Efcolour enamel

[Summer]

Hi everyone, long time since i posted, almost feel like a newby :-)
Hope everyone is keeping well and busy.
I really could do with a bit of advice,
I want to try my hand at enameling, I don't have a kiln and can't see my ever being able to buy one in the very near future, looked at the epoxy and don't like the sound of that, sensitive nostrils so was looking at the Efcolour enamels, can't find for the life of me what they are, eg epoxy, resin, glass or what, have even searched the internet.

I have added the starter pack to my basket just in case they are what i need, but also looking for the right glue or whatever it is that will allow my to enamel on non flat surfaces.

And last but not least, have any of you tried it ??

Thanks
Jax :-)

[Wallace]

Hi Jax

essentially they are plastics. Coating the metal, warm the metal, the coating melts and stays on - unless you sand it. There is still a risk when using, due to the heat and plastic fumes. You don't need the 'kiln'. I used an old upturned bread tin, an old aluminium tray fashioned into a little trivet that was heated with three candles. That did the job brilliantly.You can reheat it a few times. It is nice, but ice resin 'enamels' are much better. Great gadget and great with kids on copper. Although I did use it very successfully for a specific customer request on a liverbird pendant.

[enigma]

Did you watch the video? I think thats the one our lovely Lydia did if I remember correctly

[Summer]

Hi Wallace, thank you so much for replying it was doing my head in trying to find out so glad to know they are a plastic coating, they won't be what i'm after, :-)

Hi Enigma, yes i did thank you, she was very easy to understand :-)

Back to the drawing board for me :-)
Thanks again :-)
Jax

[medusa]

If you wanted to use real enamels (sorry, I'm a snob and to me enamel is ground glass and not plastic or resin or whatever) could you torch fire them? I've never done it (seems tricky!), but I know a lot of people do so.

[Wallace]

If you wanted to use real enamels (sorry, I'm a snob and to me enamel is ground glass and not plastic or resin or whatever) could you torch fire them? I've never done it (seems tricky!), but I know a lot of people do so.

totally agree, enamels are traditionally glass.

plastics and resins are not 'enamels' imho they should be called coatings!

they are still fun to work with though - just need a better point of reference for them