Michael Henderson on sun 28 jul 96
Hi all..... Well, I made a terrible mistake and got talked into doing
something that I would NEVER have done if I knew what was "goin down". An
artist here and teacher at the local college, asked me to help out one of
his painting students to see if he could save some of his pitfired pieces
which had been through a fire. Well, I said I weould try... This is what
happened... turns out the "student" is actually a professional "repairer" of
indian pots. His brother has an auction house out here and sells the
"repaired" pots. He repairs them with glue and acrylic paint and plaster to
rebuild handles. What I thought I could do was bring some of his
polychromes back to bisk to remove their smoke damage and some of his Black
ware back to bisk to remove evidence of re-oxidation in the fire. I'm
disgusted that I said I would help when I found out that these were not his
personal beloved pots. But I said I would and now, I guess, I have to. My
concern? what will glue do to my kiln? I'm assuming I'll have to throw
some little saggers to put them in so, if they go, they won't wreck each
other or my kiln. I'm planning to just saw the "whiting" handle off the pot
before I refire so I don't fire it at all. Should I "saw" off the glued
parts too? I do not believe I can fire plaster, am I right? I'm also
planning on going super slow on these things and only to a very low cone...
would 018 be hot enough to take out the smoke marks on the polychromes?
I'm just disgusted.
I felt sorry for this guy who had "lost" his prized and beautiful pots in
a fire.... Live and Learn Emily, in Astoria where the weatherman says it's
sunny... but it's not, it's raining. I know it's raining, I've seen rain
before.
laurenb on mon 29 jul 96
Michael Henderson wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
What I thought I could do was bring some of his
> polychromes back to bisk to remove their smoke damage and some of his Black
> ware back to bisk to remove evidence of re-oxidation in the fire.
> concern? what will glue do to my kiln? I'm assuming I'll have to throw
> some little saggers to put them in so, if they go, they won't wreck each
> other or my kiln. I'm planning to just saw the "whiting" handle off the pot
> before I refire so I don't fire it at all. Should I "saw" off the glued
> parts too? I do not believe I can fire plaster, am I right? I'm also
> planning on going super slow on these things and only to a very low cone...
> would 018 be hot enough to take out the smoke marks on the polychromes?
No matter how slow you go, the pots will probably fall apart. Glue's
cannont take the heat. Firing plaster will turn it back into powdered
plaster of paris. The heat can remove smoke damage but will probably
destroy the pots in the process. You can also try slow heating surface
spots with a small propane torch, but it will still break down the glue
and plaster, but you can be selective about where you apply the heat.
I'd try spot cleaning with mild abrasive cleanser first. Some other
chemical solutions you can consider trying would include lye (found in
drain cleaners) "CLR", and even glass etching creme, which will take off
the top most layer of pot along with what ever is attached. All
chemicals should be used with extreme care. Gloves, face shields, etc.
try in small hidden areas first. Let us know what you tried and how it
worked. Good luck.
Lauren
Elca Branman on mon 29 jul 96
Circumstances change commitments...I see nothing wrong in your telling
this person that you didn't realize that this was not a personal
collection, that you are concerned about the glue, and that you have
changed your mind...
Its the equivalent of saying"I misunderstood" and there s no shame in
that....
Elca Branman elcab1@juno.com
CaroleER@aol.com on tue 30 jul 96
In a message dated 96-07-28 23:46:30 EDT, you write:
> But I said I would and now, I guess, I have to.
No you don't! If you were mislead or not given the whole truth and you have
an ethical (as well as equipment) problem with what is the truth, you're sure
not obligated! You agreed to something totally else. It's the other person
who should feel guilty - not you so don't be taken advantage of!
Carole Rishel
Bastrop, TX
CaroleER@aol.com
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