What Is Magic Water And How Critical Is It When Handbuilding?

[PANDA]

I READ AN ARTICLE BY LANA WILSON ON MAKING PAPER CLAY WITH TOILET PAPER TO REPAIR GREEN WARE AND BUISQUE.

SHE SAID SHE USES MAGIC WATER. OR PLAIN WATER. WHAT IS THE DIFFERANCE?

[Chris Campbell]

Lana's magic water is just i gallon of water with 3 tbsp. liquid sodium silicate and 1 1/2 tsps. soda ash added.

Claims are that the particles attract each other so the clay binds rather than separates.

Some people swear by it, others say it is no better than water with a bit of vinegar added.

Others will say slip works better ... some say just plain water. It's a long, circular argument.

Try it and decide for yourself.

 

It is a totally separate thing from paper clay which can be used in a hundred different ways.

Google Graham Hay and check out his website.

I also have a section on paperclay ... www.ccpottery.com

 

Good Luck!

[alfarerotuerto]

I've used Lana's "Magic Water" successfully for putting extruded handles on mugs. I've also used slip of the same clay (from the slurry bucket the next day) with the same success. However, I think the basic factor in my joining work is sealing up the joinery under plastic for two or three days after the joining is done. It doesn't really cost me any time, because I'm always making other things duriing the days of enforced slow drying.

[AndyL]

There's another thing called Spooze you might want to try. It's 1/3 dry clay you're using. 1/3 Vinegar and 1/3 Karo Syrup. add a drop or two of hydrogem peroxide from time to time to keep it from smelling.

[Marcia Selsor]

There's another thing called Spooze you might want to try. It's 1/3 dry clay you're using. 1/3 Vinegar and 1/3 Karo Syrup. add a drop or two of hydrogem peroxide from time to time to keep it from smelling.

 

 

I have magic water in my studio plus I have used spooze and also added paper pulp to spooze. All work well. I have used paper clay slip to rebuild or reattach pieces on large architectural work at the bisque stage too. That is amazing and it works! The surface of the bisque must be wet when reattaching and using paper pulp as a glue.

[Pres]

There's another thing called Spooze you might want to try. It's 1/3 dry clay you're using. 1/3 Vinegar and 1/3 Karo Syrup. add a drop or two of hydrogem peroxide from time to time to keep it from smelling.

 

 

I have magic water in my studio plus I have used spooze and also added paper pulp to spooze. All work well. I have used paper clay slip to rebuild or reattach pieces on large architectural work at the bisque stage too. That is amazing and it works! The surface of the bisque must be wet when reattaching and using paper pulp as a glue.

 

 

We started using Magic water at the HS I taught in about 5 years ago. It cut down on the number of cracked seams in slab construction with beveled edges and reinforced coils immensely. The new teacher that took my place when I retired had never heard of it, but after using it one time-she swears by it. Good stuff to use with students!