|
Removing
Kiln Wash
from the Kiln Shelf
Although it's not as hard to remove as kiln
wash that's been fired onto the underside of a piece of glass,
removing baked on kiln wash from the kiln shelf can be difficult
and time consuming.
Here are a few suggestions to make the task
go easier.
1. Use a paint scraper, wet/dry
sandpaper, open-weave sandpaper, or even a scrap piece of glass to clean the
shelf. This works best if you clean the shelves often or
after every firing.
2. An electric sander works very well
for cleaning more stubborn problems. Try a small hand sander or even a larger
belt sander. A 60 grit sanding pad of either aluminum oxide or
silicon carbide will remove the kiln wash quickest, but regular
medium grit sand paper can work also.
3. Consider switching to a kiln wash formula made
for easier removal. Try Hotline's Primo Primer or the 80%
alumina hydrate / 20% kaolin recipe on this page. These
can usually be removed with a damp paper towel and a minimum
(sometimes none) of scrubbing.
4. For really stubborn jobs, immerse
the kiln shelf in water for a couple of days. The kiln wash will
come off fairly easily with a paint scraper.
And remember, it's a good idea to wear a
respirator or mask when cleaning shelf primer from your kilns.
While the dust is nuisance dust (rather than more toxic), it can
be irritating if inhaled.
Click here for some tips
on dealing with dust when you remove kiln wash from the shelf.
----------------
Copyright 2005 Brad Walker. All rights
reserved.
Most of these tips came from
posters on the Warm Glass bulletin board.
|
