Ferro Fantasie & Flux

Cathy Crain · Post by **Cathy Crain** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:45 pm

I have mixed some colors (2/3 Fantasie & 1/3 Samba) and want a nice gloss on glass & some ceramic blanks. I don't see any mention of Flux in the Fantasie material, but there is in the Samba.

Does anyone know if I should add a coat of Flux on top for gloss?

Thanks,

Cathy

Bert Weiss · Post by **Bert Weiss** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:10 am

Cathy

Give it a try. You may have to cut down tje percentage of Samba in order for the mica in Fantasie to come through strong enough. I think they do a 70/30 Fantasie/Samba mix. Fantasie enamels seem to be mica mixed with flux. They are recommended to be mixed with only lead free enamels like Samba. We did some mixed in with Sunshine and had some colors go black.

Cathy Crain · Post by **Cathy Crain** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:34 am

I just loaded the kiln with several ceramic plates and will see what happens tomorrow. I have mixed several combos of the metallics with samba colors....then, I have mixed some of those colors with plain samba colors in my designs. I have also put a couple of tiles with the same color combos in the kiln but sprayed a layer of flux on top to see if I get a 'different look'.

I will do a run of glass on Sat. if things go OK tomorrow with the ceramics. I have a big show next week and am trying to get some new things ready...These last minute 'experiments' are a pain....no time to screw everything up.

I am still getting a 'texture' when I airbrush. I have heated the pigments like they suggest...I have also put them in a mixer as Wanda at Ferro suggested. I don't know what the deal is. It looks almost like they are drying before the hit the surface...strange. Maybe I am getting them too thick. It is sooooo different to the paints I am use to working with.

By the way...Wanda told me they are discontinuing the Sunshine line
(I have no idea what the difference is between Samba & Sunshine).

Bert Weiss · Post by **Bert Weiss** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:11 pm

Cathy Crain wrote:I just loaded the kiln with several ceramic plates and will see what happens tomorrow. I have mixed several combos of the metallics with samba colors....then, I have mixed some of those colors with plain samba colors in my designs. I have also put a couple of tiles with the same color combos in the kiln but sprayed a layer of flux on top to see if I get a 'different look'.

I will do a run of glass on Sat. if things go OK tomorrow with the ceramics. I have a big show next week and am trying to get some new things ready...These last minute 'experiments' are a pain....no time to screw everything up.

I am still getting a 'texture' when I airbrush. I have heated the pigments like they suggest...I have also put them in a mixer as Wanda at Ferro suggested. I don't know what the deal is. It looks almost like they are drying before the hit the surface...strange. Maybe I am getting them too thick. It is sooooo different to the paints I am use to working with.

By the way...Wanda told me they are discontinuing the Sunshine line
(I have no idea what the difference is between Samba & Sunshine).

Cathy

It probably is drying as it comes out of the sprayer. You can do many diferent things to change the spray pattern and look. Ferro sells spray medium that is mixed with water. You can also use other water miscable mediums watered down and sprayed. Alcohol will speed drying relative to water. You can also use different sized tips, adjust air pressure, or different spray guns.

Sunshine colors have small amounts of lead and cadmium and Samba colors don't. Samba colors require a bit more heat to gloss. Palette 70 colors have lots of lead and cadmium, not foodsafe.