EarthArt Posted March 5, 2018 Report Share Posted March 5, 2018 I have a large bisque fired 4 piece sculpture and would appreciate some suggestions for a non-fire finish to put on it. It is made with a groggy sculptural clay with lots of textures added so the surface is not smooth. It will be outside in the sun but stored inside during freezing temperatures. Would like it to be a deep blue colour. It has a crack inside the head portion and so I do not want to risk firing it again. Any ideas are greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted March 6, 2018 Report Share Posted March 6, 2018 maybe a sealant, then exterior paint? Sprayed because of texture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2018 Thought maybe exterior masonary or concrete paint - sealed first? Spraying is definitely a great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Potter Posted March 6, 2018 Report Share Posted March 6, 2018 You could consider an automotive lacquer or enamel finish as well. Might get some interesting hue and texture . experiment on something else first and see what you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 Inquired today at an automotive store ~ they thought this might work well. Have some test tiles so will probably try this out .... another adventure into the unknown! Thanks for your suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 automotive lacquer is a beautiful finish but I don't know about a rough surface. Oil paint works well for surface finish. Add Japan drier to speed up drying. It depends on what type of effect you are after. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 Hi Marcia ~ do you mean exterior oil paint? Have you tried any surface treatments like this on your work? If so, what products and treatments did you have the most success with? I live in the Okanagan in BC ~ we get variable temperatures similar to your weather. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 On 7/03/2018 at 1:32 AM, EarthArt said: Thought maybe exterior masonary or concrete paint - sealed first? Spraying is definitely a great idea. well it will lessen absorption of water, so may lengthen life if exposed to freezing conditions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Yes ~ good point thank you. It is supposed to be stored inside for the freezing temps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preeta Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Are you afraid to glaze because of the crack growing? How about low fire glazes? The crack should not grow and if it is not too wide glaze might seal it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Nail polish, enamel paint, acrylics, latex paint, etc. Artist friend of mine used to paint a lot of his work with "oops paint" from hardware stores and good quality acrylics -- his painted surfaces have held up on some of his outdoor pieces exposed to CA sun and "winters" for the last 10+ years and only in last few years have seemed to fade (the acrylics) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Preeta ~ This is my first large sculpture piece ~ an ogopogo - & it is a new clay to me. It has been a great learning experience & I would change some of my construction techniques for future projects. I am concerned some of my joints won't withstand another firing .... have been either raku firing or cone 6 oxidation. All my tested glazes are in this range at the moment. The piece with the small crack is the neck & head piece of the sculpture ~ lots of detailed work & I don't know if I want to make another! Thanks for your suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hi Perkolator - nice to hear about some weather tested products ~ I am considering the acrylics & plan to get some to test. Thank you to everyone who contributed ~ some great feedback. I am away for a few weeks and will start some tests in April. Will post again to let you know where this journey takes me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 No prob. I think the key to his success was to make a base coat of exterior house paint, then he'd use acrylics and whatnot to do his line work. He only used quality acrylics, like Golden I believe, I doubt the cheaper paints would last as long as these did. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Thanks Perkolator .... will keep you posted into April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 I have often had success with epoxy putty for filling/patching cracks. The putty allows you to file/sand/grind it to smooth with the surface, and it will take any of the finishes you are considering. I have repaired many student pieces and touched them up with gloss acrylic matching the glaze surface and color exactly. It is a painful process to match up an existing surface, but you don't have that problem. . . the lacquers should do you well. best, Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthArt Posted March 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Will give that a try ~ thanks for the tip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 I paint concrete benches with exterior house paint and then after it has cured for thirty days put several coats of paste wax on it. They have been expose to all kind of weather for 20 years. You will still have to bring the pot into the house in the winter. I have thought about painting a sculpture with colored wax and crayons, melting with a propane torch as I worked. Good luck. Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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