Lisa, always use a kiln shelf. I place one on very short shelf posts (anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2|) and just remove the shelf when it needs to be refreshed with kiln wash. Never fire directly in your kiln floor. Shelves are much cheaper to replace when you have an accident......and you eventually will. Reminds me of an old saying I heard when I started working on my commercial pilots license. I was told there were two kinds of pilots who flew retractable gear planes, those who have landed with the gear up and those who will. About release agents. I use two kinds. I use Boron Nitrate when I don't have time to coat and fire Unique's Glass Separator (you must first fire the Glass Separator to 800 degrees before using) . The best thing about the Glass Separator is that it stays with you a long time. Each time, before firing, I dab a little of the powder (called Free) onto the coated mould and things go just fine. Hope this helps, if not ask!
@Capt Mike if You try it, please let me know the temp and time You do it. I'm aware each kiln is different and so are the glass in the bottles, but, having a base is helpful.
Hi Capt Mike Hope all’s well .. I have a question about them bottle molds . I sprayed primo primer on one of my molds and brushed bullseye kiln wash on another mold , ok well I haven’t used them yet bc I seen your video on using the BN is better for float glass . I have BN in the can . I haven’t tried it yet. I was told primo was better then bullseye for molds. I also brushed my clean bottles with super spray on one side so I think everything is ready to go if the kiln wash works with float glass. Fusing is so challenging and expensive hobby. I got too much invested in supplies I probably even didn’t need in the first place. I started with doing stained glass for years and now I’m loving fusing but not sure about prepping my molds I been wanting to use for over a year now lol Also do I need to lay mold on a kiln shelf or prop on kiln posts when firing ? I purchased all these molds and yet to use any of them lol I don’t want my glass to stick to the mold or inside my kiln floor . I have 4 to five coats on each mold. The Lady and the man in the woods molds I also have. I brushed bullseye kiln wash on her months ago before I purchased my sprayer , should I remove that and spray another type of kiln wash on her before I use it? It’s never been fired. Fusing is scary when trying to use a mold. I just don’t want to ruin my mold or kiln if possible. Thanks So much for all your great videos. I trust your opinion more then any other glass artist video. You explain the most important little things that we feel stupid to ask sometimes 😉💕✌🏻
Capt Mike aha! Maybe that's what most of them are. Probably more cost effective than sandblasting the glass or something similar. I have a few and was hoping to try something with them. Might still experiment with them.
OK thank you so much I don't have a saw so lol you have help me so much with the microwave kiln . thank you..
Lisa, always use a kiln shelf. I place one on very short shelf posts (anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2|) and just remove the shelf when it needs to be refreshed with kiln wash. Never fire directly in your kiln floor. Shelves are much cheaper to replace when you have an accident......and you eventually will. Reminds me of an old saying I heard when I started working on my commercial pilots license. I was told there were two kinds of pilots who flew retractable gear planes, those who have landed with the gear up and those who will. About release agents. I use two kinds. I use Boron Nitrate when I don't have time to coat and fire Unique's Glass Separator (you must first fire the Glass Separator to 800 degrees before using) . The best thing about the Glass Separator is that it stays with you a long time. Each time, before firing, I dab a little of the powder (called Free) onto the coated mould and things go just fine. Hope this helps, if not ask!
Have You ever tried fire polishing Your wine glasses made out of wine bottles? If so what temperature wiuld You do it at?
No, but that might be a great idea to get rid of the "frosted" look on the rim.
@Capt Mike if You try it, please let me know the temp and time You do it. I'm aware each kiln is different and so are the glass in the bottles, but, having a base is helpful.
Hi Capt Mike
Hope all’s well .. I have a question about them bottle molds . I sprayed primo primer on one of my molds and brushed bullseye kiln wash on another mold , ok well I haven’t used them yet bc I seen your video on using the BN is better for float glass . I have BN in the can . I haven’t tried it yet. I was told primo was better then bullseye for molds. I also brushed my clean bottles with super spray on one side so I think everything is ready to go if the kiln wash works with float glass. Fusing is so challenging and expensive hobby. I got too much invested in supplies I probably even didn’t need in the first place. I started with doing stained glass for years and now I’m loving fusing but not sure about prepping my molds I been wanting to use for over a year now lol
Also do I need to lay mold on a kiln shelf or prop on kiln posts when firing ? I purchased all these molds and yet to use any of them lol I don’t want my glass to stick to the mold or inside my kiln floor . I have 4 to five coats on each mold.
The Lady and the man in the woods molds I also have. I brushed bullseye kiln wash on her months ago before I purchased my sprayer , should I remove that and spray another type of kiln wash on her before I use it? It’s never been fired. Fusing is scary when trying to use a mold. I just don’t want to ruin my mold or kiln if possible.
Thanks So much for all your great videos. I trust your opinion more then any other glass artist video. You explain the most important little things that we feel stupid to ask sometimes 😉💕✌🏻
How do you cut the rings off the top to melt and make necklaces with it
I use a tile saw and go slowly.
Would frosted bottle glass turn shiny in the kiln or retain the frosted finish?
I don't know, but I will slump one and see how it comes out.
I just checked the only frosted bottle I have at the moment. The matte finish was sprayed on.
Capt Mike aha! Maybe that's what most of them are. Probably more cost effective than sandblasting the glass or something similar. I have a few and was hoping to try something with them. Might still experiment with them.