Leigh Whitaker on tue 3 apr 07
So, sometimes when I'm glazing (pouring over) the glaze gets little bubbles
on the pot. It's usually if I do a second coat. When it dries the bubbles
are little holes or pits. I've been smoothing them over with my fingers or a
scrubbie once the glaze dries. Does this affect the finished glaze? It seems
like they smooth out okay in firing, but my glazing so far is still so hit
or miss that I might not notice if this is causing a problem. Should I do
something to prevent it or just keep smoothing it out? I don't know that the
glaze is too thick because even with two coats the pots still are looking a
little underglazed to me once they are fired.
I am just having the hardest time getting glaze thickness right. I reread
the pages in John and Ron's book, and I've been dipping my finger in and it
coats nicely. Can anyone say about how thick the glaze should be on the pot?
The thickness of a dime, a quarter, a millimeter, less, more? Or is this
just variable between ppl and specific glazes and I just have to keep trying?
On the bright side, I just got a mug back that was Licorice Black over
dipped with Waterfall and another mug that was Waterfall on the outside and
Caribbean Sea green on the inside with some overlap of the two, and they both look
really nice (at least the glaze does). Got lots of compliments on them (of
course I mentioned where I got the recipes)! I also made the White Satin
that's on the web page and it looks nice.
On the not so bright side, Caribbean sea green is green now, but it's not so
pretty. I added 2% bentonite to this batch, because it was hard panning
like a SOB. I did the test where I increased the rutile (6%, 8%, 10%) and I saw
a little bit of difference, but even the 6% was greener this time. It may
be getting the glaze thickness right still that's causing it not to be so
pretty.
Also, could someone tell me if my posts have the respond to address as
Clayart or to me personally? I don't get my own posts so I don't know.
And one more thing, I just want to say that I really appreciate all the
advice I get here. Even questions that other people ask, I read avidly, even if
I don't think it's something I'm interested in. I usually end up being
interested (except for the ice skating questions- LOL). You all are so nice and
helpful.
Leigh
************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Ron Roy on mon 9 apr 07
Hi Leigh,
Those pits are from bubbles in the bucket - you can stir different ways to
get fewer if you try. The best glazes will smooth out naturally - I would
just ignore them - if they become a problem we can change a glaze to make
it flow more.
Each glaze may want a different thickness. Make some tiles for testing and
put a glaze on some thin, medium and thicker - two sets fire one set and
keep the other unfired - you can then scratch through the glaze and "see"
how thick it should be for the best results. Next time you glaze- dip some
bisque in to see if the thickness is right - adjust the glaze to the right
thickness and glaze your pots.
Getting the glaze the right thickness is important - you will like your
pots better when you get it figured out.
RR
>So, sometimes when I'm glazing (pouring over) the glaze gets little bubbles
>on the pot. It's usually if I do a second coat. When it dries the bubbles
>are little holes or pits. I've been smoothing them over with my fingers or a
>scrubbie once the glaze dries. Does this affect the finished glaze? It seems
>like they smooth out okay in firing, but my glazing so far is still so hit
>or miss that I might not notice if this is causing a problem. Should I do
>something to prevent it or just keep smoothing it out? I don't know that the
>glaze is too thick because even with two coats the pots still are looking a
>little underglazed to me once they are fired.
>
>I am just having the hardest time getting glaze thickness right. I reread
>the pages in John and Ron's book, and I've been dipping my finger in and it
>coats nicely. Can anyone say about how thick the glaze should be on the pot?
>The thickness of a dime, a quarter, a millimeter, less, more? Or is this
>just variable between ppl and specific glazes and I just have to keep trying?
>
>On the bright side, I just got a mug back that was Licorice Black over
>dipped with Waterfall and another mug that was Waterfall on the outside and
>Caribbean Sea green on the inside with some overlap of the two, and they
>both look
>really nice (at least the glaze does). Got lots of compliments on them (of
>course I mentioned where I got the recipes)! I also made the White Satin
>that's on the web page and it looks nice.
>
>On the not so bright side, Caribbean sea green is green now, but it's not so
>pretty. I added 2% bentonite to this batch, because it was hard panning
>like a SOB. I did the test where I increased the rutile (6%, 8%, 10%) and
>I saw
>a little bit of difference, but even the 6% was greener this time. It may
>be getting the glaze thickness right still that's causing it not to be so
>pretty.
>
>Also, could someone tell me if my posts have the respond to address as
>Clayart or to me personally? I don't get my own posts so I don't know.
>Leigh
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Leigh Whitaker on tue 10 apr 07
In a message dated 4/10/2007 12:04:31 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
ronroy@CA.INTER.NET writes:
Hi Leigh,
Those pits are from bubbles in the bucket - you can stir different ways to
get fewer if you try. The best glazes will smooth out naturally - I would
just ignore them - if they become a problem we can change a glaze to make
it flow more.
Each glaze may want a different thickness. Make some tiles for testing and
put a glaze on some thin, medium and thicker - two sets fire one set and
keep the other unfired - you can then scratch through the glaze and "see"
how thick it should be for the best results. Next time you glaze- dip some
bisque in to see if the thickness is right - adjust the glaze to the right
thickness and glaze your pots.
Getting the glaze the right thickness is important - you will like your
pots better when you get it figured out.
RR
Thanks, I will try the thickness test as soon as I make some tiles.
Leigh
************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
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