Why Use Hot wax?
Using hot wax in pottery glazing can add a professional touch to your pieces.
Follow these steps for successful results.
First, prioritise safety by ensuring proper ventilation and taking precautions against burns. Heat candle wax in a fry pan until it becomes liquid, keeping the melted wax at a suitable temperature throughout the process.
Dip the bases and feet of your pottery pieces into the liquid wax, being careful to prevent drips back onto the piece. Failure to do so may require refiring in a bisque kiln.
Allow the wax to solidify and mix your glaze thoroughly. Consider using high-speed mixing, then occasionally use a whisk to keep glaze ingredients in suspension in the glaze bucket between dips.
Dip your pottery pieces into the glaze bucket. When dipping the pottery piece coated with wax into the glaze, ensure thorough coverage of both the waxed and unsealed areas. This technique establishes distinct boundaries between the glazed and unglazed sections, with the unglazed area serving the purpose of preventing the pot from sticking to the kiln shelf.
Carefully remove the glazed piece, avoiding any bumps. Once the piece is dry to the touch, use a small paintbrush to dab some wet glaze on any missed areas. Don’t drag your paint brush as your will just pull the glaze already on the pot off, just use a dabbing action.
Also for any minor drips of glaze on the bottom of the waxed piece you can use a slightly damp sponge to wipe off the excess.
During the firing process of pottery glaze, any touch-ups made with glaze will melt and effectively cover any areas that were initially missed during the first dipping of the pottery piece.
Happy Potting to you! 😀
