Enamelling on Sheet
Steel
- Use mild steel, preferably ‘Enamelling Quality’.
20 gauge (0.9mm) is suitable.
- Degrease by annealing at 700-750ºC
for 3-4 minutes.
- Pickle for approximately 20 minutes in 10% Hydrochloric Acid
until the surface is a clean light grey colour, slightly etched.
- Wash
thoroughly in hot water then in a 1% solution of Sodium Carbonate
to neutralise any acid remaining on or in the surface.
- Wash thoroughly
in hot water and dry.
- Avoid handling except by the edges, or grease
from the fingers may cause faults.
GROUND COAT
Empty the enamel from the tin into a bowl and stir thoroughly.
Apply a thin even coat of Ground Coat Enamel, by dipping the plate
into the liquid enamel, rubbing it into the surface, and standing
the plate on its corner to allow the enamel to drain. if necessary
the enamel may be thinned by the addition of a little water. Dry
on points to avoid marking the back, and fire in a kiln for 3-4
minutes at 840-850ºC, when it should be a dark grey, almost
black colour. It is important that the Ground Coat is fired sufficiently
to give good adhesion. If a blow with a hammer causes the enamel
to chip showing clean shiny metal the ground coat is underfired.
WHITE
ENAMEL
Apply a thin even coat in the same way, on the fired
ground coat enamel, but pour the liquid white enamel on to one
side of the plate only. The enamel is thick enough when the ground
coat can just be seen through the wet white enamel. Dry and fire
for 3-4 minutes at 800-820ºC. The same Jewellery Enamels that
are used on copper can then be applied on the fired white enamel,
or coloured sheet steel enamels used. Fire at 800-820ºC. |
