Hyn Patty Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 My last gallon of Seeley's porcelain slip dried out! Drat. I've had this stuff for the past twenty+ years but not used it in years. When I went to add distilled water it turns out the plastic container was cracked. No wonder it dried out on me! So, chipping it out so I can get it into my Shimpo ball mill jar to remix it until it's buttery smooth again. No pouring porcelain medallions in the studio today. Thankfully, even though Seeley's went out of business long ago, I can still get it from New York Dynamic Porcelain. They bought the rights to Seeley's product line and still make Seeley's porcelain slips and china paints. Thank goodness because this is my favorite porcelain slip and I'm going to need to put in a new order soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyn Patty Posted April 30 Author Report Share Posted April 30 Any of you have any tips or tricks to share for reconstituting dried out porcelain slip? It's still a little bit buttery so it's not rock hard. Figured I'd add some distilled water, ball mill it a bit to smoothly remix it, then see if I need to add any sodium slicate but hopefully it'll be just fine. This is the last of my batch I picked up more than ... eh, 25 years ago? I've had it a while. But shouldn't really be any different than reclaiming clay scraps I should think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Longtin Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 Hello Hyn Patty, Does this bring back memories??? I was introduced to Seeley's back in the 90's when I made a mold for a local "ceramics" shop. (I was also introduced to Bell Porcelain.) Coming from a "potters" background, (i.e. Minnesota Clay #2 Stoneware.) Seeley's and Bell were something of an eye opening experience. It was the first time I had a chance to cast BEAUTIFUL porcelain objects. The ceramics shop that hired me to make a few molds was very active in the doll making universe. Both Seeley's and Bell were popular among the doll making crowd. I found Seeley's to be more workable but more of an "ivory white" color. I found Bell to be a true "bone china" appearance but much more difficult to use. If I were you I would not add any defocculant. Just add water, let it slake, and see how it turns out. (You can always add defocculant later.) I found both developed a really gross green mold, after years of sitting, so I would pass the slip through a screen before using it. I emailed the New York Dynamic folks at one point but wasn't impressed so I decided to try mixing my own again. I find EPK recipes to be more Seeley's like while English Grolleg recipes seem to be more Bell like. Good Luck - Thanks! Hyn Patty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyn Patty Posted June 13 Author Report Share Posted June 13 Thanks for that input, Jeff. Sadly I didn't see your reply until LONG after I reconstituted my old porcelain but I happened to be cautious and did just as you suggested. I only added distilled water, a little at a time, and then threw it into my ball mill to let it mix well overnight. It came out creamy and perfect and no sodium silicate or anything else needed. It is indeed a bone off white with this batch but I also have 'Snow White' that is more opaque and very bright white. Interesting about the 'I find EPK recipes to be more Seeley's like while English Grolleg recipes seem to be more Bell like.' comment. I haven't used Bell. I am far from being the know all of porcelains. No matter how much I learn and all the new things I try, there's always MORE to learn! Which keeps things interesting. I am working with making my own fine bone china here in studio and it's been slow going. Mostly due to lack of time to work with it as much as I'd like but I am keen on 2025 being a huge year for bone china for me! Meanwhile, I've been adjusting and testing my recipes to see what I like best. Using the Cornwall Stone, bone ash, Grolleg, frit, etc it definitely handles differently from the porcelain's I've used so it's an adventure! All my UK friends use the premixed Valentine's bone china slip so it has been interesting comparing notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyn Patty Posted June 13 Author Report Share Posted June 13 (edited) Here's one of the many medallions I have since cast with the reconstituted slip. So it was nice that I could recover it. I figured I could but it was nearly completely dried out and was taking forever just to soften it back up enough to get it out of the jug. They fired up great and were given away as show awards. Edited June 13 by Hyn Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyn Patty Posted June 13 Author Report Share Posted June 13 And one of them after bisque firing. Just as silky and lovely as the day I first got that slip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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