Mixing Guide

Armadillo Cone 5/6 Dry Glazes

Safety Warning

Any time you are working with glaze and clay materials in their dry form, you should be wearing an N95-or-better rated respirator! Clay and glaze materials contain micro silica particles that damage your lungs when inhaled. Please take precautions and preserve your health.

Mixing Dry Glazes

Mixing up dipping glazes is fairly simple, however it is important to follow each step to ensure the best possible finished product.

Put on your respirator!
Empty your package of dry glaze mix into a clean storage container that has a tight-fitting lid. Since materials tend to settle out over time, it is recommended to mix the entire package at once. Suspension: We recommend adding 2% bentonite (by dry weight) or another suspension agent of your choice to Armadillo Dry Glazes, as they have a tendency to settle out. (The Mayco dry glazes already have this material added.)
Add 1 pint of filtered water per pound of dry mix. Put the lid on to minimize outside contamination.
Allow the glaze to slake (soak) overnight, giving the water time to penetrate the entire mixture.
Using a glaze paddle or Jiffy Mixer, mix the glaze thoroughly (5-10 minutes).
Pass the mixture through an 80-mesh sieve into another clean container. Use a soft rib or your fingers to work the glaze through the screen and break up any clumped particles. Scrape out as much of the residue as possible from your initial container and pass it through the sieve into the new container. It is important to preserve as much material as possible.
If the glaze feels too thick for proper dipping consistency, add more water and mix thoroughly.
After rinsing out your initial container and sieve, pass the glaze back through the 80-mesh sieve and into the container you wish to store the glaze in long-term. Repeat the details from step 6.
Store your glaze with the lid securely fastened. Stir thoroughly before using. If the glaze sits for more than a month, you may need to repeat steps 6-8.