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Paradise Paints
Paradise Paints are enamels that are made and marketed by Paradise &
Co., which is located in Paradise, California, USA. The
enamels are very popular with glassblowers and can also be used for
many kiln based projects.
Paradise Paints, which are lead-based, are
available in two different
forms -- powder you mix with the binder of your choice and also
pre-mixed with a pine oil binder. The pine oil mixture is
extremely thick and has a very intense odor. For this reason,
it's a very good idea to use the pre-mixed enamels in a
well-ventilated area.
If you mix the powder with a binder, you
can use any standard binder. CMC mixtures, Klyr-fire, and
Thompson's A-2 all work well.
The enamels are available in
seven opaque colors, but they can be mixed like oil or acrylic paints.
(There is a special toning white to use for mixing only; the regular
white doesn't mix as well.) They can be applied in a variety
of ways, including painting, airbrushing, brayering, screen
printing, rubber stamp, and more. They're also compatible with
almost any stained glass or float glass, and can be used on ceramics
or steel as well as glass.
One advantage of Paradise Paints is that
they can be fired to a range of
temperatures. They are matte at 1150F/620C and full gloss by 1400F/760C.
When firing, vent the kiln until the temperature reaches 500F/260C.
This allows the binder to burn off. If you fire too quickly
without burning off the binder, the red will turn brown and the
enamels can bubble (especially if stacking glass for fusing).
Fired properly, the colors are very intense. They're also
permanent and able to withstand second and third firings if
necessary.
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Copyright 2005 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
Paradise Paints must be
purchased direct from the manufacturer.
Click here
for more information.
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