Stephani Stephenson on sun 16 nov 03
Paul
I just applied ITC 213 to elements. I did not receive any instructions
with the material
I read everything I could find in the archives and also did a search for
ITC.
The instructions I used were the CLAYART itc post by mel from the
archives, and ITC instructions I downloaded from supplier website
the 2 sets of instructions did not really agree in all cases.
Instructions DO matter when you are dealing with a new material and a
new process for the first time.
The ITC for elements is not like anything else I have ever done to kiln
elements. in fact the old wisdom was to not do anything to them at all
So I had a lurking feeling that maybe it was not a good thing to do to
new elements, especially, since the
instructions that come with new elements
tell you to fire once so that the 'protective coat' can form.... and
here I was bleaching and scrubbing and dipping before any of that even
happened
Nothing was mentioned about heating the elements first inside a kiln, in
ITC's instructions, rather than using bleach.
As to thinning , the 'official' ITC instructions in fact, instruct you
NOT to thin the ITC 213,
whereas mel tell you to thin it.
I had seen mel put ITC on elements, and remembered the consistency to
be about like 1% milk.
So i decided to ignore the official instruction, and thinned it down.
But then there is always a bit of trepidation when one decides against
manufacturer's instructions from the outset.
So I would LOVE to see a bit more consistency in the information.
I went ahead and thinned it. I put the elements into a 1 to 1 bleach
water solution, as per ITC instructions, scrubbed them with a brush,
patted and let them drip dry, I also did not know whether remnants of
the bleach solution would in some way interfere with the ITC, as
nothing was mentioned about rinsing them AFTER the bleach solution OR
wetting them before ITC immersion.
then I did the "slide em through a catch pan" method rather than the
"shake and bake" method....hung to dry. then installed.
I must admit I am a bit nervous reading the post about the itc burning
through in areas where it is TOO thick, but if this is true, I certainly
would want to see that info ahead of time.
I also have small ceramic rods /pins which are inserted into the inner
part of the elements' coil
there is no doubt that the ceramic rods/pins are probably in direct
contact with the elements in some places.
And I thinned the ITC but ,not having experience with it before, don't
know if it was still too thick or not.
So time will tell if it was the right thing to do.
I did get advice not to put ITC 100 on the pins/rods themselves, the
ones inside the elements, and so I did not.
but you see, since it is a new material and process, good information
and instructions really are important
especially since there is conflicting info...one person says, 'o heck
it isn't rocket science , just get the stuff on" and another says,"you
must get it exactly right or it doesn't work properly .
So it is quite understandable that people trying it for the first time
are a bit uncertain and looking for good information. It is expensive
stuff, so you do want to get it right the first time.
Stephani Stephenson
steph@alchemiestudio.com
Paul B on sun 16 nov 03
The points i mentioned about putting the new elements in a bisque firing
before coating and thinning the 213 with 1/3 the amount of water were told
to me by Feriz, the person who invented the product and the owner of ITC. I
called him twice before i sprayed the interior of my car kiln, again before
i sprayed my shelves, and again before i coated the elements in my electric
kiln and everything i pass on to anyone on or off list about the
application of ITC is based directly on what he told me.
Paul B
Falmouth, KY
Stephani Stephenson on mon 17 nov 03
now ,there is even more complete info in the archives on this subject,
which is good.
Thanks mel for your ever vigilant and helpful information and thanks to
others who post their experience.
The anecdotal information found on this list is VERY helpful
I ended up using a kitty litter pan(new!) and one of those small immersible
handheld kitchen blenderrs to mix and remix the ITC 213 right in the pan .
I will say that the ITC 213 seemed to cling readily to everything it
touched
it dried a bit on the plastic mixer and the pan and it has taken a
couple of hard scrubbings to remove it.
Stephani Stephenson
Carlsbad CA
steph@alchemiestudio.com
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