docweathers Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 on another thread, someone suggested that I add some food coloring to my wax resist so I can see what I have coated. Seemed like a good idea to me. after stealthing into the kitchen to steal my wife's red food coloring, I added a few drops to my axner wax resist. it immediately went from a thick paste to a runny liquid like you would expect a glaze to change if you added sodium silicate to it. Is this what should happen? Should I be using some special type or brand of food coloring to keep it from happening? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeU Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Ingredients of food coloring include propylparaben, propylene, and propylene glycol. The glycol is a solvent, so maybe that's what killed the wax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Larry ... You have now given me a way to thin out my thick wax resist! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 yeh but how do you thickenit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 And you thought this was going to be easy.Leave the baking to the experts.The real question is did she find out. I suggest you sneak it back in and at least for me I have no trouble seeing where and what I have waxed. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I've been adding food coloring to my wax for years, without this happening. Maybe check labels next time you're at the store and see if there's a difference between brands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Neil what brand food coloring do you use that does not cause the deflocculation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I would have thought a runnier wax resist would be better? Never used the stuff myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 McCormick. The little teardrop bottles that come in a 4 pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Huh! I was using McCormick red in the single somewhat larger bottle. I would guess it would be the same stuff either in the little bottles or the bigger bottle. I wonder what the difference is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 i've never colored my wax, but sometimes add color to my glazes and slips since i'm colorblind and can't easily see some layers. my recommendation in this case is to try powdered food coloring or powdered water color pigments (or even acrylic) - they work quite well, store forever, and will likely not have this issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan TDH Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 I had exactly the same thing happen to me... I threw the wax out and bought wax that was already colored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Dean Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Doc: Axner sells 2 wax resists, their own "Premium" product and Mobilcer - A. From your orig post, it appears that you are using the Axner brand. Maybe this reaction is something unique to their formulation. Might want to try testing another brand of wax . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Mobilcer - A is my favorite-I never liked off brands. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 thanks for your suggestion. I just ordered some Mobilcer -A now just tell me what Mobilicer means Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 thanks for your suggestion. I just ordered some Mobilcer -A now just tell me what Mobilicer means Larry It means a tested and true product that has worked well for 40 years for me. Just do NOT let it freeze Larry. It comes a bit thick and I add a small amount of water to thin it for sponging. I store mine in a small salza container with snap lid and in that I add a little water to that wax while the main storage of wax is left thicker for later use.I use 90% with a damp cut sponge and the rest I brush also with dampened brush I never added food color but have put alumina hydrate in my container-mine over time falls out so now I juts dip a wax sponge into a bowl of alunina and use on the lids and seats and do not worry about settling. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 mark, "do let it freeze or DO NOT let it freeze"? Sorry on the typo DO NOT LET IT FREEZE freezing messes up latex-wax- rubber mold compound-you name it-paint-cats- milk-you see many things Or let it all freeze and buy them again-simple choice really. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docweathers Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Mark Thanks for the procedural tips on using Wax resist and alumina hydrate etc. There are so many little procedures to refine that it takes a long time to get everything working smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Mark Thanks for the procedural tips on using Wax resist and alumina hydrate etc. There are so many little procedures to refine that it takes a long time to get everything working smoothly. Doc if you ever get the chance do walk thru another ceramic artists work are-I have picked up a lifetime of shortcuts and tips by watching others work spaces There is always a take away for both parties in this-not all shortcuts work for all but some do. Its a progression -when I was younger I wanted to see how they made their kilns-middle age how they did the clay work/glaze work-from this now I share and give back tips of these things-some will fit while others may not. Ceramics is all about those so many little procedures. Mark Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bny Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 "Mobilicer" is or was a Mobil Oil trademark for a family of wax emulsions, doubtless from "cera", Latin word for wax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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