Poseyb@aol.com on wed 29 may 96
Tony
I do majolica and had a great deal of trouble with white spots in the past. I
am afraid to say that I have sloved the problem because the gods have a way
of getting back at you. But this is what I do.
First I get my clay from Highwater Clay in Ashville N.C. They make up Stanley
Anderson formula and for what ever its worth they sieve their fireclay thru
a 30 mesh sieve (I think thats correct #) . I live in New York and find
that its worth it to pay the shipping to help avoid problems with white
spots.
Also I fire very, very slowly. The kiln has a vent but I do not think that
makes a difference because I got bad spots using the same kiln in the past. I
leave the kiln on low over night and then fire for 11 to 12 hours the next
day to small 05 on the shelve. I try to take 3 to 4 hours from the time 08
goes down till 05 is bent. This is slowler than you,I think. That means that
I turn the kiln down at points if it starts to go to fast. It is almost like
I am soaking it all the way up. I also try to take an hour at the end between
06 bent and 05 bent. .I fire in a Bailey and I usually do not turn up past 6
or 7 .I never fire on high. I bisque to 06 flat. Linda Arbuckle says that
glaze thickness makes a difference so I try to use my glaze as thin as
possible and still get coverage. I know someone who puts white slip on the
pots so that they can use the glaze really thin and they say that it helps .
Hope this makes sense and helps.
Posey
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