[Jewelry making - Article 00370] - Re: [Orchid] Washing enamels

[Jenny Gore]

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    Hallo Leslie, I'm presuming this question is for me?! Maybe you aren't
    putting a thick enough layer of enamel on if this is your first coat.
    This should be about the thickness of the metal before it is fired
    and the metal should not show through. If applying the enamel dry I
    find that it works well to put the finer grains down first and they
    will fill in the gaps, before the 80 mesh through the strainer. This
    is done quite easily by holding pantyhose over a film container of
    dry enamel and not pulling tight. As you stretch it more the bigger
    grains will be able to fall through. On large pieces this is
    impractical so just make sure that there is a sufficiently thick,
    even layer, with a little extra around the edges. 

    If the pinholes are developing in progressive coats I would look at
    the condition of the enamel. Is it old or degraded? Some remedies
    could include stoning the surface and refiring, or try firing a thin
    coat of well washed soft fusing flux, (clear), over your opaque
    colour. I don't normally wash or sieve opaques because I want those
    fine grains, but if the enamel is not in good condition you could try
    this. 

    Good luck from Jenny Gore in South OZ, where it should be Summer!

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