Basics: Washing and Wet Packing Enamels

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Washing enamels

In order to get the most vivid and clear colors from the enamels, it is best to wash them prior to use. Washing removes any dust that may have gotten into the container, and for transparent colors, removes smaller particles that can cause cloudiness. Washing is very important for transparent colors, less so for opaques, and not recommended for opalescents. For time’s sake, I recommend washing several colors at once.

• With face mask ON, scoop a spoonful of enamel into one of the small containers.
• Label both lid and container with color number!
• At the sink, run water into the container, soaking the enamel. Do not overflow the container.
• Tap the container against the counter top.
• You will see a line develop along the side of the container- clean enamel below, cloudy water above.
• Hold the container almost sideways and rotate between your fingers. This causes the cloudy water to pour out, leaving behind the heavier enamel.
• Pour into the receptacle in the sink! Since the enamel is heavier than water, pouring directly down the drain will cause a clog.
• For opalescent (OPL) enamels: Do this once. What gives enamels the opalescent quality is the different sizes of enamel particles. Washing removes them.
• For opaque (O) enamels: Do this 1-3 times.
• For transparent (T) enamels: Do this repeatedly until the water is clear. This can be 3-10 times.
• Once you have washed your enamels, they are washed. You do not need to do this each time you use them. Make sure to seal the container after use so that dirt doesn’t get into it.

Once your enamels are washed, you can use them to wet pack. If you want to use them for dry sifting, place container on firing rack, and place on top of kiln. Let enamel dry (usually 1-2 hrs.). If the washed enamels have dried and you want them wet, add water, tap, and pour off excess.

Wet packing

Wet packing is best for patterns, concave areas, any time you want more control over where particles are placed.

Wash your enamels.

• Brush a good coat of gum agar onto the metal where you want the enamel to be. Make sure to get the edges.
• Using your brushes or spatulas, scoop up some of the enamel and place where you want on your piece.
• Rinse out your brush after each color.
• To even out the wet packed layer, hold you piece by the edges and tap side with your brush. You will see the water pulled to the surface and the layer even itself out.
• When packing multiple colors, hold your paper towel to the edge of your piece to wick away excess water. This helps keep your colors from bleeding into each other.
• To clean up the edges of your packed areas, clean your brush and dry it. Sweep along the edges, collecting the stray particles on your brush. Wash out your brush, and repeat if necessary.
• Make sure not to pack the layer too thick (more than 1-1.5mm) otherwise it can crack.
• After applying all the colors for this layer, wick away the excess water.
• Place on trivet, place trivet on top of firing rack.
• Put on top of kiln to dry (5-10min)
• Fire piece.