How to Use Amacote When Kiln-Firing Enamels

[@supplybydesign8805]

Wow, so I tried this and all the amacote / scalex got fired into my counter enamel. After reading the comments and Rio's advice, this is apparently what happens and it's very difficult to remove! WTH?? Why would they put out a video from an EXPERT in enameling that shows repeatedly to coat your already enameled side with Amacote or scalex and not disclose that this is going to bond to the enamel? I am blown away and have 4 ruined pieces because of it. I was hoping to avoid the sticking issue I had with my counter enamel and the trivet spikes, which is exactly what he says he does here. Why did you not do a video following through all the way to the end and how, if even, he is able to remove the amacote after firing??!!

[@gailgingrich2020]

I have watched this video several times thinking that I missed a key point. I was working on a pendant of fold formed copper and the front and back were to be the same. I coated the front with scalex (from Thompson) as an oxidizer retardent. The back I covered with antique white opaque 1045. I used three coats and firings to get a good coverage. Because I did not want to paint scalex directly on the enameled side, I painted my firing cloth with scalex. After sifting one layer of enamel on the front side, I turned the piece enameled side down on the cloth. I fired the piece for about 1.5 minutes. After removing it from the kiln, I let it cool a bit. The piece had really stuck to the cloth and when I removed it the cloth pattern and scalex were embedded. This was very difficult to remove using an alundum stone and a diamond file. Any thoughts or comments? Thanks

[@antalyasuat]

Thanks for sharing . I have a question. is the amacote like beadrelase that the lampworker use.

[@kper6318]

THANK YOU! I couldn't find anything on Amacote except to paint it on clean copper surface to prevent fire scale. I had been putting it on fired enamel and it came out of the kiln with a haze that I thought was residual Amacote. After pickling I tried washing with soap, alcohol, Windex, etc. So basically Amacote results in an etch on enamel, but resists fire scale on clean copper. It was also a bit difficult to wash off my pieces with soap and water, "tapping gently" didn't work, and it practically bakes into any texture -- any tips on that?

[@RioGrande1944]

A small amount of Amacote will be embedded in the surface of the fired enamel resulting in a slight haze or discolored effect. The best way to remove it from the enamel is to grind it off with a fine grinding wheel and re-polish. Tapping gently will remove the majority but there will typically be a bit leftover embedded in the enamel. Hope this helps!

[@amccandlesandcameras]

My experience so far is that it all bakes on, thin or thick. I can't get it off with any amount of scrubbing.I was actually looking forward to the frosted look but that is far from what I'm getting. It's super ugly with the streaks of white. Frustrating. Please make a video showing how you get it off and what it looks like afterward. Clearly I must be doing something wrong.

[@DianneCulbertsonJacques]

Hi Ricky, thanks for another great video. I have been getting trivet marks on my pieces and you know how much extra work that becomes. One question though...how is the Amacote removed after firing?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Dianne, We asked our Jewelry Tech Team about this, and here's what they said: Amacote will actually fire into the enamel. If it's put onto the back of a piece, this would be difficult to remove and grind away. Usually, Amacote goes on and will be on the back of a closed bezel so it doesn’t show. If the intention is to have both sides of the enameled piece show, the best advice is not to apply the Amacote. Hope this helps.

[@MariaLanger]

@@RioGrande1944 This really needs to be said IN THE VIDEO. I watched the entire video waiting for an explanation of why this would be used and how it could be removed but got nothing. I was left with more questions than answers.

[@RioGrande1944]

@@MariaLanger Thank you for your feedback, we will definitley look into this.

[@huskyfluffy]

Hi! Love learning about enamel And, I'm glad to know I don't need a kiln! I hope to learn why a kiln is ever even needed, if it can be done this way. Why are these pieces starting out with enamel on the back side? Are these titanium trivets? I have some that look like the ones you're using, yet have been told they are titanium trivets, which they say don't at as a heat sink. Are these not titanium.. cuz you say they will act as a heat sink. You say that, when you use the amacote, the back won't look shinny. But I don't understand what it's literally for. Is it like how when yellow ocher is used while soldering, it prevents the applied areas from melting or flowing as it usually would,? Sorry for so many questions,!!Thanks so much!

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi There! Thank you so much for these questions. Our Jewelry Tech Team would love to talk to you and work through the enameling process. They can be reached at 800.545.6566-7 a.m. to 6 p.m. MST, Monday through Friday (ask for our Jewelry Tech Team). Hope this helps!

[@andym5213]

Hi, does anyone know where I may get Woven Fiber Discs in the UK?

[@Kolahh]

Hey! Thanks for the video. I was wondering why my enamel surface just popped off the metal with the scalex. Do you have an idea?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hey there - Since the Scalex forms a barrier between the metal and enamel, your enamel piece will pop off the metal, and if you’re lucky, won’t leave any marks. More often than not, you will have a slight mark left from the metal firing screen. We hope this helps!

[@iksherman12]

Hi Ricky -- another question. Once you're done, how do you remove the Amacote from the piece?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hello Irene, Dianne in the comments below asked a similar question. Here was the best advice from Rio's Jewelry Tech Team: Amacote will actually fire into the enamel. If it's put onto the back of a piece, this would be difficult to remove and grind away. Usually, Amacote goes on and will be on the back of a closed bezel so it doesn’t show. If the intention is to have both sides of the enameled piece show, the best advice is not to apply the Amacote. Hope this helps.

[@JanniGrahn]

Where do i get the firering cloth like the one you are using?

[@kper6318]

I bought mine at Rio, Amocote too. www.riogrande.com/Product/woven-fiber-4-12-kiln-disc/350049

[@CrisRadu_travels]

So the Amacote remains on the back of the piece for good or can it be removed at the end of the last firing? Thanks!

[@RioGrande1944]

A small amount of Amacote will be embedded in the surface of the fired enamel resulting in a slight haze or discolored effect. The best way to remove it from the enamel is to grind it off with a fine grinding wheel and re-polish. Tapping gently will remove the majority but there will typically be a bit leftover embedded in the enamel. Hope this helps!

[@iksherman12]

Can this product be used for multiple firings? What if it cracks -- do I reapply?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Irene, Thanks for watching. This should hold up through multiple firings. If there are cracks or you find that it sticks, you can re-apply if needed. Hope this helps.

[@mahmoodahmad885]

Kindly tell me about anticracking agent.

[@TreseMari]

Can you put the firing cloth directly on the Kiln floor without using a trivet or rack? And if so do you need to add Emma coat? Or can you just put a non ammonia mold bottom directly on to the Kiln cloth? I have a very small ultralite kiln which I accidentally got enamel on the bottom of my kiln floor.

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi there - You can just place the cloth directly on the floor. Hope this is helpful!

[@loganwilson3040]

Where do i get firing cloth from?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Logan, Thanks for your question. The Woven Fiber Kiln Disc can be purchased from Rio, and you can find it here: www.riogrande.com/product/woven-fiber-4-1-2-kiln-disc/350049 Hope this helps!

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Logan, Thanks for your question. The Woven Fiber Kiln Disc can be purchased from Rio, and you can find it here: www.riogrande.com/product/woven-fiber-4-1-2-kiln-disc/350049 Hope this helps!

[@loganwilson3040]

i need parts for my speed fire kiin

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Logan, Thanks for your post. Unfortunately, this product is no longer manufactured, and it is not carried by Rio.