Oooh, thanks, I just got some enamels and didn’t know this technique, appreciate you guys!!! I know you said 1450 F° for the kiln or use a torch, how do you know when you’ve reached the 1450 with a torch? I imagine the kiln takes way long as it takes 2 hrs for pmc3. Torch seems so much quicker. I have an enamel stand & grill already. Love the idea of painting it, have just been using the powder and it’s so random. Seems like more control to paint it.
Hi Sandy, the kiln does not take much longer. This is always a tricky question because it depends if you’re enameling on steel or copper and what gauge, as the thinner metals heat more quickly. I’d just suggest keeping an eye on it until things look like they’ve glossed, and when in doubt pull them out early to check because you can always re-fire but you don’t want to burn out some of your colors. With a torch, you will want to do the same. Just keep an eye on your piece, and be very careful as Sunshine Enamels will disappear with too high of heat.
I torch fire my Ferro Sunshine paints with a butane torch. I don't really know the temperature of my flame, but I go by sight of the paint on the piece. I've found that I have better control by keeping the flame lower and at a little more of a distance than I normally would when I torch fire. experimenting to get the hang of it.
Awesome I was just looking into stamping enamel. I have a related question: can you stamp with metallic lusters? Maybe use the pens they come in to coat the stamp high parts and stamp with it?
Karen fired the Sunshine Enamels at 1450 but I have seen other Cool Tool videos that suggested using 1380 to 1400 so you don't burn out some color. Could you comment on the best temperature.
Hi! I’d say what ever you are most comfortable with. I keep a close eye on my enamels and check them frequently when my kiln is set that hot to avoid burnout of colors. It won’t hurt to enamel at a lower temperature, pieces might just spend more time in the kiln at that lower temp. - Karen
Thanks for the videos, it's so nice to have these tutorials that y'all make... I do have a question what is the difference between fine line underglaze and fine line over glaze
Hello, glad you are enjoying our videos! The Fine Line Underglaze coats metal surfaces, creating a clean glass substrate surface ready to receive additional enamel colors. The underglaze also eliminates oxidation. The base can give a nice contrast to light colors or metal foils. Lighter colors can also be applied to create different tones. Black would also allow for high contrast colors to show up better--such as an opaque white over the black. The Fine Line Overglaze is used on a fired base coat of enamel, with or without an overcoat of transparent enamel. Hope this helps!
Hi, like lavender oil for this type of painting because it is not as thick as squeegee oil, and it’s not as thin as straight water. I find the workability and drying time of lavender oil as a medium to be ideal for this type of painting, but you could use a different medium like squeegee oil or distilled water if you prefer! Thanks for asking, Karen
Oooh, thanks, I just got some enamels and didn’t know this technique, appreciate you guys!!! I know you said 1450 F° for the kiln or use a torch, how do you know when you’ve reached the 1450 with a torch? I imagine the kiln takes way long as it takes 2 hrs for pmc3. Torch seems so much quicker. I have an enamel stand & grill already. Love the idea of painting it, have just been using the powder and it’s so random. Seems like more control to paint it.
Hi Sandy, the kiln does not take much longer. This is always a tricky question because it depends if you’re enameling on steel or copper and what gauge, as the thinner metals heat more quickly. I’d just suggest keeping an eye on it until things look like they’ve glossed, and when in doubt pull them out early to check because you can always re-fire but you don’t want to burn out some of your colors.
With a torch, you will want to do the same. Just keep an eye on your piece, and be very careful as Sunshine Enamels will disappear with too high of heat.
I torch fire my Ferro Sunshine paints with a butane torch. I don't really know the temperature of my flame, but I go by sight of the paint on the piece. I've found that I have better control by keeping the flame lower and at a little more of a distance than I normally would when I torch fire. experimenting to get the hang of it.
Do you risk damage to a circle cutter with cutting 28 gauge mild steel?
Awesome I was just looking into stamping enamel.
I have a related question: can you stamp with metallic lusters? Maybe use the pens they come in to coat the stamp high parts and stamp with it?
Hello, we have not tested stamping with metallic lusters, so we cannot say for sure whether this would work or not. Thanks for watching!
Karen fired the Sunshine Enamels at 1450 but I have seen other Cool Tool videos that suggested using 1380 to 1400 so you don't burn out some color. Could you comment on the best temperature.
Hi! I’d say what ever you are most comfortable with. I keep a close eye on my enamels and check them frequently when my kiln is set that hot to avoid burnout of colors. It won’t hurt to enamel at a lower temperature, pieces might just spend more time in the kiln at that lower temp. - Karen
Is regular ventilation enough (with a mask) for the lead released in these paints?
Hello, yes. Work in a well ventilated area with a dust mask or respirator when working with leaded enamels.
Thanks for the videos, it's so nice to have these tutorials that y'all make... I do have a question what is the difference between fine line underglaze and fine line over glaze
Hello, glad you are enjoying our videos! The Fine Line Underglaze coats metal surfaces, creating a clean glass substrate surface ready to receive additional enamel colors. The underglaze also eliminates oxidation. The base can give a nice contrast to light colors or metal foils. Lighter colors can also be applied to create different tones. Black would also allow for high contrast colors to show up better--such as an opaque white over the black.
The Fine Line Overglaze is used on a fired base coat of enamel, with or without an overcoat of transparent enamel.
Hope this helps!
Why lavender oil instead of something like squeegee oil or distilled water?
Hi, like lavender oil for this type of painting because it is not as thick as squeegee oil, and it’s not as thin as straight water. I find the workability and drying time of lavender oil as a medium to be ideal for this type of painting, but you could use a different medium like squeegee oil or distilled water if you prefer!
Thanks for asking,
Karen
Are Sunshine Enamels lead based?
Yes, Sunshine Enamels are lead based.