The Ceramic Centre: Rules and Recommendations for Glazing.

1. Please clean and dry your bisque ware thoroughly before glazing. Wipe with a barely damp cloth. If there is dust or oil from handling, it will prevent the glaze from coating and bonding evenly. No moisture can be left in your bisque-ware before glazing, use the drying rack if you are not sure that it is bone dry. 
2. Please mix each glaze thoroughly with a clean brush so that all particles are suspended (consider sieving for best results). Do not add water or any other product to the glaze bucket. If you believe the glaze is too thick please take it to the Glaze Lab and follow the Specific Gravity testing and adjustment process.
3. To create brushing glazes, remove a small amount and add Pehatine according to the instructions. The leftovers can be returned to the bucket.
4. Use the finger drip test to get familiar with the coating time needed per glaze….dip your index finger into the glaze up to the third (top) knuckle. Pull it out and count the drips. Use the number of drips as a rough indication of the number of seconds needed for dipping. Most glazes need around 3 seconds. Quick thin layers work better than long thick layers in most cases. Our test tiles show a single dip of 3 seconds, a second dip of 3 seconds and a third dip of 2 seconds.
5. Do not experiment without testing especially if you are glazing the exterior. We have tested single studio glazes on the most popular clays. If you are using clays that have not been tested please make your own test tiles. You are responsible for making test tiles of clay and glaze combos that are non standard as well as all store bought clays and glazes brought into the studio.
6. Do not modify any glazes with minerals, pigments, oxides or other additives without direct approval by Rhonda. These must be tested.
7. We do not allow any slips, engobes, washes or glazes with Chrome Oxide. No exceptions. If you do not know what is in an outside glaze do not buy it or use it.
8. Always dip from light colours to dark colours.  Contamination may occur if you dip dark colours into the light colours. Make sure each layer is completely dry before dipping. To apply a light colour over a dark colour use another glazing method e.g. spraying, slip trailing or brushing.
9. Let each glaze layer dry thoroughly especially on the outside or vertical sections this is key to successful glaze combining. Use the drying rack or hair-dryer on low setting for best results.
10. If you have used more than 1 colour on the exterior you must have a cookie of the same diameter as the largest part of your vessel.
11. The bottom edge of all pieces must have a clear, clean unglazed border of 0,8 cm minimum.
12. Please put a note on your work if it is being refired as this will need special attention and placement.
13. All damage to the kiln shelves or kiln is the responsibility of the person whose work caused it.

We urge you to understand glazing before experimentation