primalmommy on wed 20 oct 04
--- In clayart@yahoogroups.com, Mary Allen wrote:
> Is it possible to refire already glazed stoneware that has been fired
to Cone 6? If so, how would this best be accomplished?
Mary, is it glazed work, or unglazed?
If it was supposed to be bisque and got overfired, I would just start
over and make more. It has vitrified and the surface is no longer
"thirsty", and no matter what tricks you might find in the clayart
archives, you won't get enough glaze to stay on those pots to make
anything very pretty.
If they have already been glazed, and you just don't like the way they
turned out, you can dip them in another coat of glaze -- sometimes by
warming them first, or by using the dozen tricks in the archives -- and
firing them again to see what happens. put a bit of broken shelf or a
clay pattie underneath in case it runs.
If they have been used for food, run through a dishwasher, or left
outside, THEY WILL EXPLODE in your kiln, due to water inthe clay body -
- and nothing is worse than a GLAZED pot exploding. It will stick
forever, or be chipped off taking a chunk with it, wherever in the kiln
it lands. Never mind how I know this ;0)
Even reglazed pots should be left on the lid of a firing kiln before
firing -- from beginning of the firing to the end, stacked around the
rim so not to stress the lid. It's the only way to make sure they are
really dry.
Our fearless leader will tell you it's easier to make new pots than to
try to salvage failed ones, but it's not so simple with beginners, with
elaborate handbuilt work or pots little kids made for mom. So give it a
try, but lower your expectations for success... and while they are
firing, set about making the next batch, and the next. Sheer volume is
everything! Even the fanciest kiln can't improve your pots.. making more
pots and more pots can.
Good luck to you!
Yours
Kelly in Ohio
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