Black Lacquer R25 - While Supplies Last

Safety 

Many materials used by potters in glazes and clay are potentially hazardous substances. We at Bailey feel you should take precautions to minimize exposure.

1. Keep dry materials covered, handle carefully and avoid spillage.
2. Wear a NIOSH approved respirator when handling dry materials.
3. Wear rubber gloves when glazing or applying oxides and stains.
4. Keep your workspace clean and free from dust.
5. Use a wet mop or toxic dust vacuum for cleaning only- never sweep.
6. Do not eat or smoke in your workspace.
7. Wash your work clothes separately from other clothing.

Tips -

Important Information: Laguna's dry Raku glazes are formulated for spraying or dipping over bisque. To adapt these glazes for brushing, add a brushing medium, which is listed under ‘Glaze Additives’.

Approximately 8 to 11 ounces of water per pound of dry glaze will be needed, but the amount needed varies per glaze. Establishing the correct water to dry material ratio in Raku glazes can be challenging, but by utilizing a process called slaking, the challenge can be met. Slaking simply means mixing the glaze’s dry materials in a bucket with enough water to allow all the dry particles to achieve maximum absorption.

Start with 8 Oz of water per lb of dry glaze in a clean bucket. Add the dry glaze and let sit (slake) for approximately 24 hours—long enough that the glaze settles to the bottom of the bucket and the “unabsorbed water” on top is clear, not cloudy. At this point, remove most of the clear water leaving 1/4" to 1/2" on top of the glaze. Mix thoroughly and allow glaze to sit for another 24 hours.

After the second 24 hour settling period, mix the glaze thoroughly to a consistency a little thicker than your final use consistency. To achieve this desired consistency, you may need to add a small amount of water but always stir the mix thoroughly prior to adding any water. Many of these Raku glazes contain Gerstley Borate which has thixotropic
characteristics. Thixotropy is "the property exhibited by certain gels of becoming liquid when stirred or shaken" (Webster). This makes it important to always stir Raku glazes thoroughly before considering thinning with water.

Strain the mix through a 30 to 40 mesh sieve into another bucket, then strain again back into the original bucket. You should be able to feel the glaze thin out as you mix it because of the thixotropic characteristics of the gerstley borate included in most Raku glazes. It is not unusual for a Raku glaze to become slightly lumpy even after being
strained and mixed. Some ceramists prefer that their Raku glazes be thicker than other types of glazes. We recommend running several tests to determine your individual consistency preference.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals, including crystalline silica, which is known to the State of CA. to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more info go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.