Proper care of your clear glaze will extend its life and usefulness.
Store your clear glaze in a cool dry area. Do not store it in the kiln room or near your kilns! Excessive heat can cause evaporation and lead to thicker glaze.
Always keep your clear glaze covered when not in use to protect it from dust, contaminants and evaporation.
If necessary, water can be added to your glaze. Always add water, 4 oz. at a time. Use a viscosity cup to help determine the correct consistency (we recommend a DuPont brand M-50 viscosity cup, which can be purchased from your local distributor or directly from Gare).
Mix your glaze before using with an appropriately sized power mixer. We do not recommend simply mixing with a paddle or spatula. Click here for proper tools needed.
Wear protective gloves when dipping by hand. Quality bisque is essential for good glaze results.
Bisque should be fired to shelf cone 04 - this means it should be fired to the proper temperature for the proper length of time.
Ensure that your bisque is clean, free of oils from hand lotions or food, and free of dust. Accumulated oils and dust can repel glazes, causing bare spots, pinholes and crawling in the fired finish. We recommend wiping your bisque with a damp sponge before applying color.
Use reputable bisque suppliers to guarantee consistent quality bisque.
Firing Tips
When applied and fired correctly, 1700D Dipping Glaze fires to a beautiful, clear glossy finish. Colors appear bright and vibrant. The fired glaze surface is smooth to the touch. 1700D accepts fired overglaze such as Gold or Mother-of-Pearl.
Using 06 shelf cones in your kiln is important to ensure proper firing. Temperature varies within a kiln, causing some pieces to fire hotter or cooler than others. Shelf cones should be placed on each shelf of your kiln, towards the center of the kiln. By consistently using shelf cones you will get to know your kiln and be able to compensate for variations in temperatures.
Firing for the proper length of time is also important. Under firing can result in glaze that is rough and starved. If your kiln is an automatic, we recommend setting a ramp-up of 250 per hour and a hold (or soak) time of 15-20 minutes at the top temperature.
Problem Solving
Problem: Tiny trapped air bubbles in the glaze, usually found around a mug handle or the bottom of a bowl.
Cause: Heavy glaze application. Glaze consistency too thick or ware submerged in the glaze too long.
Solution: Thin glaze with water. Add water 4 ounces at a time. Mix with the power mixer to desired consistency. Repeat if necessary. Dip for a shorter length of time.
Problem: Yellow tint in fired glaze surface.
Cause: Heavy glaze application. Glaze consistency too thick or ware submerged in the glaze too long.
Solution: Thin glaze with water. Add water 4 ounces at a time. Mix with the power mixer to desired consistency. Repeat if necessary. Dip for a shorter length of time.
Problem: Rough or starved areas of the glaze surface.
Cause: Usually due to a light glaze application or thinning glaze with too much water.
Solution: Correct by re-applying the glaze and firing.
Tools Needed for successful dipping:
1700D Clear Dipping Glaze
Variable speed power drill
Paint mixer*
Disposable gloves
DuPont M-50 viscosity cup*
Stopwatch
Drying Tray
Soft fan brush for touch up
Dipping Vat
HOW TO DIP GLAZE
Shake gallon container vigorously.
Some glaze separation is normal.
Bright colored liquid at the top is not uncommon.
Remove cap and pour 1/2 of the glaze into a large dipping container or tank.
Recap and shake remainder of glaze thoroughly to remove all glaze from container.
Pour remaining glaze into dipping container.
Add additional glaze to fill container, following above steps for each gallon.
Use the appropriately sized power mixing tool (1-gallon tool for a 1-gallon container, 5-gallon tool for a 5-gallon container).
Thoroughly mix the glaze until smooth, approximately 1-2 minutes.
Allow glaze to settle for a minute to allow most of the air bubbles to come to the surface. Not all air bubbles will be eliminated. Do not be concerned, this is normal after mixing.
Re-mix every 20 minutes or so while dipping.
Glaze should be the consistency of whole milk. The desired glaze viscosity is best determined by fired results.*
Using a viscosity cup can also help determine proper consistency.
We recommend a viscosity cup. The cup should empty within 15 seconds.
How to use a viscosity cup:
Hold cup in hand & stopwatch in the other. (see photo)
Submerge cup into the glaze.
As you lift cup from the glaze, begin timing the flow of the glaze through the cup.
Stop the clock when the glaze stream breaks. Note: cup should be empty. A small amount of glaze left in the cup is acceptable. Large amounts of glaze left in the cup is the result of thick glaze consistency.
If glaze is too thick, add water, 4 ounces at a time until glaze runs through the cup in the recommended time frame.
Use your hands wear protective gloves.
Be certain your gloves are clean and dry to avoid smearing your piece.
You can dip the entire piece at once.
Dip ware in a smooth in and out motion, turning piece to coat thoroughly.
Rapidly withdraw from glaze and shake off excess drips.
Place ware on stilts or rack to dry.
While touch ups may not be necessary, you can touch finger marks and other small imperfections with a soft fan brush.
When the piece is completely dry, finger sanding glaze drips may be necessary.
Allow to dry thoroughly before firing to shelf cone 06.
Dry time is determined by bisque/painted areas, size of ware, and climactic conditions.
Ideal Fired Results
When applied and fired correctly, 1700D Dipping Glaze fires to a beautiful, clear, glossy finish.
Colors appear bright and vibrant.
The fired glaze surface is smooth to the touch.
1700D is dinnerware safe and accepts fired overglaze such as Gold or Mother-of-Pearl.
