Re: Turpentine dissolves stuck pitch

Andrew,
Too messy! You could have just stuck it in the frig and then the freezer, pitch is easily stripped from a lap when frozen. Chances are your mirror might have separated without destroying your lap as well. Try it next time in a plastic bag to recycle your pitch.

Ed

Andrew,
Yes you'll probably not see this in print anywhere. I never stick my mirror to my lap but did once years ago. I would stick them in a plastic bag in the frig. for an hour and then in the freezer. Try to separate them every half hour or so, they will eventually separate. I always strip my pitch laps I'm done with by sticking them in the freezer. When pitch reaches freezer temperature put your hot hand on it and it cracks and pops like ice in hot water. Often you can take it off with your fingers, if not then a putty knife will take it off easily. When done empty the bag into your pitch pot. Keeping it in a bag keeps the mess down.
Another trick I know is my "pizza method" of making a pitch lap. If you're interested I can describe it for you.
Ed Jones