[Alumina And Wax]

Wanted to give an update on this question. I used a Drexel to grind off the rough marks where it looks like something ran down the side of the box. I took these spots down to the same level as the glossy glaze since they were raised. I then applied new glaze to these areas. I used the alumina and wax again on the lid and rim but this time I applied a very light coat and even used a paper towel to wipe any off that had not dried by the time I was finished applying it to the edge.

 

I refired it successfully! The glaze blended in beautifully and no runs! You can't actually tell I had to grind off some and reglaze it. The top didn't stick either GRIN. I fired the other lidded box for the first time as well and doing the alumina and wax like I did worked perfect on it too, no runs, marks or stuck lid!

 

So I think my original problem was just too much wax so that it ran as it heated up and the alumina stuck to the glaze and was fired right into the top layer of it. Thank you everyone for your help.

 

Terry

[Alumina And Wax]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think from what I have been reading that I simply put it on too thick. I over compensated by putting too much on the 2 lips trying to prevent the lid from sticking.

 

What I have done so far is used my Dremel tool to smooth out the boiled looking spots until they are smooth and level with the glaze around them. They were raised and sort of looked like they sitting on top of the glaze to start with. Doing this of course left some dull areas. I finished by scrubbing the whole thing really well and it is now drying.

 

I would like to try and reglaze it just to see what happens, how do I do this? I think to get the new layer of glaze to stick to the old I need to heat the box up and then quickly apply the new layer of glaze; am I right? Since the clay is fully vitrified can I refire the box and lid separately this time around? Do I need to refire both the top and the bottom or just the bottom? Also do I need to reglaze the entire box or just put glaze on the dulls spots?

 

Thanks for your help... I stumped my teacher as well... Oh well if I gotta screw up at least I can do it creatively.

 

Terry

[Alumina And Wax]

You all might remember awhile back I asked about firing a lidded box. I asked about alumina and several people were very helpful in suggesting ways to fire the box with the lid on and not have it stick. Well I think I did something wrong...

 

I mixed 2 teaspoons of alumina with 4 oz of liquid ceramics wax. I then brushed this on the bottom edge of the lid and the top edge of the box including the flange. I let that dry then glazed the box with the lid on and fired it to ^6. Well on a happy note the lid did not stick at all! On a sad note in several spots it almost looks like the wax and alumina mix melted and ran down the side of the box leaving a permanent dull white dusty mark.

 

Boo hoo so what did I do wrong?

Did I use too much of it?

Should I only apply it to one edge not both?

Did I use the wrong kind of wax to mix with the alumina?

 

Can I use something like steel wool to sand as much of this mark off as possible them reglaze and refire it? I'm basically looking at it as a learning experience at this point so am willing to try some different things to see what happens. I have another lidded box that I am not going to glaze fire right away until I feel a bit more confident in its survival or at worst I'll fire the lid and the bottom separate and hope they still fit together afterwards.

 

So any suggestions anyone?

 

Terry