How Transparent Enamel Interacts with Copper

[@sistersilver]

I purchased an enamel "shop" setup from a person and have noticed that your little demo helped me understand how she got some of the colors she worked with. Thanks for clearing a few things up for me!

[@RioGrande1944]

You're so welcome, Randy! We're glad we could help. Let us know if there are any questions you have for us!

[@mrgreene3290]

Love Ricky's educational videos on glass enamels, thanks Rio for producing them. Also, very much enjoy revisiting the basics of enamels and finding there are always new things to learn, as well as tips and steps I've forgotten. Looking forward to the next video class.

[@Самоделионполезион]

I would learn English just because such masters speak it.

[@ceafva]

Fantastic video. Thank you so much. Very clear and concise and I sure did need this.

[@RioGrande1944]

Thank you! We so appreciate hearing that :)

[@geraldinebrophy4320]

So I am one of those artists who really like the color variations of the uncleared enameling. I see great earrings or necklaces just letting the copper oxides do their thing. Lovely.

[@AndyDaviesByTheSea]

Thank you for this. I'm just getting into enamelling and I was making the mistake of applying the counter enamel first and then applying the flux and not getting it hot enough to eat the oxides. Kind regards . . . . Andy from the UK

[@RioGrande1944]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Самоделионполезион]

I first apply a supersaturated borax solution to the copper. I make all the compounds myself because the latter are expensive. The activity is just a hobby. Your lessons are very informative. I use a translator.

[@RioGrande1944]

Thanks for sharing your process!

[@hollygaskins7733]

Oh my! Now I know what I am doing wrong. Thanks for a great video.

[@liz-annawaugh955]

Thank you. You always explain things so well! Do you have a video on using enamel threads or pieces?

[@kimt2au]

Thank you for this fantastic video. How would you deal with oxidation when using copper for cloisonne and hyou always have the top of the wires exposed as you are firing?

[@jamiconroy7841]

Great video!! Perfect instruction, I learned quite a lot.....just what I needed.... yet another fun hobby to try! Thanks so much!!

[@Cochranflutes]

Great video!

[@DebraSpinks]

This is a very informative demo. Will clearing the oxidation also erase any LOS that is on the piece?

[@ruthpallek5202]

Does sparex have the ability to etch the low firing enamels ?...I noticed on occasion a more dull look after having the piece sit in sparex when cleaning off the firescale.

[@RioGrande1944]

Yes, The longer you keep the enamels in the pickle the more of a chance you have of etching the glass. Some enamels are more prone to etching than others and the leaded enamels are considerably more prone to etching on the surface. Try to keep your enamels in the pickle as short of a time as possible.

[@jorgeromero663]

Do you sell directly to the clients l mean not using an intermediator? Do I have to buy a certain amount of money? What if I don't have a credit card? How do you calculate for delivery?

[@wsimmons580]

How does one go about using white enamel? I bought some from you kind folks and it has little black specs in it. Is there a higher grade I need to buy?

[@bluessixstring48]

Thank You , nice job

[@howtodiychannel794]

Do you counter enamel before or after torch clearing?

[@22nola]

Great video! I picked up a lot of information and flux isn’t nearly as mysterious.

[@andym5213]

What gauge mesh do you recommend for your firing rack and trivets ? As always an excellent video m- I am learning so much from you and your colleagues at Rio plus the other 'schools' that regularly show on here

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Andy, Thanks for asking! We'll consult with our Jewelry Tech Team and get back to you as soon as we can. Our offices are closing for the weekend soon, but we'll have an answer for you early next week!

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Andy, We're so glad that you're finding these videos to be helpful. The firing racks and trivets in these videos are all pre-fabricated from heavy-gauge stainless steel. The closest approximation would be 6-10 gauge. They're very sturdy!

[@andym5213]

@@RioGrande1944 Hi, thanks for coming back to me on this - I had guessed pretty much at 6 to 10 gauge and am in the process of fabricating a selection of supports for Kiln and Torch Firing

[@RioGrande1944]

@@andym5213 Wow! Good for you.

[@gailgingrich2020]

How do you decide which flux to use? I have been using clear 1040 which is hard fusing.

[@elenaroukhadze4518]

Why different type of fluxes are used?

[@jenwhitedesigns]

Are there any known issues using an acetylene Presto-lite torch For this process?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Jenn. Thanks for asking! You can use an acetylene torch to fire enamels, but be sure that you only fire from below. Bringing the torch up on the top surface can discolor enamels, this will be most apparent on white or light colored enamels. It can also give a “Pearl” effect to transparent enamels (sometimes this effect looks good; sometimes it doesn't). Hope this helps, and have a great day!

[@altar7885]

If instead of a flat disc it was a carved medallion with some relief, would it still be possible to enamel it in this way? Can enameling only be done on flat surfaces?

[@grossleg123]

altar7 you can enamel on domed surface see NANCY ENAMEL CABOCHONS

[@altar7885]

Great thanks a lot. Is it different for sterling silver, yellow 14K gold, or rose 14K gold?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hey altar7, Thanks for the kind words! Don't forget to subscribe to the channel! kzbin.info/door/3u2Bnwf-959Wako0Dk93TA

[@heironimu]

altar7 o

[@maxx6936]

how does that dust mask work, he covered his nose but it appeared to be open enough to fit almost three fingers Between it and his chin

[@fnyfrm]

Where is the link for the flux at Rio?

[@fnyfrm]

So now I see that you are ferrying to clear transparent enamels. Not " flux"

[@RioGrande1944]

Flux, in the enameling world, is another name for clear enamel. We offer several different kinds of clear enamel depending on the piece you’re doing, and whether you are firing the first flux layer onto your metal, or coating the top of your colors. You will find the products here: www.riogrande.com/search/go?w=enamel%20flux The product description will give you more information about which clear enamel would be best for your application. Hope this helps!

[@Ritzo268]

Wire work pendant pendant s

[@theskett]

@@RioGrande1944 Link's now broken, but thanks for the clarification (which you also made in the video :-)

[@karenw8929]

VERY helpful. Enamel on silver is beautiful, but for a more artsy BOHO look for local street markets, copper is more affordable. I didn't know how to proceed.

[@RioGrande1944]

Excellent. We are glad this was helpful.

[@ek7327]

Grease from the fingertips, as well as dust particles that got into the enamel, burn during the firing and leave gas bubbles trapped in the enamel or, even worse, open pores.

[@lvgaj]

What size of torch tip is he using in this video?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi There, Thanks for watching. It's difficult for us to tell exactly which tip is being used here, but it is a larger tip. Most likely, #7 or #6. Hope this helps!

[@melindaeash7192]

What kind of torch are you using?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Melinda, that is the Smith Little Torch with a propane/oxygen mix. Here is the link to them on our website: www.riogrande.com/search/go?w=smith+little+torch+

[@ArleneShermam]

So if it has already been fired but not cleared, can you fire it again to clear it.

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Arlene, There are a few things that can create cloudy enamels. The first is too thick of a layer. Too thick of a layer can trap air between the grains of glass creating a cloudy appearance. The glass can be fired again. Often, it can be cleared up more with additional firings. Hope this helps.

[@johnderwin]

Hi can you tell me how I can stop getting trivet marks when I counter enamel the marks are from where the piece touches the trivet Thanks

[@RioGrande1944]

There are a couple of tips to help prevent this, but most importantly only the edge of the piece should touch the trivet, so getting a larger trivet would help. If the trivet touches enamel, it will stick. Using the minimum amount of enamel will also help prevent this as well, thick enamel will stick to the trivet. Lastly, letting the piece cool completely before removing it from the trivet will keep the glass from being hot and soft and sticking.

[@johnderwin]

@@RioGrande1944 thank you so That’s a great help

[@jenwhitedesigns]

@riogrande this was a very helpful comparison. Ty! Question-Wondering if you’d be willing to do another side by side comparison of fluxes on silver? There are so many options it’s a bit confusing IMO.

[@aonguyentrong3477]

Hi Sir. I'm designing watch, and i want to make color for dial. Coul you help me how can i buy Enamel Powder? I come from Vietnam. Thanks you

[@erbigimbi9903]

Typically, enamel dials are made of six to nine layers to make them durable and lustrous looking, which means the process takes a very long time. Each layer has to be sanded smooth in order to guarantee an even application and thickness across the dial. Then, another layer of enamel powder is applied, fired again, sanded, and the process is repeated multiple times. The results of each layer are not guaranteed however, as bubbles could form or a foreign agent from the kiln could find its way onto the dial. For these reasons, enamel dials have a high failure rate.

[@ethanirwin9186]

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[@littlepero]

what's the product to prevent oxidation?

[@Самоделионполезион]

Borax prevents oxidation.