Questions & Answers
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Questions & Answers |
| Q- What is the color of steam chips? |
| A- A greyish metallic, pewter like. |
| Q- Can I dye or stain the steam chips for an on the body costume, sort of like sequins on a dress? We wish to spray finely atomized water on a long dress, for a party scene on Saturday Night Live. Another actor sprays water on the dress from an aerosol perfume bomb and the dress turns into a steamy mess. |
| A- CRAZY!! The crystals can be bonded to any material with spray glue or flexible solvent type, sizing agents, weave fillers, etc. It isn't practical to try and stain or paint the crystals. They won't absorb dyes or receive paint well. |
| Q- What is the best way to use steam chips? Should I pour the chips into water or water into the chips? |
| A- Either method works. It seems to work better by pouring water on the chips. |
| Q- How much water should I add to the chips? |
| A- Enough to immerse the chips and affect a reaction. Too much water will have a cooling effect and lessen the amount of steam generated. Approximately 1/4" to 1/2" of water on top of the chips is sufficient, a little testing will tell you what to do, how long it will take to get a reaction, how much steam is generated and how long it will keep steaming, its spread, etc. The water level is adjustable and becomes a critical aspect of the final result. |
| Q- Can I use steam chips on the skin for a horror movie? I want to vaporize an alien body. |
| A- Steam chips work well in a retaining cup, not directly on the skin, they get hot enough to burn skin tissue. Only if used on or in some form of prosthetic appliance, thus shielding the skin. |
| Q- Can I use steam chips to make clouds in a model? |
| A- Yes, with a little bit of wind to make a cloud pattern with movements and drift. A touch of fog fluid smoke or pyro smoke will add a believable touch of authenticity. |
| Q- Can I drink liquid heated up by steam chips? I saw a magician drink something from a cup steamed up by the chips. |
| A- NO! Do not drink or eat anything heated up by steam chips. This is an effects medium strictly for looks. The magician used a special double wall cup with a separate chamber where the water and steam chips were merged separately. This is a well made cup rigged to prevent any mixing of the liquid consumed. Its also a slight of hand tactic, the right angle, head pitch, etc. not for the movies. |
| Q- In a science fiction film I saw human flesh steaming and smoking from what looked like liquid acid eating the skin. I was told this was steam chips. How was this done? |
| A- A prosthetic appliance was produced from "E.Z. Plastic" polymer. A quick setting rigid plastic, a recess or slight depression retains the steam chips. They are covered over with "BIO PAPER" a rapid dissolving paper, everything is painted with an air brush to resemble the color of skin, water is either injected into the appliance through thin tubes or simply poured on the surface, the "BIO PAPER" rapidly dissolves and a bubbly steam accompanied by froth gives the appearance of hot acid eating, burning and destroying human flesh. The plastic appliance absorbs heat and prevents real flesh from getting a burn. The rigid appliance is tapered and feathered off. The profile is low and unnoticeable. This procedure calls for good mold making and an understanding of make up techniques. Done properly, it is a spectacular effect. |
| Q- I am a food stylist always striving for a natural soft looking steam. I have a commercial coming up where a bowl of rice must have steam, how do I set this up? |
| A- A layer or mound of rice is built up on top of a flat disc, i.e. perforated radiator grill, mesh or screening, this platform has holes so the steam can pass through the rice. Another technique is 1/4" diameter copper tubes, painted white. These tubes are soldered to a flat disc of metal. The metal disc with attached tubes is the supporting plate for the rice, the tubes are hidden from view with the rice. The steam generated in the bottom of the pot rises through the copper tubes and looks like the steam is actually coming through the rice. A mesh food strainer will also suffice for the rig. |
| Q- What ratio of chips and water do I make? |
| A- A good starting point is a level teaspoon of steam chips, place the chips in a retaining vessel, then add 1 oz. of tap water. You can add more chips if you like but a little goes a long way. |
| Q- What's a good holder for the steam chips? Can I use paper cups? |
| A- Almost anything can be used to hold the chips. I prefer to use a glass bowl, a metal lid from a wide mouth jar, a tin can or mixing bowl. Paper cups are o.k., some disposable cups are of inferior quality and must be tested to prevent leaks. |
| Q- Should I add the steam chips to water or water to the chips? |
| A- Not important what gets added to what. We prefer to add water to the chips for more control. |
| Q- How hot is the steam? Does the reaction get too hot to be held in the hand in a cup which makes steam? I am a clown and want to do a laboratory scene with steam coming out of a glass held in each hand. |
| A- The steam is low pressure, not very hot at all. You can move your hand through the steam without getting a scald. The cap won't get intolerably hot either, it should be held at the top of the glass. At its hottest point the steam chips generate about 175 degrees of heat. |
| Q- I need steam through a bowl of flat noodles. I can't hide the painted copper vent tubes, any other ideas? |
| A- Use clear plexiglass tubes, cut a clear plexi disc, drill holes through the disc the same diameter as the tubes, glue tubes to the plexi, steam will easily pass through the tubes and effect a natural look to just off the stove noodles. |
| Q- I need a lot of steam on a set coming from a radiator steam valve, how can I do this? |
| A- Not a practical application for steam chips. It would be better to use a steam generator with an inline solenoid valve for instantaneous quick steam. Steam chips are serviceable for many effects, more so for localized small area applications. Not to be used for street steam from sewer lids or large quantity steam simulation. |
| Q- Is it o.k. to breathe the steam? |
| A- Yes! You will detect a mild slightly ammoniated scent. Don't make a habit of sticking your face in the rising steam. Essentially what your breathing is condensed water. Anyone with allergies or hyper-sensitivity might be sensitive to the slight smell. It won't smell up the entire work place. We prefer to work near an exhaust fan or continuing fresh air source, steam, smoke, or fog all warrant safety consideration and respect. Some people are sensitive to any form of steam even in its purest, cleanest form. |
| Q- I saw another form of smoke or steam used on hot roasted corn. It was used with the steam chips for a combined steam/smoke effect. Two different liquids were brushed on the ears of corn and a fine misty smoke immediately rose into the air. What was that? They said it was a secret. |
| A- Simply our two part A/B Smoke. Also available as a paste for paint on applications, produces a misty vapor like fog, applied with an eye dropper syringe or dabbed on with swabs or brushes. Each component is applied next to one another as side by side stripes. By blowing or waving an air stream across the stripes, a vapor of steamy smoke will immediately rise and hang gently in the air. Refer to our price sheet for details. A detailed bulletin accompanies this product. |
| Q- Our steam chips don't generate steam the way they use to. We also wait a long time for the reaction to take place. |
| A- Moisture contamination dramatically affects the chemical response of the medium. Be certain to seal the steam chips immediately after opening. One simple solution is to add table salt to the water portion, let the salt dissolve thoroughly in the water. Sodium Chloride peps up the steam chips for a quick kick. A starting point is 1 teaspoonful of salt to 8 oz. of water. This can be varied to suit your needs. But is dependent upon how sluggish the steam chips are when you add the water with the salt premixed in the water. If its still slow add more water, if too hot then you put too much slat in the water. A little testing will give you a good balance. |
| Some people sprinkle dry salt in with the steam chips before they add the water. The amount of water you use is also very critical in how quickly the steam chips generate steam. |
copyright Zeller International & Catskill Computer Services, 2000 |