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burnishing bisqueware???

updated sun 30 jun 96

 

Vince Pitelka on thu 27 jun 96

Bill -

In regards to your suggestion that I try burnishing slip-coated bisquewqare, I
cannot imagine that this would work. The entire principle behind burnishing
has to do with the resiliency of the slightly damp clay surface, and bisqueware
does not have that resiliency. Also, the porous bisque surface would absorb
moisture much faster than hard-leather-hard or bone-dry clay, and you would
have trouble maintaining the moisture necessary for burnishing. I expect that
as soon as you tried to burnish the slip coating it would flake off. My
recommendation is that if one wants a burnish-like surface which is more
durable, then coat the pot with multiple coats of proper terra sig when bone
dry, and buff to a high shine, and then bisque to ^08. Why don't you try the
bisque-burnishing and let us know what happens.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - wkp0067@tntech.edu
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN

Vince Pitelka on sat 29 jun 96

Sharon -

What you refer to (applying slip to a bisque piece and then getting a shine
with a soft brush) is polishing, as one would do with terra sig, but it is not
burnishing. Burnishing requires rubbing with a hard smooth tool, and I am
sceptical that this could work on a bisque-fired piece. I am awaiting a post
to the contrary.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - wkp0067@tntech.edu
Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN