Bubbles are magically-delicious

Posted under A Geek Dad's Life, Blog Posts

Geek dad.  Must over-complicate!  They call me… Complexitor!

When I saw a video of Sterling Johnson blowing enormous bubbles, and I knew at that very moment what I wanted to do when I retire.  Since I will probably never actually retire, I decided to just get this little itch out of the way right now.  No time like the present, and all things are possible with the vast compendium of knowledge called… the interwebs.  Read on about the details!

Just search Google for “giant bubble solution j-lube” and you will find a rich list of recipes and advice.  Why J-Lube?  Because it contains a polyethylene polymer that provides better bubbles through chemistry!  That ingredient seems to be the differentiator between ‘just OK’ and ‘much better.’  It might also just be a bunch of hogwash, but how often do you have the opportunity to purchase an agricultural veterinary obstetrical hand lubricant?  (Be warned: Don’t search the internet for J-Lube with children looking over your shoulder; it is also apparently used in certain non-mainstream human adult interpersonal physical activities, the subjects of which are not suitable for discussion with children.)

Instructables.com has a good tutorial on how to make a big bubble maker-thing similar to my device, and they also have a recipe very similar to what I chose.

Keep reading on the internets, and you will discover some amazing bubble artists devoted to their crafts, blowing bubble chains, bubbles in bubbles, touch tricks, and more.  I am an amateur hack compared to the pros, and their entertainment careers are not at risk from the likes of me.

Partial Shopping List

So, here’s an abbreviated list of what you need. (A more complete list of instructions and materials is available at Instructables.com):

• Two PVC or bamboo poles as long as you like.
• You need to hand braid three lengths of cotton packing string.  The braided cotton string will absorb the bubble solution from the bucket and will serve as a reservoir as the bubbles form.  You need enough string to form a large loop.  There does not appear to be any standard size for these bubble makers, though bigger is not always better.
• You also need some lengths of string to attach the braided string to the poles.
• A drill to put holes in the poles to run the linking string through.
• A pot to mix the solution
• Measuring utensils.
• A Milk jug to store the solution (when it has cooled)
• A bucket to dip your string/loop thing in.
• Some old towels to wipe up your mess.
• Paint impeller/mixing attachment

The Formula.  Mwuhahahah!

Here’s the recipe as I’m currently formulating it:

Item	1.5 gal version	1/2 gallon version
Distilled water (boiling)	1.5 gal	2 litres (.52 gallons)
J-Lube powder	1/2 teaspoon	1/5 teaspoon
Surgilube/KY/Equate	4.5 oz	1.6 oz
Glycerine (by Humco)	1/4 cup	4.2 teaspoons
Dawn	16 oz.	5.6 oz
Dawn Manual Pot/Pan	1/2 cup	8.5 teaspoons

Notes:

• I have decided to forgo the “Dawn Manual Pot & Pan Detergent” because it is expensive, hard to find, and the solution seems to be OK without it.
• J-Lube is available from suppliers on E-Bay.  $12 worth will last you forever and ever.
• Some sites and instructions recommend bringing the distilled water to a near boil, removing from heat, then mixing in the components.  This would be VERY hot, and terribly dangerous if spilled or splashed.  I personally do not recommend heating your water to boiling.  If you decide to heat your water, No kids or pets allowed in the kitchen or working area!!!
• Some sites suggest that letting the bubble solution ‘age’ overnight helps.  I haven’t found any difference.  I suspect it might have more to do with the humidity and time of day than anything else.
• The Glycerine is definitely a key component, and it is available in small bottles at Walmart – in the pharmacy/beauty section.  Just ask the pharmacist.  The lady at our local Walmart knew exactly where it was.  I’ve heard that white Karo syrup also works, though not as well.
• Never add salt to your solution.  There are some sites that suggest doing so, but they are under the mistaken impression that salt = sodiumwhatevercylate.  There is plenty of that stuff in the dish washing detergent.

It’s Not the Heat; It’s the Humidity

The same bubble solution that works great one day might work terribly the next.  Humidity is a real factor, and direct sunlight on a hot dry day will end your fun really quick.  Dust and other particulates can also play a factor in the death of your bubbles.

Even on the perfect day with the perfect bubble solution and the perfect bubble wand, your bubbles are subjected to the forces of gravity’; they will float to the ground, so…

Aim High

Start your bubbles high with long poles, or position yourself at the top of a gentle hill with the wind blowing downhill.  There are many public parks and college campuses with perfects hills.  So far, our smaller bubbles can travel up to 50 yards over a gentle slope, but our bigger bubbles have a much shorter distance/lifespan of around 20 feet.

Sheer cliffs and bridges are dangerous and never appropriate for kids or pets, especially when bubbles are involved.  Kids and pets will become distracted by the bubbles and will lose track of the edge.  The kids and pets will see the bubbles continue to float over the edge and will not be aware of the edge of the cliff.

While we’re on the subject of kids, be sure that they have their own tools and their own solution to keep them busy.  They won’t stay entertained by the big bubbles for long, and they will want to blow their own bubbles.  You do not want them sticking their grimy, grass-covered hands in your pristine bubble solution, and you don’t want them to froth up your bucket of solution by swishing their bubble wands in it.

Think Like A Hot Air Balloonist

If you fill your bubble with warm air and float it over cool air, the bubble will rise.  The opposite is also true – cold air bubbles will sink in hot air.  Experiment with parking lots and bodies of water to see if you can find the perfect thermal lift.

Good luck, and let me know how you’re doing in the comments!