new thinfire sticks

[paulajane]

I was searcing the archives for an answer and came upon a similar problem but it did not discuss a solution. I am hoping someone has an idea so I can save this piece and just get the white web off of the back.

I have been using the new thinfire without any problems. This time I put in three pieces. Two were to tack and came out fine. The third was to fire polish. I ramp up slowly and fire polished at 1350 for 8 minutes. I had coated the piece to be fire polished with Super spray. The other two were uncoated. I've used super spray countless times at higher firing temps. My piece to be fire polished ended up sticking to the thinfire and when I pulled it off it had white webs on the back. The fire polish came out fine. The base is a blue irrid with the irrid side up. But in the previous firings it never stuck.

Does anyone have an idea of how to remove the white web. I don't have a sandblaster and I would like not to have to refire the piece. If I did it would be a 4th firing. It is a large piece of jewelry.

I assume I could etch it off but I am afraid the etching will creep to the sides and/or go on blotchy.

Thanks in advance.
Paula

[Cynthia]

I have been using the new thinfire without any problems. This time I put in three pieces. Two were to tack and came out fine. The third was to fire polish. I ramp up slowly and fire polished at 1350 for 8 minutes. I had coated the piece to be fire polished with Super spray. The other two were uncoated. I've used super spray countless times at higher firing temps. My piece to be fire polished ended up sticking to the thinfire and when I pulled it off it had white webs on the back. The fire polish came out fine. The base is a blue irrid with the irrid side up. But in the previous firings it never stuck.

Does anyone have an idea of how to remove the white web. I don't have a sandblaster and I would like not to have to refire the piece. If I did it would be a 4th firing. It is a large piece of jewelry.

I assume I could etch it off but I am afraid the etching will creep to the sides and/or go on blotchy.

Thanks in advance.
Paula

I was feeling frustrated in that I had just purchased an entire roll of thinfire right before the new stuff was available. Now I am hoping that by the time this roll is finished, the bugs with the new stuff will be ironed out. That or there will be a frantic search for the lost rolls of the old stock.

I have more questions than answers. Where on the piece exactly was the Superspray applied? When you say the irid was up, do you mean it was not against the shelf, or was against the shelf?

My first thought, regardless of your answers to my questions, was that you have Superspray on the shelf side of your piece and the paper adhered to it.

A suggested fix? I would not bother with etching creams. Even if you had a good etching solution, I expect it will still require polishing up if you want a polished back. I would suggest a wet belt sander or a fine sanding disk on your grinder could clean it up. You'll still have to polish it up though (if that's your desired finish) either in the kiln or with successive finer grits on a WBS or sanding disk.

[paulajane]

Hi Cynthia -

My guess like yours is that some superspray leaked underneath the piece. I had ground the edges and just wanted a slight fire polish. I put plenty of superspray on the edges since I ground them a lot. I didn't think any had gotten underneath but it looks that way from the fact that the webs formed are not in the middle of the back of the piece but around the edges. The irrid side is away from the shelf.

I don't have a wet belt sander, but I do have the diamond pads from BE. I could try them and will, but I believe that would be endless. If the back side ends up with a matte finish that is OK. I just don't want the sides to have a matte finish which is what scared me about using an etching cream on the back. I am afraid some will creep.

About the new thinfire. I love it. I have not had any problems with it but this one and I don't think the thinfire was to blame. I just want to save the piece. Up 'til now the thinfire has never ripped, moved, or done anything it shouldn't do. I only use it for one firing and then vacuum it out of the kiln.

Paula

[paulajane]

Just thought I'd state that the 3mM diamond pads from BE took off the web like deposit on the back of the piece and left a perfectly acceptable soft matte finish.

Paula