slumping molds

[islandstudios]

Is it possible to use thinfire shelf paper on a mold instead of kiln wash?

[marV]

I was told that it was possible after coating drape mold with kiln wash to put a piece of thinfire paper under a circular piece of glass that is to be draped over the mold. This is supposed to ensure that the glass drapes without sticking. Has anyone done this or heard of doing it?

[tracy]

marV – that is exactly how I set up a drape in my kiln.  My kiln is not very deep, so I’m not sure how the process works on taller drapes.

[Stephen Richard]

It is important to put a separator on the mould -normally kiln wash – before using it.  Once coated, ity will not need to be re-coated unless the surface is damaged, scratched, etc for a very long time.  If the kiln wash seems to be rough you can smooth it in various ways as noted in this tip:

http://glasstips.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/applying-kiln-wash.html

The advantage of kiln wash is that it does not cost much and lasts a long time.  The thinfire or similar is a one-time-use product.

The binder in the thnifire burns away during the heat up and allows the now unbound separator to drift down to the mould before the glass begins to conform to the mould.  In that way it is very similar to a fine dusting of kiln wash powder over the mould surface before firing.

In short, I don’t see the point of using Thinfire or similar during most slumps (I can see that there are rare occasions where this method would be advisable).  You have to kiln wash the mould anyway.  KIln wash is cheap and long lasting.

Stephen Richard

blogs at: http://www.verrier-glass.blogspot.com/ and  http://www.glasstips.blogspot.com/

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