DIY Network

Enameling Metal Learn how to enamel the metal pet name plate. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-233

Guest Steven James joins host Jennifer Perkins and demonstrates how to enamel the metal for a pet name plate.

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	Guest Steven James continues the pet name plate project by wet enameling the metal tag — seen here in its completion.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Now you can utilize your enameling skills to enhance any number of metal items, such as a lamp pull (seen here), ...
	bookmarks, ...
	light switches ...
	and even puzzle pieces!

Enameling Metal

Project designed by Steven James.

Materials:

Thompson Enamel Opaque 80 Mesh Enamels: Darkest Blue, Orient Red, Pea Green, Flame Red, and White
enamel spatula
distilled water
paint trays
paper towels
face mask
000 sable brush
old magazines
Penny Brite Copper Cleaner
fine-grit diamond files
diamond cloth or diamond stick in various grits
Paragon programmable kiln with firing tools
kiln fork
trivet, size dependent upon size of project
stainless steel firing plate
Sparex fire scale remover
old toothbrush
sponge or paper towels for cleaning
latex gloves

Note: The art of enameling is basically fusing glass to metal.

Wet Inlaying the Enamel

1. Prepare the enamels for wet inlaying.

   Note: This project uses 80-mesh leaded, medium fusing enamels and the technical term for the project technique is Champleve, a combination of French words which means "raised fields."

2. With a small enamel spatula, place a small amount of the enamel in a paint tray and using an eye dropper, add just enough distilled water to cover the dry enamel.

3. Allow the water to soak into the enamel — do not stir, this creates air bubbles which can become trapped in a fused enamel.

4. Use a small enameling spatula or a fine detail paint brush to add the first color into the recessed area of the project. Work with small amounts of enamel (figure A).

5. If the enamel contains too much moisture, it will spread out, creating bare spots on the surface, use a small tissue to "wick" the excess moisture from the enamel (figure B).

6. To keep the surface level, gently tap the enamel with the other end of the tool — it can also be level project after it has been fired with grinding/polishing tools.

7. Wet enamels must dry completely before they are placed in the kiln. Trapped moisture can lead to air bubbles in the enamel surface. The project can sit overnight and the water will evaporate or carefully set it on the kiln to speed up the drying process.

8. Carefully place the copper onto the trivet, use a small pair of tweezers if necessary to lift up the copper without disturbing the enamel.

9. Once on the trivet, place the trivet on the firing rack/plate (figure C) and use the kiln fork to pick up the plate.

10. Quickly open the kiln door, remembering the longer it's open the more heat is lost.

11. Place the plate inside the kiln and close the door. Allow to rest for three to five minutes, periodically checking the progress of the piece.

12. If the first layer of enamel is too thin, repeat the application process, until the surface is even throughout the project.

13. If necessary, re-fire the project. If the project is re-fired the fire scale has to be removed every time it comes out of the kiln. The fire scale can jump from the surface of the project and become permanently embedded in the enamel.

14. Allow the project to completely cool before cleaning the fire scale from the front of the design. With rubber gloves, carefully clean the front of the project with the Sparex solution paper towel, a sponge or an old toothbrush.

15. Once the project has been removed from the kiln and cooled, the surface of the enamel needs to be evened out with a set of diamond coated paper — do so under running water or in a shallow container of water.

16. To hand polish the surface, start with a diamond coated stick or cloth that is 320-grit.

17. Once the surface is smooth, clean with a glass brush and continue to file with the next size up, remember the higher the grit number, the finer the filing and the smoother the surface.

18. Grind and smoothing out the surface of the project will produce a matte finish on a project, to obtain a glossy finish the piece needs to be re-fired in the kiln. Follow the same steps for firing as before, but prior to firing, thoroughly clean the surface with a glass brush under running water.

19. Fire the project once more to produce a glossy finish. Allow the project to cool.

20. Pickle the project in Sparex for about 10 minutes to assist in removing the fire scale. Use an old toothbrush, sponge or paper towel to help remove the fire scale as well.

21. Continue to clean the exposed copper with Penny Brite Copper Cleaner.

22. Use a permanent paint pen to write your pet's name on the name plate (figure D) and allow the paint to dry.

23. Use size appropriate screws, depending on the hole size to attached the nameplate to the pet's house or on the wall above the pet.

RESOURCES :

Enameling Supplies and Tools
Schlaifer's Enameling Supplies
Website: www.enameling.com

Paragon SC-2 Programmable Kiln
Clay King
Website: www.clay-king.com

Etchant Solution (Ferric Chloride)
Radio Shack stores
Website: www.radioshack.com

GUESTS :

Steven James
Phone: 415-992-1479
E-mail: stevenjames@macaroniandglitter.com
Website: www.macaroniandglitter.com