Cómo hacer esmaltes al fuego

How to Make Fire Enamels: A Step-by-Step Guide for Jewelry   

To obtain a shiny, transparent glaze, it must be prepared carefully. The first step is to grind the glaze. For this, a porcelain mortar with a diameter of 17-18 cm is used; for fine grinding, an agate mortar can be used. Using pressure and gentle circular movements with a small addition of distilled water, the glaze must be stirred with a mortar, pressing it against the walls. The cloudy water is drained and replaced with fresh water. Grinding continues until the desired grind coarseness is achieved.

How to Make Fire Glazes

                                                                                                            Photo 1. Porcelain mortar

                                                                                                                                                NAIL POLISH WASH.

    Already during the grinding process, changing the water purifies the glaze. The fully ground glaze is placed in a glass or clear plastic container and filled with distilled water. The glaze is then allowed to sit for several minutes, and the cloudy water that has settled on top is drained off and replaced with clean water. The process must be repeated until the water above the glaze becomes completely clear. This step is especially important for transparent glazes.

How to make fired enamel

                                                                                                          Photo 2. Washing the enamel.

                                                                                                                                              METAL PREPARATION.

    Before applying enamel to a piece of silver, it must be annealed several times and then immersed in a 10% sulfuric acid solution. This causes the metal to recrystallize and de-stress, and burns off any remaining contaminants, oils, and grease.

                                                                                                                                              APPLY NAIL POLISH WITH A BRUSH.

    The brush should be stiff and have a pointed end. Its size depends
on the amount of glaze applied. Dip it in a glass of water, remove the excess water on a linen napkin, sharpening the end, and brush it over the moistened glaze so that a piece of glaze the size of a grain of rice remains at the tip of the brush.
The glaze should have such a moisture content that it can be mixed with a brush and the necessary amount of water can be captured; Excess water can be removed with filter paper.

fired enamels

                                                                                       Photo 4. Correct amount of polish to apply

fired enamel

                                                                                       Photo 5. Applying enamel with a brush.

                                                                                                                                                       DRYING OF ENAMEL.

Before firing, the applied glaze must be completely dry, as at the firing temperature , the water boils and evaporates, and the glaze can bounce off the base. To do this, the glazed piece is placed near a heated muffle furnace until completely dry.

                                                                                                                                               GLAZE FIRING.

    The most important rule for kiln enamel is “high temperature – short firing.” Most enamels begin to melt at 800 degrees. For novice enamelers, it’s best to set the temperature between 780 and 880 degrees.
The firing base with the enameled piece is carefully grasped with tongs or a spatula and placed in the kiln. Avoid knocking, as dried enamel crumbles easily.

How to apply fired enamel

                                                                                                        Photo 5. Baking glaze.   

    A well-fired glaze has a cherry-red color and a mirror-like shine; its surface should not be wavy.

hot enamel

                                                                                                       Photo 6. Molten enamel.

    Gentle cooling of baked enamel is important, as metal and enamel cool differently, and sudden temperature changes or drafts can cause the enamel layer to crack or chip.

Usually, one coat of glaze is not enough; it is applied and fired several times until the desired thickness and shine are achieved.

How to make hot enamel

                                                                                                          Photo 7. Finished enamel

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