Tommy Humphries on fri 29 jun 01
Reading some of the posts both pro and anti ITC, I feel that I should give
my opinion, since I personally have sprayed over 15 gallons of ITC 100 HT.
First off the main reasons for failure are too heavy an application...and
improper preparation of the surface to be sprayed.
When using 100 HT to coat an older fiber kiln (something I have been told is
not advisable because of failure) it is imperative that you loosen up the
surface as much as possible...wet it well, soaking. Then while wet beat the
heck out of it with whatever is handy (I use a rubber gloved fist) to break
down the hardened fibers. Wetting the fiber down before doing this will
eliminate any flying particles vastly reducing the dangers of working with
the fiber. After working over the surface to be treated, re wet if
necessary ( It shouldn't) and spray with a light coat of ITC letting it set
for 30 min or so. When the first coat is almost dry, lightly spray with
water again, and recoat with the same amount of product. Repeat one more
time and let dry thoroughly before firing.
The kiln in question had been fired 200+ times at the first application, and
the deterioration of the fiber halted upon application, and they have been
fired 100+ times since the treatment. The damage done to the kilns before
the application of ITC was such that much of the support structure inside
the fiber modules had become brittle, and had sagged to the extent that some
ongoing replacements have been necessary... but the fiber itself has held
its own nicely.
The procedure for new fiber is the same, leaving out the pounding.
As for 213, I have used it in a couple of locations on kilns, the most
notable was inside a rusting flue stack which was flaking rust down through
the flue into the kiln. Sanding and giving a quick coat of well thinned 213
has eliminated the problem (at least for now).
Another test (just for kix) of 213 was on some nicrome wire I used to tie a
peephole plug together with ( rolled some fiber up solid and twisted the
wire around to hold it together) I coated 2 of the wires with 213 and left
the third bare. The bare one was the furthest from the hot face of the
kiln. After a few firings the 213 apparently was rubbed from the wire, as
it was shiny instead of red, but after 2 months (30 firings) the two front
wires were still shiny and the rear (uncoated) looked like a year old kiln
element, dull gray and rough to touch.
On a whim I dipped a bolt in the 213 and fired it to ^6. It don't seem to
offer ordinary steel much protection at high temps, as the entire bolt was
crystallized and fragile.
These are just a few of my observations with ITC products, I am tickled with
it and will recommend it to anyone who asks.
Tommy Humphries
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