So what exactly is a non-fired finish? A product that is applied to bisque, wood, fabric, paper, plaster and metal for decorative purposes. These products are never fired in a kiln.
There are quite a few options for creating a decorative piece without a kiln. Armadillo Clay offers a wide variety of bisque and acryllic finishes for all types of projects. Our bisque page offers images and pricing.
Also,
Shake plastic squeeze bottles well to thoroughly mix the contents.
Sand ware using a medium grit pad to insure a smooth surface to receive the color.
Before application, wipe down the ware using a damp sponge. Do not over wet the piece with water.
Apply to properly fired shelf cone 04 bisque.
Use a synthetic brush for basic application, either Base Coat brush or a soft hair brush is ideal.
Apply two thin coats for best results.
Allow to dry thoroughly.
Clean brushes in warm water and AC-525 Brush Cleaner.
Acrylics are self-sealing, however, a sealer is recommended for easier cleaning.
The better you treat your brushes, the better they will treat your acryllics !
Clean and well maintained brushes will give you the best results. Dried product stuck under and around the ferrule (the point where the hairs are connected to the handle) may come off the next time you use the brush causing small discolored spots to appear on the surface of your piece. Likewise, keep an eye on the condition of the ferrule itself. Brush ferrules are typically plated in nickel and if the nickel flakes off into the paint it can cause greenish spots to form.
MAYCO
Image:
SOFTEES ACRYLLIC STAINS: Mayco’s Softees can be used on ceramic bisque, wood, fabric, plaster, paper, and metal. They can also be applied to specially prepared glazed ware that has first been treated with Porcelain Mist Spray Sealer. All formulas are non-toxic.
For best results apply Softees® with a synthetic brush. A non-fired base coat brush or soft hair brush are ideal for this application as either will give a smooth finish that is free of brush marks. Softees can be applied with a sponge or brush.
It is better to apply two thin coats rather than one heavy coat to avoid ridges, brush marks and rough textures. A thin coat does not mean that you thin the color to apply it to the ware, it simply means to use less color in the brush. This allows you to brush out the color and obtain a perfectly smooth and solid color before it dries.
Softees Acrylic Stains do not require a sealer, as they are self-sealing. Whether you seal or not depends on the technique and the materials used on the piece. Sealing does make the ware more soil resistant, therefore, easier to clean. Sealers, either brush-on or spray types are available. When antiquing, a sealer will make the Translucent Stain easier to wipe back and remove.
MAGIC METALLICS: Magic Metallics are not a faux finish but a real metal coating. These coatings contain real ground metal particles that adhere to the surface and cause the finished piece to look as though it’s actually made of metal. Magic Metallics may be applied to almost any paintable surface. They work like magic to create patina and real rust finishes. The Metallic Finishes are beautiful used alone but may be further enhanced by the addition of one of the Patinas or the Rapid Rust Finish.
Apply a basecoat of the metallic finish. Allow to dry. Apply a second coat. If your desire a patina or rust (steel only) finish apply the Patina solution while the second coat is still wet and slightly tacky.
Apply your choice of Patina antiquing solution to basecoated piece with a brush, sponge or spritzer bottle. As the solution dries, the Patina will develop.
Once the desired effect is achieved, apply neutralizer to stop the process. You may also dry the piece with a hair dryer. Seal with Matte Sealer.
SEALERS: Brush-on sealers are used over dry acrylic stains to provide a protective coating. Both sealers are water-based and dry clear. They are durable and are water-resistant when dry. Aerosol spray sealers provide finishes that range from the dullest matte to the highest gloss finish. Spray sealers provide quick drying, smooth, durable, hard coatings for all acrylic Stains. The matte and gloss spray sealers give the colors brightness, enhancing the colors and providing varying degrees of glossiness. Porcelain Mist spray produces the look, touch and feel of elegant porcelain pieces.
Mending and Sculpting Paste is a water based, non-toxic texturing medium. It can be used with virtually any water based acrylic color.
Weathered Krackle is used to create a distressed wood look using acrylic stains. Any type of water base Softees Acrylic Stain, Softees Pearls or Dazzling Metallic can be used as the base coat, but the top coat must be an opaque acrylic.
Non-Fired Snow is a water based acrylic material that creates snow effects. Its tough durable properties allow it to be applied to a fired glaze surface to create snow on pieces. It can be applied to bisque directly for an all over background texture.
Brush cleaner is designed for use with all water-based products. It can be used with oil base translucents to clean them as well. Do not use it to clean the fired metallics. The Brush Cleaner is mild to the hands and very effective in ridding brushes of paint particles left in the bristles. If a dried acrylic brush is left to soak in the cleaner, it will dissolve the dried material after a few days. It also conditions the hairs as it cleans.
Solvent Cleaner is a mineral spirit based product used to remove excess oil based translucent stains. This product will take off the color quickly and should be used sparingly. It can also be used to remove dried Wax Resist from a brush. You can also use the Solvent Cleaner to clean brushes used to apply Repellent.
OPAQUE ACRYLLICS: Opaques are wonderful for base coats, brushwork, stenciling, sponging, drybrushing and tole and decorative painting. Bisq-Stain Opaque Acrylics work great for air brushing. Can be mixed to create new color tones, tints and shades. Water-based for easy cleanup.
