search  current discussion  categories  materials - misc 

wax on smoked pots

updated sat 16 jan 99

 

Janet Harper on wed 2 dec 98

Hi Clayarters! This question is for those of you that make burnished smoked
pots. After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with? I have been
polishing them with floor wax because that is what I had on hand. I've heard
of using bee's wax polish but don't know where to find it. Do you have any
suggestions? TIA--Janet (in East Tennessee where I was wearing shorts and
sandals on Dec 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing in the stores!)

pduncan on thu 3 dec 98

Janet,

I have had great success using Skidmore's Liquid Beeswax on my pit fired
pots. It leaves a very soft sheen and applies like a dream. Build up
several coats. I think we got it from a mail order woodworkers catalog
(my husband makes furniture and we get every know catalog of associated
woodworking stuff) The address on the bottle is:
Skidmore's
652 North Pierce
Laramie, WY 82070

800-785-2466

Good luck, Pam in WI after a week of record setting HI temps....
where is my snow, I wanna ski

John Guerin on thu 3 dec 98

In a message dated 12/2/98 2:47:26 PM PST, JSMHarper@AOL.COM writes:

<< Hi Clayarters! This question is for those of you that make burnished
smoked
pots. After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with? I have been
polishing them with floor wax because that is what I had on hand. I've heard
of using bee's wax polish but don't know where to find it. Do you have any
suggestions? TIA--Janet (in East Tennessee where I was wearing shorts and
sandals on Dec 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing in the stores!) >>


Hi Janet,

Liquid floor wax is a good sealer and gives you a nice shine since it is
essentially a liquid plastic. However I have found that JASCO TILE SEALER
works very well. It is available at Home Depot and give you a very durable
and shiny surface.

John Guerin
Tucson., AZ

Brenda Woods on thu 3 dec 98

Dear Janet,
I have burnished a couple of pieces and after they were smoked I washed them
and sprayed them with a clear varnish type spray. They came out beautiful.
let me know how you like it.
Brenda Woods :)
----------
>From: Janet Harper
>To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
>Subject: Re: wax on smoked pots
>Date: Wed, Dec 2, 1998, 5:46 PM
>

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi Clayarters! This question is for those of you that make burnished smoked
>pots. After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with? I have been
>polishing them with floor wax because that is what I had on hand. I've heard
>of using bee's wax polish but don't know where to find it. Do you have any
>suggestions? TIA--Janet (in East Tennessee where I was wearing shorts and
>sandals on Dec 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing in the stores!)

Thom Lambert on thu 3 dec 98

Quit bragging about the weather!

I am smoke firing as I write this (in Ontario, where I could be wearing
shorts, and sandals, but it's too cold). I polish my pots with "Minwax".
I believe that it is a general purpose wood polish/protectant. I get the
best results if I reheat my pots in a 200 degree oven, and then apply
the wax. It seems to soak in better, and gives a less "artificial"
finish to the pots.

Good Luck

Claudia O Driscoll on thu 3 dec 98

Janet,
I use car wax with carnuba to finish my pots. It brings out the shine
beautifully and does not 'have side effects'. It just gives that burnishing a
bit of an extra punch.

Claudia.....in rainy Oregon

Jim Brooks on thu 3 dec 98

Your local greenware store.. ceramic shop.or whatever... will have spray cans
of ceramic finishes..usually in clear...gloss, satin. or matt... I have
found these to hold up better ..and easier to use, than wax...Check them
out..you may like them better also..

Mike Delaney on thu 3 dec 98

I polish with shoe polish- kiwi- black, brown, etc.

----------
> From: Janet Harper
> To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
> Subject: Re: wax on smoked pots
> Date: Wednesday, December 02, 1998 5:46 PM
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi Clayarters! This question is for those of you that make burnished
smoked
> pots. After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with? I have
been
> polishing them with floor wax because that is what I had on hand. I've
heard
> of using bee's wax polish but don't know where to find it. Do you have
any
> suggestions? TIA--Janet (in East Tennessee where I was wearing shorts
and
> sandals on Dec 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing in the stores!)

the cat lady on thu 3 dec 98

At 05:46 PM 12/2/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi Clayarters! This question is for those of you that make burnished smoked
>pots. After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with? I have been
>polishing them with floor wax because that is what I had on hand. I've heard
>of using bee's wax polish but don't know where to find it. Do you have any
>suggestions? TIA--Janet (in East Tennessee where I was wearing shorts and
>sandals on Dec 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing in the stores!)
>
I brush on artist medium. It's available at any art supply store and
comes in a variety of finishes...from matt to shiny and anywhere in-between.
I prefer the matt, though my customers prefer satin to shiny.

sam - alias the cat lady
Melbourne, Ontario
SW Ontario CANADA
http://www.geocities.com/paris/3110
scuttell@odyssey.on.ca

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods.
Cats have never forgotten this."

Lynne Berman on fri 4 dec 98

I use Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax, a clear paste wax, comes in a white can
with orange trim. But occasionally white chalky stuff comes through after I
have waxed a pot. These are terra sigged, burnished, Weber grill fired with
sawdust. Anyone have any ideas what that is and how to make it go away.
Actually, if I use Master Gel clear finish is doesn't come back but I don't
like the finish as much as wax.

Lynne Berman

The Allens on fri 4 dec 98

I just used some navy blue shoe creme on a smoked pot. Very nice! I'm
going to pick up some cordovan soon.

Carla Allen
ridgerun@scrtc.blue.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Claudia O Driscoll
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Thursday, December 03, 1998 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: wax on smoked pots -Reply


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Janet,
I use car wax with carnuba to finish my pots. It brings out the shine
beautifully and does not 'have side effects'. It just gives that burnishing
a
bit of an extra punch.

Claudia.....in rainy Oregon

Mike Gordon on fri 4 dec 98

hi,
It would be a good idea to check the labels of the commercial spray cans
for ceramics or any other use. Some are very toxic and use horrible
ingredients as propellants! Mike

kurt l wild on fri 4 dec 98

Two things I have done. 1. Used an acrycilc floor wax and diluted it
with water to give the sheen or lack of sheen (soft satin finifsh) I
desire and still seal the pot. I'd suggest starting with a mix of 1/2
and 1/2 and go from there.

2. My favorite finish though is Tung oil - NOT Tung oil varnish!
Tung oil varnish gives too glossy and a sort of artificial looking
finish to a piece to suit me.
Kurt Wild
1000 E. Cascade
River falls, WI 54022 Phone: (715) 425-5715

web site: http://www.uwrf.edu/art/faculty/Wild

Dannon Rhudy on sat 5 dec 98



Are you washing your pots when you take them from
the fire? If so, the odds are VERY good that there is
moisture remaining in the pot. When it evaporates off/out,
it will cause the wax to look chalky/dusty. First advice is,
don't use water to clean pots fired to such a low temp. Second
advice is, if you do, make sure they are absolutely dry before
you apply any wax. Never get in a fight with water; water
always wins...

Dannon Rhudy
potter@koyote.com


At 10:01 AM 12/4/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I use Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax, a clear paste wax, comes in a white can
>with orange trim. But occasionally white chalky stuff comes through after I
>have waxed a pot. These are terra sigged, burnished, Weber grill fired with
>sawdust. Anyone have any ideas what that is and how to make it go away.
>Actually, if I use Master Gel clear finish is doesn't come back but I don't
>like the finish as much as wax.
>
>Lynne Berman
>

Timothy Dean Malm on sat 5 dec 98

greetings: Consider bowling alley wax, sometimes available at woodworking
stores to polish burnished pots if your desire is to have a better sheen.
To use it, warm up your pot in an oven on low for ten to fifteen minuites
or until a hot pad must be used to remove it. Simply wipe on the wax with
a soft clothe.The wax will melt and absorb into the clay When pot has
cooled to room temp., buff the pot with a soft clothe or part of an old
nylon stocking. I use this method to polish soapstone and alabaster
sculptures also. Process can be repeated 'tilsheen is at the level you
desire. Sincerely, Tim Malm

Stephani Stephenson on sat 5 dec 98

When I wax smoked pots I use "Trewax" , it's caranuba paste wax, .You
may find it with car waxes at a local store. I put it on pieces while
they are warm. I've used it on non smoke fired pieces as well.
Steph / San Marcos CA

Candice Roeder on mon 7 dec 98

Lynne,

In my experience, the white,chalky stuff is the clay body being eroded
by salt. If you use salt in the firing, and it gets into the matrix of
the clay body, it will eventually absorb moisture (from the air for
instance) and expand, thus eroding the clay. I've even had salt itself
come back out of the clay.

I've also had an experience of a "white beard" growing on the pot. This
happended when the pot had been washed after firing, then waxed before
allowing the pot to dry for at least 24 hours before waxing.

Candice Roeder

Lynne Berman wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I use Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax, a clear paste wax, comes in a white can
> with orange trim. But occasionally white chalky stuff comes through after I
> have waxed a pot. These are terra sigged, burnished, Weber grill fired with
> sawdust. Anyone have any ideas what that is and how to make it go away.
> Actually, if I use Master Gel clear finish is doesn't come back but I don't
> like the finish as much as wax.
>
> Lynne Berman

judy motzkin on tue 8 dec 98

My choice of finish on terra sigillata pit or saggar fired pieces is a
painter's wax medium called Dorlands. I get it at Pearl Art or other
art supply stores. It is fine and non yellowing.
I have used Bowling alley paste wax or carnauba wax finish, good but
not as white or fine.
I have tried a variety of acrylic sprays, smelly and toxic, yuch.

If you are getting scumming after polishing, you may be victim of
soluble salts migrating to the surface. Soaking the pot in ater will
exacerbate this. This happens more with red clay. The solution we used
to use was a bit of barium in the clay body. Is this still the cure
or is barium too dangerous.
Judy




_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

Janet Harper on sat 9 jan 99

Hi Clayarters! This question is for those of you that make burnished smoked
pots. After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with? I have been
polishing them with floor wax because that is what I had on hand. I've heard
of using bee's wax polish but don't know where to find it. Do you have any
suggestions? TIA--Janet (in East Tennessee where I was wearing shorts and
sandals on Dec 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing in the stores!)

Karen Shapiro on sun 10 jan 99

Hi Janet,

Great place to get waxes (also other finishes and wonderful woodworking tools)
is Garrett Wade (www.garrettwade.com). I learned about them from a workshop
with Bennett Bean. Check it out.

Karen in Sonoma

Tim Skeen on sun 10 jan 99

Hi Janet,
I sawdust and smoke, burnished and terra sig. pots. I clean the pots, let
them dry for a few days or in the oven on low. While the pot is still warm
I apply Trewax or Bees wax and buff to a polished sheen and feel. You can
get Trewax at a hardware store and Bees wax at a local craft store or craft
catalog. I found if you apply the wax on a cold pot it is hard on the hands
and wrists to buff. If you have any other questions please e-mail. I'm new
to this so I hope I'm on the right track with this info... There are others
on the list that have more experience. I think polishing is so relaxing.
Have Fun!
Audrey taskeen@bellatlantic.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Janet Harper
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Saturday, January 09, 1999 3:59 PM
Subject: Re: wax on smoked pots


>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Hi Clayarters! This question is for those of you that make burnished
smoked
>pots. After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with? I have
been
>polishing them with floor wax because that is what I had on hand. I've
heard
>of using bee's wax polish but don't know where to find it. Do you have any
>suggestions? TIA--Janet (in East Tennessee where I was wearing shorts and
>sandals on Dec 1st and "Winter Wonderland" was playing in the stores!)
>

Claudia O Driscoll on sun 10 jan 99

The best thing I have found for finishing the burnished smoked pots is "Trewax"
Claudia
clarayo@molalla.net

Judy Frederick on mon 11 jan 99

Hi,
I have only done one burnished for class. My teacher had my get old
fashioned "Johnson's Paste Wax" which I looked high and low for, with no
avail. I finally go a furniture paste wax from Home Depot in the Furniture
Refinishing department. It worked well and was not that expensive. I put on
three coats with polishing in between. I don't know if you can find Bee's wax
there or not, worth a try maybe though.

Judy

Patricia J. Smith on mon 11 jan 99

Janet, I use a product called TreWax found in hardware stores, and not all
stores carry it. It is used to polish wood, and works real good.

Patricia Joslin Smith
Black Bear Pottery
Ioway1@aol.com

bluemoon on tue 12 jan 99

Janet Harper wrote:
Janet , a good friend told me to use a paist wax , it works great. you
can buff it to a nice shine. Reg

Lynne Berman on tue 12 jan 99

This suggestion came from another Clayarter and I really like it: try Dorlands
wax medium from an art supply store like Pearls.

Lynne Berman in snowy downtown Philadelphia

Jeanne Murdock on tue 12 jan 99

At 03:57 PM 1/9/99 -0500, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>After you clean off the soot, what do you finish it with?

>Hell-o Tenn!

I have used a spray acrylic sealer (sometimes gloss, sometimes satin). The
fumes are the down side. Customers really like the gloss.

Good luck
jeanne - concord, nc

MARCELLO BEROLATTI DE LA CUBA on thu 14 jan 99

Janet :
Try pig fat, it is a very old technique used in Peru to polish pieces
(smoked or not), you should use to apply it a piece of leather.

ANI B



Joan Hilton on fri 15 jan 99

try dorlans wax. you can get it a Pearl Paint. It is soft and wonderful,
though much more costly than pig fat.