zyp on SS or glazed ceramic- how?

[Bonnie Rubinstein]

Hi All,

I usually use kiln wash. Now trying brush on Zyp boron nitride for the first time in some jewelry molds. But I also have a ss mold and a glazed ceramic dish I want to coat. I realize nothing will easily stick to either. Should I sandblast the surfaces, what is recommended if I want to use the brush on Zyp?

Thanks!

[Brad Walker]

We brush Zyp onto jewelry molds all the time. Just apply with a brush, then let dry. We've also used it on stainless molds, same process. No sandblasting needed on the stainless.

I'm not a fan of using it on ceramics, kiln wash is a lot cheaper. But if it's glazed ceramic, you'd probably need to sandblast the glaze off first, I don't think the Zyp would stick well to glazed ceramics.

[Bonnie Rubinstein]

thanks, Brad.

The SS is a floral former, so I assume hard to get the zyp brush-on liquid to stick without running off(?)

[Brad Walker]

The SS is a floral former, so I assume hard to get the zyp brush-on liquid to stick without running off(?)

I used to use boron nitride on my floral formers, but I don't anymore. I just cut a piece of thinfire slightly bigger than the glass on top, put the thinfire on top of the mold and beneath the glass, and fire. The thinfire loses its strength, but the glass doesn't stick to the mold.

If you prefer, you can brush the Zyp on to the stainless; just hold the floral former parallel to the ground and apply a little at a time to the side that's up, rotating as necessary. (Hope that makes sense.)

Alternatively, you can use kiln wash on the stainless, just heat it to 300F and then brush on. You may need to re-heat to get good coverage.

More than one way to skin that cat.

[Brad Walker]

As an aside, I'm not a fan of the spray Zyp. The Safety Data Sheet is pretty scary: it recommends a respirator, safety goggles, gloves, and long sleeve shirts when using the product. https://www.dlartglass.com/PDFs/MSDS/ZYP%2520BN13.PDF

If I have to use Zyp, I use the brush-able version, which at least doesn't get airborne.

[Bonnie Rubinstein]

I did purchase the brush on.. I was concerned about the spray.

so, just took a jewelry mold out of the kiln. I had used the Zyp. one coat, as i read to do that. But 2 out of 3 pieces stuck in mold. had to force them out, chipping the glass as well as the mold! May have to try either 2 coats Zyp or maybe blast the whole mold, and apply kiln wash (?) I just don't like the wash residue left on the pieces. usually have to grind them off.

Re: floral former.. i will use the thin fire paper.. I had wanted to, and glad you confirmed that, Brad. As always, I so appreciate your feedback and insights.

[Brad Walker]

We usually use more than one coat on the jewelry molds.

[Marty]

Sandblast the stainless. Dilute the kilnwash. Heat the mold to about 350F, take it out of the kiln and spray the kw on it until you see wet spots (cooling metal). Repeat at least once and it'll last forever, or until someone runs their hands over the kw to see how smooth it is, or until someone scratches the finish by carelessly loading or unloading it.