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hot wax resist question

updated mon 2 feb 04

 

Linda Pahl on thu 29 jan 04


Hi all.

I've decided to try using hot wax resist to create decorative brush
strokes on top of glazes. I use a small electric frying pan that has a
low setting and the mixture I've tried does not smoke when kept at low
and melts well:

1 lb. canning paraffin
1/4 cup baby oil
1/4 cup lamp oil

I've checked the archives and read about the dangers of this and have
taken heed. I have a respectful fear of both the possibility of
ignition and the dangers of fumes. The mixture does not smoke at the
low setting of my electric frying pan and I work in a well ventilated
area; also I will never leave the hot wax unattended.

Having no experience with hot wax I found that the mixture I use flows
well but seems a bit soft. I want to have an undercoat of glaze (say
Randy's) that I then cover with a decorative brush stroke. Then I want
to remove any glaze that is not coated by the wax and add another glaze
for contrast.

When I went to remove the uncoated glaze with a soft sponge not only
did the uncovered glaze come off but the wax resist came off as well.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on a better ratio of wax to oil to get
an application that flows well, dries quickly and can withstand a
sponge wiping to remove uncovered glaze.

Or, perhaps the problem is that I did not wait long enough for the
glaze to dry completely, though it was certainly dry to the touch.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Regards,

Linda Pahl, Kew Gardens, New York

TheClosetPotter@earthlink.net

(I throw on my wheel in my hall closet; the only possible solution in
this tiny apartment!)

http://home.earthlink.net/~jessieadair/tests/

claybair on fri 30 jan 04


Linda,

The technique you described traditionally
uses shellac. This also would eliminated the
danger of using hot wax.


Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

-----Original Message-----
From:Linda Pahl
snip<
Having no experience with hot wax I found that the mixture I use flows
well but seems a bit soft. I want to have an undercoat of glaze (say
Randy's) that I then cover with a decorative brush stroke. Then I want
to remove any glaze that is not coated by the wax and add another glaze
for contrast.

When I went to remove the uncoated glaze with a soft sponge not only
did the uncovered glaze come off but the wax resist came off as well.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on a better ratio of wax to oil to get
an application that flows well, dries quickly and can withstand a
sponge wiping to remove uncovered glaze.

Or, perhaps the problem is that I did not wait long enough for the
glaze to dry completely, though it was certainly dry to the touch.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Regards,

Linda Pahl, Kew Gardens, New York

TheClosetPotter@earthlink.net

(I throw on my wheel in my hall closet; the only possible solution in
this tiny apartment!)

http://home.earthlink.net/~jessieadair/tests/

Bonnie Staffel on sat 31 jan 04


Hi all, Seems that I used shellac at one time when I wanted to wipe away
whatever was not resisted. I also did this to get a raised section on the
clay and wiped away the clay around the decoration. However, doesn't seem
like the glaze is stable enough base to handle this kind of treatment.
Perhaps the water on the sponge is migrating under the wax which would tend
to release the wax IMHO.

Bonnie Staffel of Charlevoix, where it is snowing every day.

Russel Fouts on sun 1 feb 04


Linda

>> Having no experience with hot wax I found that the mixture I use flows well but seems a bit soft. I want to have an undercoat of glaze (say Randy's) that I then cover with a decorative brush stroke. Then I want to remove any glaze that is not coated by the wax and add another glaze for contrast. When I went to remove the uncoated glaze with a soft sponge not only did the uncovered glaze come off but the wax resist came off as well. <<

Do it the other way around paint your design in wax resist, glaze the
pot, melt off the wax resist, wax around the design and glaze it. No
scrubbing involved.

Russel
--
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75

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