[Saoirse]

Hi, I just took a plate out of the kiln that I painted with wax resist separating the colors and lo and behold I didn't overglaze one small, but, important area.
Will I need to reapply all the wax resist to refire the plate? Would appreciate any advice that someone has, who uses a lot of wax resist. Thank you.

[Marcia Selsor]

I think it depends on how you apply glaze to the missed area. if you are brushing it on,then no. if you are dipping or spraying maybe. could you wipe off the new glaze from unwanted areas since it should be sealed with a fired glazed surface?You may have a problem getting the new glaze to adhere to the missed area. you may have to add something to the glaze to help it stick or heat up the piece.
Marcia

[Red Rocks]

I have recently discovered in a workshop that I much prefer using hot paraffin to wax the bottom of pots before glazing as opposedto the liquid wax resist I have used forever. It makes cleaning the bottoms off before firing a real breeze.

Does anyone have any tips for how to use this methodfor large platters and dinner plates? Iam having trouble because my fingers get too close to the hot wax.

Thanks

[Mark C.]

Red Rocks

hot paraffin is limited to the size of the hot dip pan-we use a 14 inch electric pan for hot dipping.Just opened another case of paraffin yesterday-you can find a lager pan and use a hot plate.
Our plates have feet so hot dips will not work well for them.

Keep in mind all the safety things with hot wax

Hot dip is only really good for flat bottom forms-those with nice trimmed feet still get had waxed-we use a damp sponge to apply mobil A wax (the liquid stuff) never a brush (to slow)
You could use a brush with hot dip but that takes more time than sponging.
Mark

[Marcia Selsor]

You can use a hot plate with large metal 18" pan. I had an old double burner hot plate I used with a large metal pan.
Marcia

[Red Rocks]

Thanks Marcia and Mark. I will try the liquid wax resist with a sponge. My biggest complaint with it is that it does not resist the glaze with anywhere near the effectiveness of the hot wax.

I wonder if you could do the clean line on the foot with the liquid and then dip the rest? I will try that as a way of being able to use the hot wax for the majority of it.

[atanzey]

Red Rocks - You can also brush on hot wax; I know because I just did a foot that way. If you're doing large platters, it would probably help to heat up the surface a bit, maybe with a blow dryer, and use a large, soft brush. But I was surprised how easily it brushed on.

[kathi]

Saoirse,
Use a wire plate hanger (only backwards....). Then you have something to hang onto while you set your plate in the wax.
Kathi

[Red Rocks]

kathi, on 30 July 2012 - 07:29 PM, said:

Saoirse,
Use a wire plate hanger (only backwards....). Then you have something to hang onto while you set your plate in the wax.
Kathi

I like the wire hanger idea and will definitely try heating up larger pieces before brushing on the wax. Many thanks.