WarmGlass.com

I was recently at a glass show and saw a beautiful clear glass table with copper fused inside. The color was really light copperand shades of red...did not turn lack like it did for me.....Artist said he coats it with something but would not say what......any ideas?

I have good results using original Unique Glass Paint clear from Unique Colors. http://uniqueglasscolors.com/glasoriginal.htm I clean the copper well, apply one coat clear and fire to full fuse for float glass. You can see pictures at http://photos.yahoo.com/tomwhite2

Best wishes,
Tom in Texas

Spray A and Superspray also work for this.

Els

doctac wrote:I was recently at a glass show and saw a beautiful clear glass table with copper fused inside. The color was really light copperand shades of red...did not turn lack like it did for me.....Artist said he coats it with something but would not say what......any ideas?

I think a dip in borax solution works. Recipes in old archives. It is the cheapest way

Do you spray superspray or spray A directly on the copper and then cover with clear glass?? I am confused. Barbara

yes

Also if you want more of the reds, torch the copper til, it glows then let it cool. Encase it in the glass so that air cannot reach it during the cast and you will get some very nice reds.
j.

What thickness copper are you using? Or does it matter? If you are torching the copper first, it must be fairly thick copper?

Thanks

A very little wire wool placed on the copper will make it retain the colour and, although it doesn't burn away completely, doesn't show much. I don't know why it works though!
Cheryl

My guess about how this works would be that as the steel reacts when the edges of the glass are sealed it robs the oxygen it needs to rust from the copper oxide on the surface of the copper thus brightening the copper.

Best wishes,
Tom in Texas

Are you talking about using steel wool from the hardware store, and just a few threads around the copper or quite a bit more?????? Barbara

I also did a fusing of 2 pieces of 5mm with copper wire. some of the wire is a nice copper colour some have darkened looks very tricky but I shall try some of the other tips.

John

Barbara, yes ordinary steel wool. I've used it only when the copper is completely encased in the glass, I've not tried it for hangings. Just a small amount placed somewhere on the copper is enough. You could do a few test pieces to see how much you need - trying to describe "a small amount" is quite difficult!
Cheryl