[Jewelry making - Article 00059] - Re: [Orchid] Absolutely smooth wax surface!

[Kathy Johnson]

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    Sorry for not replying to these sooner--I had to get the job
    finished and delivered by this afternoon. 

    As the story goes, I had to carve a logo for a choir and make 30
    charms by June 1, within a 2 week time frame. I'm not fast, and I 
work
    alone, so I needed the full 2 weeks to get this done. Carved the logo
    but didn't have time to cast it and make a mold of the casting. So I
    made an RTV mold of the original wax. But when I carved it I missed
    polishing out some fairly deep scratches that were nicely reproduced
    by the mold. (that's what I get for hurrying...) So I had a bunch of
    injection waxes that all needed major finishing work before I could
    cast them. That's when asked about nail polish burning out. 

    I tried various kinds of nail polish that I already had here. One of
    the polishes was a thick protective top coat that was made to harden
    quickly when exposed to the heat of a standard incandescent light
    bulb. I discovered by accident that it hardened even faster when
    exposed to the light of a full-spectrum fluorescent bulb. It made
    those waxes as smooth and shiny as possible in just seconds, and
    filled in the surface scratches beautifully. I hope I can find more
    of this stuff when I run out--it is extremely useful! 

    I cast a few extra waxes coated with other nail polishes. The one
    that hardened under the light worked great, and the castings were
    quite smooth. But some of the other polishes left an alligator skin
    surface on the charms. Neat effect, but not what I wanted. I may try
    it on an alligator carving someday. And my burnout kiln has a vent
    fan right above it, so the fumes go right outside, rather than into
    the shop, which is in my basement.. Not that I enjoy polluting, but
    I'd rather have the fumes go outside where they will be diluted by
    fresh air instead of spreading throughout the inside of my house. 

    Thanks for all the replies. I may be doing another logo for another
    choir soon, as a musician friend of the choir director I did this job
    for was present when I delivered the jewelry today. He was interested
    in having me do some jewelry for the board of directors of *his*
    choir. When I get that job (positive attitude, right?) I'll try some
    of your suggestions on that carving! 

Orchid rocks!!!!!

Kathy Johnson
Feathered Gems Jewelry
http://www.fgemz.com
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