Engine Optics Radiator Pipes - Made from Glass, FAQ's
Below is a list of questions we're frequently asked about our products. If you require more details, or have a question that is not answered here, please do get into contact with us either by emailing us or using our contact form
- 9. Diametre of pipes available?
- 10. No of bends available?
- 11. Colours of pipes?
- 12. Clamps and connectors?
- 13. Apparel?
- 14. Delivery times?
- 15. Returns?
Borosilicate (Wiki link) compries of a number of parts the first being about 70/ silica ,10/ boron oxide, 8/ sodium oxide, 8/ potassium oxide, 1/ calcium oxide (commonly lime), All of this when worked together becomes what we know in day to day life as PYREX, which we use around the home with out a thought.
Although it can be somewhat harder to manufacture, over time this has caused major glass companys to re-evaluate there processes and have found it to be more economical and with its exceeding properties of both heat and chemical resistence has now become one of the major utilities in many fields such as laboratory equipment, cookware lighting, etc.
Borosilicate has a very low thermal expansion, only about one third of ordinery glass which inturn all aids to its excellent thermal characteristics and will start to move under its own weight at around 590°C and will start too soften at around 820°C. In the unlikey event that thermal or actual shock occurs than borosilicate will tend not to shatter but is more likely to crack in to large pieces (i.e. It will snap rather then splinter).
2. What tempreture will it go up to?
All our glass is annealed after manufacture to regain its full potential, and it being able to with stand running temperatures upto and above 500°C
3. What is the psi tested too?
We tested our hoses to 70 PSI and found no issues at all with a standerd car running at about 14 PSI.
4. What is the colouring used?
To obtain the various colors depends on the types of antifreeze you use with the options of: red/pink, blue/green, blue, green. Customers have told us that colors can be enhanced by adding very small amounts of food coloring (We do not recommend that you add ANY food colouring to your own system, but of the customers who have, no unforseen results have occoured). Please always refer to manufacturers specifacations when adding/replacing any engine coolant.
5. What antifreeze colours are available?
In the UK we have three colours of anti-freeze, these being Blue, Red and Green; all of which will have slight variations to them. In some cases you will find the red may be a vivid pink or the blue may have a tint of green to it. Please always refer to manufacturers specifacations when adding/replacing any engine coolant.
When you receive your new custom made Engine Optics glass hose please offer it up to your existing hose on your vehicle and make a small mark on your ORIGINAL rubber hose with a biro pen at the points of which the main viewing area of the glass reduces (marked below).
(DO NOT CUT YOUR RUBBER HOSE TO THE SAME LENGTH AS THE OVERALL GLASS PIPE AS ABOUT AN EXTRA INCH IS REQUIRED AT BOTH ENDS FOR MOUNTING).
Take your stainless steel hose clamps (if you purchased them from us aswell!) open them up fully so they can be carefully slipped over your rubber hose, re-tighten snuggly around hose and position them on the inside edge on your pen mark so you can use them as a straight edge to cut against (we found this gives a nice straight cut).
(BEFORE YOU CUT YOUR HOSE, FOR SAFETY PLEASE MAKE SURE TO UNDO THE FILLER CAP AND RELEASE ANY PRESSURE, ALSO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ENGINE IS COLD.)
Once cut, install the glass hose and refill your coolant system to manufactures specifications and then watch what your engine is really doing.
All of our products are sold as show purpose only, and may void manufacturers warranties.
Our prices depend on individual pieces of glass and not a generic price that covers numerous lengths; so a 6" inch piece will be cheaper than an 8" inch piece. Please visit the shop or contact us to find out more.
9. Diametre of pipes available?
We can offer numerous sizes of glass whilst also offering all of the common sizes that can be found, please enquire accordingly.
Some restrictions can apply to the number and positioning of the bends fitted into a length of hose, in these situations we may find it more benificial to both parties to offer an alternative route.
Currently we are not offering any additional colors in the glass at present but will be looking into this shortly.
We have found that to compliment our product to it's full potential we only use high quality stainless steel high grip hose clamps. These can be purchased from us when ordering a hose or if you also need additional clamps around your engine bay. These clamps can be left in there manufactured finished or highly polished for that extra sparkle, we can also have them blacked to give a sleek subtle look around yor engine bay. Please enquire via e-mail or purchase direct from our shop section.
Currently we are producing various items from clothing to stickers, please visit our shop for more info.
As all of our hoses are hand made and demand can be high, we ask you to please be patiant, manufacture and delivery may take up to three or four weeks. We will keep you informed at every stage.
Please contact us regarding returns.
