Hello,

I've searched the forum for advice on bubble mixes but, haven't had anything turn up about the German brand 'Pustefix'. I'm using it primarily for smoke filling and bouncing onto table surfaces. I've had mixed results with home made brews and was hoping for something a little stronger. Anyone used the Pustefix brand? http://www.fishpond.com.au/Toys/Pustefix......48697214

I do understand that room temps, air cons, wind affect bubbles but, am after advice on a good bubble mix

Thanks!

Hello,

I have done some bubble mixes that haave worked pretty well for me. This solution is good if there are no kids handeling the bubbles. The solution is very simple:

50% water
40% baby shampoo (I have always used Jhonsons)
10% glycerin

Some people use distilled water instead of normal water but I have never tried, you can give it a try if you like.

The glycerin is what makes the bubble strong so if they are weak you can add a little bit more and try.

If I can help you in anything else just ask.

Regards

Hello Fujur

Thank you for your reply. I have tried a similar mixture to yours but, I was told to boil the water and add gelatin to it...maybe the extra ingredient was why it didn't work! I will be trying your mixture. You mix them into cold water? Also, how long do you usually let them sit before they are at full strength? May I ask, are you able to bounce yours off a glove? Or have them fall onto a table top without popping?

I appreciate your advice!
Cheers,
Pete

Hello again,

What do you mean when you ask:"how long do you usually let them sit before they are at full strength?" (sorry I am spanish and my english is not perfect)

I can bounce the bubbles a lot, even have them in the table for some time till I break them (easily more than a minute I really have not checked how long they last). The important thing is that they have to touch some clothing (I think that the best is something cotton made).

I have made some of this bubbles solution for magicians doing some dirk lossanders stuff (he came here for a lecture and we learnt a lot from him) and have used the same solution for some close up magic doing one of Mirko´s routines with coins and bubbles.

Cheers!

I probably wasn't clear with my question. Do you need to let the bubble mix sit for a couple of days/weeks before use so that they are strong or is it instantly ready to use? And do you mix the solution in cold water or boil?

So roughly to make a litre of mix

500 ml water
400 ml shampoo
100 ml glycerin

yes I have a Losander effect and this would be very useful. When the bubbles burst, do yours leave a white foam behind? The reason I ask is because they tend to leave residue on the IT

Thanks again Fujur

I don't have to let the solution sit and its ready to use straight away. When I do the solution I use any container and add 5 parts of water, 4 parts of shampoo and 1 part of glycerin. For me it´s very important to use the Baby Shampoo.

Yeah they usually leave a residue when they burst(glycerin) So if there is too much residue maybe the solution has too much glycerin. Its helpful don't use with the IT the first bubble that usually has too much water and it´s too heavy. Its better to use the second one (or even the third) without weting the "straw" you use to make the bubbles.

What is good is before you use the solution always mix softly the solution and be careful if you don't use the solution in a long time because the water in it can dry up.

I have never boiled the water for the solution but I don't think it affects too much, you can give it a try.

I hope it helps you.

Thank you Fujur you're a good man! I understand things a lot more now thanks to you

Hello Peterd,

Tom Noddy has an effective recipe on his site tomnoddy.com/kids.html. There is a recipe also at The Spengler Effect - the science of bubbles.

Spengler is a TV educational science journalist/broadcaster.

Tom Noddy pretty much 'invented'/introduced the science and magic of bubbles to the world public 30-40 years back. Both recipes are serviceable.

Distilled water is preferable - to purify it from crap in local water supplies - impurities increase the likelihood bubbles burst sooner rather than later.

Glycerine is used to thicken the mixture, so the bubble's structure is more stable and longer-lasting. Yes, we do need to wait 24 hours for the glycerine, water and soap mix to combine sufficiently.

dry material bursts bubbles: wet does NOT burst bubbles!!!!. Wet molecules combine !!!! Will help if you learn a little basic physics about spheres and the differences between wet and dry, pure water and orange juice/beer/etcetera.....Both Tom Noddy and the Spengler fella will give sufficient science knowledge to assist aspiring bubble magicians......

Happy bubbling...check out Keither Johnson also: http://www.KJohnson.info
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If anyone hears of how to fabricate a hand-held, low watts, on-off, fog-machine give me a bell, please.

Hi Peterd

The link to Pusterfix is suspect. Tom Noddy is sure the original German firm that made the original mixture is out of business; and that the mixture now marketed under the Pustefix name is a pale imitation 'knock-off'.