[Jewelry making - Article 00241] - Re: [Orchid] Working with Shibuichi?

[RMS]

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>     am having trouble controlling what gets colored and what doesn't. I
>     would love to know how you're getting all those colors

    Here is how we describe the process: 

    Guide to heat coloring Shibuichi 

    The following technique is used in the Thin Cast studios of D.L.
    Downer to color shibuichi cast products. The temperatures are quite
    high and require that hard solders be used in fabrication. There are
    a lot of steps in this process and we are unsure if all are
    necessary. It works well but can be modified to fit your studio. You
    may want to try your own process with this as a guide. 

    It is important to start with clean metal. 

    1) Dip into hot sudsy ammonia. Be sure to be under good ventilation
    and boil it dry with a torch and repeat. 

    2) Brass brush with sudsy amonia. It will appear silvery. 

    3) Heat to a dull red. As it cools it will appear black. 

    4) Using an extreme oxidizing flame pass the piece in and out of the
    heat. The colors will change each time. Use a fan to cool the piece
    when it looks just right. DO NOT QUENCH IN WATER! 

    Worse case scenario, pickle it and start over again. 

    If the piece is handled after coloring, wash thoroughly and rinse in
    acetone to totally degrease. A clear lacquer like Incralac can help
    increase the life of the patina. It is just a patina; wear and the
    environment it lives in will affect it over time. 

    PS Somebody threw in a comment yesterday about the percentage of
    gold. oooops, that be shakudo.

Bill, Deborah & Michele
Reactive Metals Studio, Inc
928-634-3434, 800-876-3434, 928-634-6734fx
http://www.reactivemetals.com
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