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Ceramic Glazes
Home » Arts & Crafts » Ceramics » Ceramic GlazesGlaze is a form of glass made of ingredients that when applied to clay and heated melt without melting the clay. Glazes are the basic material used for many types of decoration. Glazes need to be tested in your own kiln at the temperature with which you normally work and on the type of clays that you use.
Fired glazes come in a vast variety of colors and can be transparent, translucent, or opaque and come in glossy, semi-matte, or matte finishes. Be aware that glossy glazes tend to run during firing. All glazes will run if over-fired in the kiln.
You must wear a protective mask when working with dry glazes. To eliminate dust, always add glaze ingredients to the water and never the other way around.
The following are methods used to apply glazes:
• Dipping – Hold the pot at an angle and slowly dip it into the glaze. Dip the base first so that it will fill with glaze, gently twisting the pot to cover the entire surface. Leave the pot in the glaze for two to three seconds. The glaze will dry quickly. To touch up missed spots, dip your finger into the glaze and dab onto the pot.
• Pouring – Pour the glaze into the pot using a large bowl or jug. Move quickly making sure all surfaces are completely coated.
• Painting – A glaze mop can be used to dribble the glaze onto your piece. Glaze can be brushed on top of a base glaze to achieve contrasting colors.
• Trailing – Use a slip trailer to apply a base glaze.
• Spraying – For spraying you need a spray booth, spray gun, and compressor. This technique is best for oddly shaped pieces that are difficult to dip or pour. Always wear a mask and goggles when spraying. Make sure to keep your spray gun clean so that it does not become clogged.
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