Kiln Wash, 1lb

Kiln Wash, 1 lb. Apply at least 2 coats. Fire on and apply a third to assure a good coverage.

Are you tired of glazes running and pots getting stuck to your kiln shelves? Kiln shelves are expensive and a pain to replace, so when they get marred by glaze drips, it can really cut down on productivity. Using kiln wash on shelves helps to prevent such problems. Using kiln wash lengthens the life of the shelves, and accidental glaze drippings are easily removed without damage.

The Ceramic Shop's Kiln Wash is a dry, pre-made powder that can easily be mixed with water just prior to use. Simply dissolve the powdered kiln wash in a small bucket with water until it is a milky consistency (similar to a thin glaze). Then use a wide brush to apply a thin coat onto the shelf (shelves should be clean prior to kiln wash application). Here at The Ceramic Shop, we frequently treat kiln shelves as part of our daily production work, and we have found that the liquid tends to dry very fast. In order to counteract this, we find that if you wipe down your kiln shelves with a damp sponge immediately before applying kiln wash, this really helps with an even application. After the initial coat, let the kiln wash dry and apply additional coats until the thickness is about 1/16". Let each layer dry in between coats. If kiln wash is applied too thickly, it will flake off and chip more readily. During the first application, we recommend applying 2 coats, firing the shelf and then applying a third. You don't have to do a special firing just to fire those first two coats; load the shelves with bisque work and you will be good to go!

Kiln wash is composed of refractory materials (components that can be fired to high temperatures) such as alumina and zirconium. At The Ceramic Shop, we have learned through our own firings (and mishaps!) what makes an ideal kiln wash, and we have tweaked our recipe so that it is easy to apply, dries evenly and adheres well to the shelf. It can still fire to high temperatures (works well at cone 10), and we have added a special ingredient to enhance the adhesive properties of the wash. Often kiln washes flake off the shelves easily, causing chips to fall throughout the kiln and into pots. We find that if applied correctly, the The Ceramic Shop’s Kiln Wash can withstand numerous firings. Once the wash begins to come off, you can sand or grind down your shelves and apply a new coat.

We highly recommend the use of kiln wash to protect your shelves. This will greatly extend the life of your shelf and save you money and the hassle of replacing shelves. If the glazes runs off of a pot and the piece sticks to an unwashed shelf, chances are you will lose both the shelf and the pot - no good! But, with kiln washed shelves, you can still save your pot and your shelf, even when issues with glaze running come up. Kiln wash may stick to your pot and glaze may stick to the kiln wash, but both can usually be sanded or grinded off, saving both the pot and the shelf!

While kiln wash is a great benefit to ceramic artists, it can also be used as a Glass Separator, for those working with glass kilns.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Silica, crystalline (airborne particles of respirable size), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.