Gunk on glass

This is the main board for discussing general techniques, tools, and processes for fusing, slumping, and related kiln-forming activities.

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Lizzie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 5:17 pm
Location: Kalamazoo

Gunk on glass

Post by Lizzie »

Help!
I'm new to this website and new to glass fusing (have been doing stained glass for a number of years). My husband bought me a kiln for my birthday and I've been getting started with it. For a test fire, I fused some one inch squares to get an idea of if and where there might be any hot spots in my kiln. All went well.

For my second "project" I decided to fuse a couple of squares together (one clear and one clear with stringers embedded in it), then slump them in a small mold I have. Well, everything fused just fine, but when I took the glass out of the kiln I noticed some marks on the bottom of the glass. It almost looks as if some of the kiln wash came off on the piece. I didn't re-wash the shelf between my initial and second firings. Does anyone know what this gunk could be and how I might get it off?

Thanks
Lizzie
Tony Smith
Posts: 1037
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 5:59 pm
Location: Massachusetts, USA
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Post by Tony Smith »

Sounds like you diagnosed the problem well. It IS kilnwash and it came off onto your glass.

Take some time and go through the tutorials that Brad has posted or go directly to the troubleshooting section within the tutorials.

http://www.warmglass.com/Troubleshooting.htm

Tony
The tightrope between being strange and being creative is too narrow to walk without occasionally landing on both sides..." Scott Berkun
Judy Schnabel
Posts: 195
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 9:45 pm
Location: SW FL
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Post by Judy Schnabel »

Lizzie,

As Tony suggested, you'll learn a lot from the tutorial on the board.

One thing that is usually suggested to avoid kiln wash sticking to your glass is to fire lower and soak longer.

Judy
Lizzie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 5:17 pm
Location: Kalamazoo

Post by Lizzie »

Thanks Tony and Judy

The tutorial section gave me some good suggestions for removing the gunk. We'll cross our fingers and hope it all comes off.

Lizzie
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