb a quarter full with salt.
You will use the abrasiveness of the salt to clean up the corners of the bulb
Step 5. Shake the bulb
Carefully cover the bottom of the bulb and give it a nice shake. The salt should scrape off most of the last traces of kaolin.
- Insert your gloved thumb into the bottom of the bulb to prevent salt from going all over the place. You could also press a paper towel to the bottom for the same purpose.
- Throw away the salt when you fake it, don't reuse it.
Step 6. Go back to the paper napkins
If there is still some salt or kaolin in the bulb, use napkins to clean it up.
- The material inside the bulb should be loose enough by now that you can pick it up with the napkin.
- Once you're done with this step, the bulb is fully open, clean, and ready for whatever project you have in mind.
Advice
Empty bulbs can be used for numerous projects. For example, you can use the bulb as a showcase for a miniature, for a terrarium, as an ornament, oil lamp, jug, vase or sculpture
Warnings
- Never try to open a fluorescent light bulb. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) contain mercury. Mercury is safe in the bulb, but it can become very dangerous once opened.
- Protect your eyes and hands while you work. Always wear protective goggles or plain glasses and protect your hands by using thick gloves.
