TROUBLESHOOTING
PC- 10 June Bug
June Bug is a specialty glaze that can give dramatic metallic crystalline results when used correctly. Below find suggestions for the best results.
HOW IT WORKS:
June Bug is a glossy, dark green metallic glaze that develops small triangular iridescent crystals, like the wings of a beetle. This opaque glaze does not break over texture. For best results apply three even brush coats.
LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG.
STILL NOT GETTING ACCURATE RESULTS? LET'S TALK BISQUE
#1 APPLICATION
Thickness of application can affect the appearance of the metallic glaze. If the glaze is translucent or dark with no crystal growth it may be too thin.
#2 BISQUE TEMPERATURE
The temperature to which your ware was bisqued can have an affect on the final piece. We recommend a bisque between cone 08 and cone 03, though a bisque as low as cone 010 will work.
LETS TALK CLAY BODIES
#3 CLAY BODY
The metallics do best on a clay body that isn’t fully vitrified in the glaze firing. Clay body color doesn’t seem to make a difference.
LETS EVALUATE FIRING TEMPS
#4 FIRING TEMPERATURE
The metallics do best at cone 6 but should be lovely even at cone 5.
STILL NOT RIGHT? TRY A DIFFERENT FIRING SCHEDULE.
Cone 5
Cone 6
#5 FIRING SCHEDULE
Most of our firings are done on a medium speed with no hold and no slow cooling schedule. We tested two alternate firings and found they reduced blistering in problem combinations.
Alternate Firing 1: long hold
Using the regular cone fire program (medium speed) we programmed a cone 5 firing with a 20-minute hold, giving a cone 6 (cone 6 was bent to 3 o'clock).
Alternate Firing 2: slow ramp/hold with drop hold
Popularized by Camille Hoffman, this program was created by Skutt to reduce pinholing and blisters.
