The Art of Fine Enameling by Karen L. Cohen

Author:Karen L. Cohen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Published: 2019-08-29T00:00:00+00:00

Covering Problem Areas

Instead of removing the enamel, there are ways to cover problems that might even make your piece better—Oops perfect! Try covering problem areas with opaque enamel, foils, mica supplements, enamel chips, firescale, flower wafers, metal inclusions, or other add-ons. Alternatively, try matting them with an etching cream or by adding more enamel and giving it a sugar or orange peel final firing.

PROBLEM: There are speckles in the enamel colors.

Possible Cause: The enamel is not clean.

Possible Solution: See “Cleaning/Washing Enamels” on page 27. If color cannot be cleaned, just use for counter-enamel.

Possible Cause: The enamel has deteriorated.

Possible Solution: Test-fire and see if results are similar. If so, only use for counter-enamel.

Possible Cause: The enamel was not dry enough before placing the piece in the furnace, and the grains jumped to another location due to the moisture turning to steam.

Possible Solution: Allow the enamel to dry completely before firing.

Possible Cause: The water being used to clean the brush for wet-packing is dirty.

Possible Solution: Change the water and clean brush.

Possible Cause: Enamel contains foreign matter.

Possible Solution: Test-fire the color to see if the entire batch is contaminated. If so, use for counter-enamel.

Possible Cause: There was grinding stone or metal residue left over from stoning the piece.

Possible Solution: Wash the piece better after grinding using a glass brush and ultrasonic cleaner with an ammonia solution.

Possible Cause: If using a metal that oxidizes, the edges were not cleaned between firings and the fire-scale jumped onto the enamel.

Possible Solution: Clean edges of the piece after each firing. See “Mind Your Edges” on page 65.

Possible Cause: Firescale from trivet flaked off onto the enamel.

Possible Solution: Clean trivets.

Possible Cause: The fire bricks in the kiln have deteriorated and bits have gotten into the piece.

Possible Solution: Cool the kiln and vacuum the bricks or change the bricks for new ones.

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