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Firing Flat With Color?


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Hi. Not very experienced at this, but I am making a series of mostly flat garden markers, with some carving and modeling. I will eventually fire in an electric kiln to cone 5 or 6. I know it will be best to fire them flat on the kiln shelf. I would like to add some color, but what can I do that will not stick to my kiln shelves? How about an oxide wash - will that stick?

Thank you.

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Thanks Marcia.

 

I have some tile setters, but did not think firing them on edge would keep them flat. I will try it. They are 1/2" thick stoneware when made.

 

Just for my information, I could make a wash using oxides or bought stains and they would not stick to the shelves?

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Once firing is probably not an option in this case as I think you want to apply stain or color ... then wipe it off. This is best done on bisque pieces so you don't smear your designs or lose them. Also, if you don't like the results you can wash some colors off and start over.

Once firing is more of an option when you are doing a one step process ... For instance making a plain glazed marker ... or on non functional work or with specialized glazes.

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If you use a stain you should add a little base to it. A good one is 1/3 epkaolin, 1/3 fit 3110, and 1/3 stain.

The stain does not have a flux. I think you should just label/decorate one side for your garden rows then you are guaranteed no sticking.If you want a 3d decoration make a tube.

Marcia

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dricherson, if you mean my profile page, yes, i single fire to cone 6.  if you look at the work in the gallery you will notice that most of it is finished in a single color. occasionally, i do use two colors but that is harder to do with a sprayer like mine.  a single accent of color on a dragonfly is easier because the dragonfly is inset below the surface of the pot.  touching it with a darker color Stroke and Coat on a loaded brush lets the color find the edges of the design and not run.

 

i do bisque fire the pots i make while i am in florida because i cannot figure out how to get all that greenware 1000 miles up the highway without breaking it.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Follow up: The tile setters worked well! Thanks Marcia! I did a few experiments to see what would happen. The 1/3 epkaolin, 1/3 frit, and 1/3 stain worked pretty well - and only stuck a little. I would like more control over the coverage, but this is a good starting point. Some of the markers did distort in shape a little, but that won't detract from their usefulness. I would attach a photo if I could figure out how!

I am really thankful for this forum - I learn something new every day!

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To add a photo just look below the dialogue box, bottom left where it says "attach files" ... choose it using the 'choose file' box, choose your photo from your files, then hit 'attach this file'.

If your dialogue box doesn't have these boxes underneath then click the 'more reply options' button on the bottom right to bring up a new screen with this on it.

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If you are going to be firing tiles on a regular basis: try using tile setters in sections.

Flat Firing

 

The tiles shown are 9 x 12 : so I used a center piece on top to keep them aligned. That does add just a touch more weight, which also creates drag. If your tiles are much smaller, there is no need to add the top piece. The pieces rest on two sections of tile setters. One caution: you can stuff a kiln to the gills using this method: so if you do-slow down the ramp temps to ensure even heating.

Nerd

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Found it! Thanks! I probably should have just glazed the fronts and not worried about color on the backs, but I like the design and thought color would give it a little emphasis. I know, they're just garden stakes but obviously I am occasionally obsessed with finding the solution to a problem! :)

 

post-76196-0-18141300-1461413830_thumb.jpg

post-76196-0-18141300-1461413830_thumb.jpg

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