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Hello. i'm a newbie to enamal.
How do I avoid air bubbles in the enamel?
after firing in the kiln, i often get a lots of bubbles in the enamel.
What do i do wrong. Is there som place i can learn/read more about the process?
Hi Heidi
air bubbles are caused by too much moisture under the enamels - When you mist your metal hold your piece an arms length away from the misting spray - then sift on your enamel - set it on top of the kiln to dry - you can tell its thoroughly dry and free of moisture when the grains have a lighter hue - then you can place in the kiln and fire.
Thank you. I use the enamelpowder in water when i apply the enamel... So i have just not let i dry long enough. I saw that in a "book" that followed when i bought the enamel kit. It is Thompson i use.
I will try and sift it on another time.
It is a lot try and fail before things go like i plan, but that is also a way of learning....
Again, thank you for fast reply.❤️
Hi Heidi,
Oh I didn't realize you are wet packing - still the same technique of air drying. So important to make sure all the moisture as been evaporated. There are two techniques of applying enamels - sifting and wet packing - you are wet packing - and I assume you are doing cloisonne?
Thank you again. I don't know what i'm doing😁
I will be a bit more patient before firing next time, so i know for sure that it is all dry.
Heidi
You can also take a small piece of paper towel and gently put it on the edge of the enamel and it will absorb water for you - also a cutip-on the edge - then sit it on top of the kiln and let it really dry out.
There are a lot of books on the market on enameling. One that I particularly like for beginners is "enameling On Metal" by Núria López-Ribalta & Eva Pascual i Miró -
For more in depth knowledge as you move along are books by: Linda Darty -The Art if Enameling- also Karen Cohen's "The Art of Fine Enameling."
Good luck, Trish