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refiring after applying polishing wax

updated mon 20 nov 06

 

firedup on sat 18 nov 06


I have not found anything about this in the archives, so i'll throw out =
the question.
I have been using Butchers bowling alley wax to polish smoke fired =
pieces and it gives a lovely result. I would really like to re-oxidize =
one piece and start over so the question is is that a problem?. I =
remember reading somewhere to be careful about the fumes from Beeswax. =
If I use something like de-natured alcohol to remove as much as i can =
from the surface and then re-bisque in a kiln with an enviro-vent, am i =
courting a significant hazard or other problem. I have also considered =
taking a propane torch to the piece to burn it off the surface. Some of =
these waxes have flammable written on the can or the fumes can be =
problematic so I want to be cautious.=20

Would love to hear the feedback.
Bev

WJ Seidl on sun 19 nov 06


Bev:
If you have a kiln vent going when you re-fire, I wouldn't worry so much
about the fumes. By all means, turn that vent on at the beginning of the
firing.
What _would_ worry me is the carbon that is going to be left when the wax
burns off. It's probably going to turn that piece black, destroying any of
the smoke effect you enjoy.

If you can, try a test tile first or a piece you no longer care for. See if
the refiring leaves you with a result you can live with.

Best,
Wayne Seidl

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of firedup
Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2006 6:14 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: refiring after applying polishing wax

I have not found anything about this in the archives, so i'll throw out the
question.
I have been using Butchers bowling alley wax to polish smoke fired pieces
and it gives a lovely result. I would really like to re-oxidize one piece
and start over so the question is is that a problem?. I remember reading
somewhere to be careful about the fumes from Beeswax. If I use something
like de-natured alcohol to remove as much as i can from the surface and then
re-bisque in a kiln with an enviro-vent, am i courting a significant hazard
or other problem. I have also considered taking a propane torch to the
piece to burn it off the surface. Some of these waxes have flammable written
on the can or the fumes can be problematic so I want to be cautious.

Would love to hear the feedback.
Bev

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