Enameling on Copper

Question
I am new to enameling. I have read up gotten a couple of dvd’s and looking to do some work mostly on copper as my free time allows. I have been buying all my supplies for when that time comes. I am confused though on all the different clear enamels and when to use what. There soft fusing, hard fusing, golden clear and so on. I do a bit of etching and was going to do some wet packing and thought about using the clear on the copper to help avoid the copper aging, some like it some others like it bright. I thought the enamel would be a much better finish then the lacquers you can dip your copper in. Any explanation on the different clears and their uses would be cool.

Thanks Tom

Tom,

Here is a simple guide from Thompson’s Enamel, Medium Temperature – Medium Expansion  this is their # 2030 Enamels for copper.

So medium is what you would order. I suggest you get a catalog from Thompson’s Enamel 859-291-3800. Check out this page, http://www.thompsonenamel.com/products/colorchart/mtmeo.htm These are lead free enamels. And you can use any of these colors over the 2030 which is called flux.

Or try Enamel Work Supply Co. Coral-206-525-9271 http://www.enamelworksupply.com/ you can see on the left side of her page is the color charts for what you need but these are leaded Ninomiya Enamels. There are other companies but lets keep it simple. You would need #1 flux on your copper then you can add any of these colors over your flux.

Everyone has their opinion on the leaded verses the unleaded. I started with the leaded and stayed there. I recommend you start with one and get to know the colors by making color plates. These are small 1/2″ square plates of copper you can use for each color or a larger plate with several colors of the same family. You will need to clean the copper with comet and it will be nice and shiny. There are other products but like I said keep it simple. These enamels need to be washed before using, this mean to place some in a small container add some distilled water and pour out the cloudy water, once is enough when working with copper as you want the small grains. Copper oxides quickly, the small grain melt quicker and cut down on the oxidation.
If you put enamel on both sides at the same time it is best. Do this by first adding a few drops of Klyre Fire to the enamel you will use on the back only, apply this enamel to the copper back and let it dry enough to turn over and apply the front flux and fire. I use a brush to apply the enamel, some use a tiny spatula. Fire at 1450 till fused. This will give you a beautiful golden canvas to work with. Now you apply small dots of the colors you want to use in your compositions and fire. So you have built a color plate on copper.

I would not worry about preserving the copper for future use. As the comet will clean it right up and be ready to use, when you have time to play!

So the only clear you want is flux for copper.

Thompson’s Flux for copper 2030

Ninomiya’s Flux for copper L11

Bovano’s Flux for copper #1

Then play with the transparent colors. If you call Coral and tell her you want several blues for copper and several greens etc. she will set you up. Of course tell her you are working with copper! And don’t forget the flux.

Happy Enameling! And thanks for the visit. Patsy