Need some kind of fake glaze for my pottery
June 15, 2018 7:19 PM Subscribe
I took a pottery class, and all my pieces are fired (first firing, then glazed, then second firing). There is a problem though - I think the glaze I used for half my pieces wasn't mixed enough, so it basically did nothing.
Just a note before I detail the rest of this: there is no possibility of me re-glazing them at the arts center. I'm not currently in a class, so I can't use their stuff.
How it happened: They have all these big buckets of glaze for us to dip our things in. Ok, cool. The teacher shows us this drill that is usually used to mix/stir up the glaze before use, but that day it had a dead battery and she could not find a good battery. So I mixed one of the buckets by hand, but evidently not with a proper amount of thoroughness and vigor before I dipped my pieces.
So the upshot is: I have several pieces of ugly rough brown pottery that I would like to somehow paint/varnish so they are smooth and glossy and of pretty colors.
So I need: Recommendations for specific types of paint and clear coat, and please especially really specifically for particular brands and item names.
I get lost in that section of the craft store, for real. I stare and stare at the items and don't know which ones to buy. In my googling I found someone mention that an artist used fingernail polish to achieve a vibrant red color. I'd be up for that, does anyone know if it's worthwhile?
Thank you for any advice.
Just a note before I detail the rest of this: there is no possibility of me re-glazing them at the arts center. I'm not currently in a class, so I can't use their stuff.
How it happened: They have all these big buckets of glaze for us to dip our things in. Ok, cool. The teacher shows us this drill that is usually used to mix/stir up the glaze before use, but that day it had a dead battery and she could not find a good battery. So I mixed one of the buckets by hand, but evidently not with a proper amount of thoroughness and vigor before I dipped my pieces.
So the upshot is: I have several pieces of ugly rough brown pottery that I would like to somehow paint/varnish so they are smooth and glossy and of pretty colors.
So I need: Recommendations for specific types of paint and clear coat, and please especially really specifically for particular brands and item names.
I get lost in that section of the craft store, for real. I stare and stare at the items and don't know which ones to buy. In my googling I found someone mention that an artist used fingernail polish to achieve a vibrant red color. I'd be up for that, does anyone know if it's worthwhile?
Thank you for any advice.
Response by poster: No, none of the items are for eating/drinking off of. Just a pen cup, some little bowls for jewelry or paperclips etc, and a tile with designs etched into it.
posted by cats are weird at 7:30 PM on June 15, 2018
posted by cats are weird at 7:30 PM on June 15, 2018
In highschool we used (very cool colours of) shoe polish and mod-podge. It turned out well on textured pieces.
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 9:27 PM on June 15, 2018
posted by Sauter Vaguely at 9:27 PM on June 15, 2018
I'd like to see a picture of the pottery to assess the condition of the glaze. Do you know what temperature it was fired to? Cone (X)?
I've taken pottery classes from a variety of studios, and generally the instructor will let you come in during their class after your session to finish glazing. Definitely email the instructor to see if that is a possibility because the end result will be much better than a craft store solution. In the even that the studio will not let you return, I'd also recommend Mod-Podge.
posted by defreckled at 10:09 PM on June 15, 2018 [2 favorites]
I've taken pottery classes from a variety of studios, and generally the instructor will let you come in during their class after your session to finish glazing. Definitely email the instructor to see if that is a possibility because the end result will be much better than a craft store solution. In the even that the studio will not let you return, I'd also recommend Mod-Podge.
posted by defreckled at 10:09 PM on June 15, 2018 [2 favorites]
Seconding asking the instructor for a do-over. I mean, the mixer was broken. That’s not your fault. And you're hardly to blame for not knowing what properly-mixed glaze looks like. It shouldn’t be a big deal for them to let you redo it.
posted by greermahoney at 10:53 PM on June 15, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by greermahoney at 10:53 PM on June 15, 2018 [2 favorites]
Most cities have at least one pottery store where you can buy glaze and pay (it's usually by the pound and not too expensive) to have someone fire them for you.
posted by yohko at 11:29 PM on June 15, 2018
posted by yohko at 11:29 PM on June 15, 2018
You can use acrylic craft paint and then acrylic gloss medium or mod Podge over it. It can look nice but it’s really not going to look that much like glaze though. . .i would be tempted to try a super shiny enamel spray paint and see how that goes.
posted by mygothlaundry at 4:29 AM on June 16, 2018
posted by mygothlaundry at 4:29 AM on June 16, 2018
Reglazing probably won't work. There are complications involving the porosity of the clay and the surface of the dilute glaze in getting the new coat of glaze to be sufficently thick to make a pleasing surface. Not to mention unpleasant problems like crawling, crazing and cracking. It's not impossible, just complicated. I'd skip that line of thought. If you have access to a salt or soda kiln, you can run it through that and see how the glaze reacts with those atmospheres, but that's the only kind of refiring I'd even bother with.
So, what you want are what potters refer to as 'room-temperature glazes.' Grumpy traditionalists get even grumpier if you start asking about this, so let's agree to ignore them and look at your options. First option is spray paint. Cheap, available, and sooo many options. Everything from cheapo rustoliem to high-end food-safe two part epoxy paints. There's a rattle can for every purpose. Do note, the glossier the surface of the pot, the more trouble you're going to have with adhesion. Automotive paints also come in rattle cans, check out your local auto parts store for all the metal flake neon fun you could ever dream of.
Another option is that old standby coverup: fingernail polish. Much more expensive than all but the highest end spray cans, and that crappy little brush is hell on large areas, but great for small detailed things. Personally, if I am gonna take this route, I usually go to my local hobby store and look at Testor's model paint. More options, including those nifty paint pens. And way better brushes.
Acrylic paints! Squeeze, mix, brush and go. Not very durable, not water tight or food safe, but easy and fun.
Mod Podge plus paper= collage! Works a treat. super easy.
Bad ideas: oil or water color paints. Won't stick, won't dry, no good.
Let's get weird for a minute. Some of my other favorite treatments for subpar glazing require more thought/equipment, but can be fun too. Sandblasting! Definitely out there, but gives a nice primitive surface. Encaustic! Melted beeswax with pigments, gives bright colors and soft skin-like texture. Bondo! Slather it on, sand it, paint it, sculpt it, paint it again, a lot, sand it again, instant patina! Melt crayons or candles on it in your oven! Attack it with a dremel and etching bit to carve (wear eye protection)! Throw it in your backyard fire pit, have a bonfire and let it react to the weird atmosphere and ashes!
These are but a few thing you can do, or you can just smash the sorry little thing and make it into a mosaic!
Good luck!
posted by 1f2frfbf at 9:40 AM on June 16, 2018 [3 favorites]
So, what you want are what potters refer to as 'room-temperature glazes.' Grumpy traditionalists get even grumpier if you start asking about this, so let's agree to ignore them and look at your options. First option is spray paint. Cheap, available, and sooo many options. Everything from cheapo rustoliem to high-end food-safe two part epoxy paints. There's a rattle can for every purpose. Do note, the glossier the surface of the pot, the more trouble you're going to have with adhesion. Automotive paints also come in rattle cans, check out your local auto parts store for all the metal flake neon fun you could ever dream of.
Another option is that old standby coverup: fingernail polish. Much more expensive than all but the highest end spray cans, and that crappy little brush is hell on large areas, but great for small detailed things. Personally, if I am gonna take this route, I usually go to my local hobby store and look at Testor's model paint. More options, including those nifty paint pens. And way better brushes.
Acrylic paints! Squeeze, mix, brush and go. Not very durable, not water tight or food safe, but easy and fun.
Mod Podge plus paper= collage! Works a treat. super easy.
Bad ideas: oil or water color paints. Won't stick, won't dry, no good.
Let's get weird for a minute. Some of my other favorite treatments for subpar glazing require more thought/equipment, but can be fun too. Sandblasting! Definitely out there, but gives a nice primitive surface. Encaustic! Melted beeswax with pigments, gives bright colors and soft skin-like texture. Bondo! Slather it on, sand it, paint it, sculpt it, paint it again, a lot, sand it again, instant patina! Melt crayons or candles on it in your oven! Attack it with a dremel and etching bit to carve (wear eye protection)! Throw it in your backyard fire pit, have a bonfire and let it react to the weird atmosphere and ashes!
These are but a few thing you can do, or you can just smash the sorry little thing and make it into a mosaic!
Good luck!
posted by 1f2frfbf at 9:40 AM on June 16, 2018 [3 favorites]
I showed my potter friend your question and she said yes, fingernail polish for small areas or try metal paints / spray enamel. Or, there ARE porcelain glazes you can then bake in your home oven.
She also said, by the way, that it sounds to her as if the problem was the kiln temperature was too low, not the mixing at all.
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:10 AM on June 17, 2018
She also said, by the way, that it sounds to her as if the problem was the kiln temperature was too low, not the mixing at all.
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:10 AM on June 17, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by starlybri at 7:26 PM on June 15, 2018