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kiln wash residue

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 10:56 am
by Michael Stevens
I got some grain pattern on.my glass bowl and some kiln wash won't seems imbedded, is the only solution to sandblast or etch cream and then fire pollish)
, if fire polish should I out it back. in the mold? will the shape be ruined if fire pollish

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 2:33 pm
by Joyce Walters
First try scrubbing to get the kiln wash off. If that does not work then sandblasting should work. You will have a matte finish. Placing the bowl back in mold will not fire polish the back uniformly if at all. Lots of luck.
We hope all is well with you, and that some sense of normal is slowly coming back.
Joyce

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:41 pm
by Michael Stevens
I've never fire polished something. just wondered how it would keep it's shape if heat up to. fire polish it. if I. put the bowl. upside down on the kiln shelf wouldn't it just flatten if I heated it up to. fire polish it? is there a way to keep the glossy finish and not ruin the bowl?

part of my problem is my kiln shelves have slight imperfections, so I layer kiln wash to compensate, maybe I need to smooth my kiln wash better. I sometimes get little white flecks embedded. which is annoying to remove. I could try to sand down my kiln shelves but I don't have any equipment that could sand them.

I have no access to commercial kiln wash, and kiln paper here isn't smooth that leaves an embedded pattern.

I miss being in USA where I can get all high quality mayetiso and tools. it's taken me 7. months to get everything I need here, between pottery and cooking supply I've sourced most things.

life here is weird, all streets are blocked and guarded, you aren't allowed to have guests. but being locked inside gives more time to do art.,

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 7:10 pm
by Marty
Where is "here"?

All you need for the kiln shelves is sandpaper. Wet. Or dry with a good vacuum cleaner (and a face mask).
If you go to fire polish temps (1300F+) and your piece is not in the mold, it will deform. You need to support it.
One of the drawbacks to kilnforming is that you only get one easy side.

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 7:50 pm
by Michael Stevens
I'm currently living in Beijing. it's so hard to. get good quality things here. I've wasted about 1000 dollars on faulty equipment and materials.

I miss being able to create things in the US. it was so easy to get what I need. but I'm learning to make everything myself. making molds is probably the hardest thing. i. don't even know what pottery plaster would be called, they only seem to make regular plaster. I made some molds from clay. but I'm not great at pottery.

I've made a lot of nice pieces but not sure they are marketable with the slight imperfections.

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 3:16 pm
by Joyce Walters
Hi again Michael.
Can you find good sandpaper?
Can you receive packages?
Perhaps I can send fiber paper for some of the kiln shelf problems after shelves are sanded level.
Paper is light weight so postage should be cheap enough if customs fee isn't too expensive. I will try to check post office info.
Joyce

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 4:12 pm
by Joyce Walters
Hi Michael.
What are the floor dimensions of your kiln(s)?
Kiln paper comes 5" by 5".
10" by 10".
20.5" by 20.5".
Looks like rolls could be problematic to ship vs large flat envelope.
Flat is easiest, USPS international.
Joyce

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:20 pm
by Michael Stevens
thanks Joyce very kind of you.
I have a belt sander, so will try and smooth the shelves down. but as I live in Beijing I don't have space in my apartment to be blowing dust everywhere so I didn't want to do it unless necessary.


my shelves are 12x12. inches. I've thought about ordering thinfire or papyrus from Amazon, but shipping things can take a few months now.

my kiln wash recipe isnt as good as the commercial, I have to reapply everytime I full fuse and it's very powdery, I am using 60x40 recipe but its very flaky, maybe I could get a grainier alumina. I've tried painting it on thinner and do multiple layers on hot shelf that works better but time consuming. but I'll. keep trying.

there really aren't any shortcuts. better to take the time to get better results.
and kaoilin.

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 1:37 pm
by Joyce Walters
Lots of luck with these difficult tools, molds and kiln wash.
If you want some kiln paper I will gladly send it to you because I have it.
beadedpony@bigsky.net
Joyce

Re: kiln wash residue

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 2:04 pm
by Brad Walker
Michael,

According to the MSDS, Bullseye thinfire paper is manufactured in Japan by LINTEC Corporation under the name "Paper Ceraform M. " I don't know how difficult it is for you to get product from Japan, but if you want to try, LINTEC's contact information is on this MSDS: https://www.warm-glass.co.uk/images/pdf ... 0Sheet.pdf