(no subject)

[afmetalsmith]

Why I do sample tiles! This is supposed to be a transparent golden-yellow. On my monitor, it looks more golden and less burned-mustard-y than it does in real life. The bubbles ought not to be happening- it's raised over the surface of the metals sort of like it has leavening in it or something. Enamels generally don't do that! I'm very glad indeed that I did a test and didn't use it directly in a piece, because the piece would have been ruined.

Comments

[afmetalsmith.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Maybe. Would that be different than just putting in damp enamels? because I do that pretty often, without that effect. (I know- a fine ex-chemist I am, not knowing the difference between bound water content and just damp!)

Still- I would expect the water to be driven out and the enamel to settle down if that were the case. The small square was fired for almost 5 minutes at a nominal 1425F (which meant it went down to the high 1200s when I put it in, and went up to almost 1450).

Anyway- that might explain the bubbles, but not the opacity. This is supposed to be a transparent enamel, firing between 1350-1500F, more or less. There is no sign of any transparancy whatsoever.

I suspect the 2 problems are related- but they may not be. And in any case, this jar of enamel is pretty sadly messed up!

I haven't heard from Rio Grande about it yet. I plan on sending them this picture, though!