Enameling on Copper
Copper is one of the most popular metals to enamel on. Whether using transparent, opaque or opal enamels you need a flux, as you do in most enameling. There are some colors of enamel you will find, you can get by with out flux but you will have to run a teat to find out.
When applying your flux coat on copper use very fine ground enamels, 150 mesh, this will ensure quick fusing of the enamel coverage and eliminate oxidation. =little brown spots on the metal.
Copper is the one metal that can be fired higher also. I fire my enamel on gold or fine silver at 1425 degrees where as copper is better suited at 1500 and even 1525 degrees.
One complaint of copper is the oxidation. But some artist use this to their advantage of design. Leaving the oxidation and enameling over it. You get a rough look and can get some very beautiful colors in the copper, which can add to the enamels.
It is best when making jewelry with copper and enamel, to apply enamel to both sides of the metal and fire at once. You can do this by adding Klyre-Fire to the enamel on the back. This is called the counter enamel. A few drops of Klyre-Fire makes the enamel stick to the back so you can flip it over and apply enamel to the front and have one firing.
Klyre-Fire can be used in the front enamel but just a little as it can make them cloudy!
HI Patsy, Would Thompsons 80 mesh be fine enough to put a base on copper to eliminate the oxidation? Should it be finer? What size mesh? Also, I am new to the whole world of color and would like to know how to get transperants totally clear without burning the edges? I am firing at 1450 for about 2 minutes. Thanks so much. Monika