[Jewelry making - Article 00202] - Re: [Orchid] Cement-like gunk on castings

[Karen Goeller]

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Peg,

    There's one other thing that I've encountered that could be an
    issue, and I haven't seen it mentioned by any of the other posters. 

    You mention that you're casting organics, but not what type. I have
    found some types of plant materials, in particular, that react with
    the investment to create a hard, cement-like coating that is almost
    impossible to remove. Yes, you can polish it off with sandpaper, but
    that's about it. Those same castings don't quench well (they quench
    in temperature, but the investment certainly doesn't break away from
    the metal as you'd expect). One of the biggest culprits has been
    poinsettia leaves (I've tried a variety of things completely without
    any success). 

    If you adjust the burnout temps and lower your casting temp and
    still have the problem, try an experiment to see if the type of
    organic you're using could be causing it. Do 2 flasks, one with plain
    waxes and the other with the organic. Mix them identically (and
    simultaneously) and burnout/cast them simultaneously. See if there's
    a difference. 

Hope this helps!

Karen Goeller
No Limitations Designs
Hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewelry
www.nolimitations.com
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