Slip Problems-New Territory

[Pres]

I think somewhere I mentioned that I have been working with a dark brown clay body the last 6 months. Anyway, I completed a series of pots recently and used a white slip mixed up from a white body I had been using.  After bisque, I found that they were very rough-sandy. So obviously I had not taken into account the fine grog in the clay. I like the effect of the white on brown and then combing through, but need to get rid of the sand. Two options as I see it-sieve the grog out, or mix a white slip from scrap. Second probalbly best solution. However, what sieve number screen would I use to remove the grog? I have a few white slip recipes. Any other suggestions for working with this darker body? It is SC Hazelnut Brown ^6

[Mark C.]

I would just run it through a 30 mesh if it will go through that? Maybe just a kitchen strainer. Slip is thick so slow maybe is the key.

If it will go try a finer screen but it may not flow.

Mark

[Biglou13]

is it the slip that is groggy?

or the clay?

 

strain out what you have

 

since thats what you've been using for testing

 

i was doing same making slip with standard 181 turns out it had 200 mesh grog  but was never an issue with standard 266.

[Pres]

Clay is groggy, I hadn't relaized how much so. I will try seiving it. I also think I will make up one of the slip recipes to see how that goes. I have a lot of glaze testing to do to get this thing to work. Maybe I am trying to do something I counter to what I should, but will muddle through.

[Biglou13]

If the clay is groggy the piece will have texture/ feel. Wht do you not like about it?

Unless your smoth slip is thick the gritiness will stay since in the clay. Now you have to decide is it the clay or the slip causing untoward characteristics?

The combed slip also adds texture......I wouldn't expect a piece like that to feel smooth

Some of that crunchiness may go away after final firing.

Also a thick coating of clears glaze may fix some of the texture issues.

I personally think some texture, grittiness is good, even on cups, and even more so where a piece is handled...tactile input...I also think all the pieces I've seen with white slip and dark clay have been spectacular.. is it possible your kvetching over nothing?( possible your over thinking?

[Pres]

Sorry, I meant the slip was groggy. I sieved it today and remove about two teaspoons of grog from 2 gt of slip. Much smoother not.  Problem was that it left sandy edges that came through the glaze. Not a pleasing texture, and I do like texture on my pots. I am trying a series of test tiles with some changes in existing glazes with oxide and thickness variations.

[Biglou13]

Will a thicker coating of slip and or a slip with less water work?

[Pres]

The clay is not a problem, and the surface of the fired clay was good, only the slipped areas were bad. I am trying various thickness of slip to see how they work.

[Chris Campbell]

I use porcelain slips that are mixed as thick as yogurt and have had good luck with it on red clay Cone 5-6 ish. It creates its own surface and so far has not cracked or flaked off. So far ... : > )

[Pres]

This was from a white throwing body that I use that has the same shrinkage as the brown I am using. It was on hand, and seemed easy, but now that it is sieved I think(fingers crossed) it will work.