How to use Enamel Paints

HOW TO USE GLASS ENAMEL PAINTS

GoFusing.com offers Fired Glass Enamel Paints (opaque) in 30 vibrant Colors! (28 are lead-free/food-safe. 2 colors, red and orange, do have a health warning but when covered with glass and fired will be food-safe).

In addition, Enamel Sparkle Paints, in Gold, White, Silver and Copper are available!

The fused glass paints are a powder formula:

• Mix the Powder with the clear Glass Paint Medium to create a opaque, glossy finish. When the colors are thinned they can be brushed, sponged, sprayed or applied with a pen.
• Apply dry by sifting over the glass for different techniques.
• Mix the fused glass Enamel Sparkle Paints with any color or sprinkle on top to create a more spectacular look before firing your glass.
• Glass paints can be used on COE 90, COE 96 or float (window) glass.
• Glass paints can be used as an over glaze on glazed ceramic pieces.
• Use the fused glass Black Outline or White Outline to create different looks.

Firing glass enamel paints: Fire to a full fuse of at least 1450º F or cone 015-016 in a ceramic or a glass kiln. Fusing glass enamel paints will hold their color to a much higher temperature when used on ceramic or porcelain bisque.

Their light weight makes them light to handle, store and reduces your shipping cost!

Glass Colors can be used on Float Glass or 90 and 96 COE.

Instructions for using Glass Colors:

1. Cleaning Glass: Clean both sides of the glass to remove all oils and dirt then rinse well. Dry the glass with a lint free cloth or paper towel. After cleaning handle glass by the edges only to insure the oil from your hands or your fingerprints will not show after firing your glass.
Note: If using Float Glass, you will need to determine the correct side of the glass before applying the paint. Watching how the water moves across the glass. You will see that one side will sheet off and the other tends to bead up and fall off. You want to paint on the side that sheets off.

2. Using a palette knife place a small amount of color on tile or in paint well.

3A. Mixing Colors: Add a few drops of Glass Paint Medium. Mix with either palette knife or brush, continue to add a drop or two and mix until you have the thickness of cream. The mixed colors should be thin enough to flatten out when applied to the glass. If the color is too thick and your brush marks don’t smooth out, add a drop of water to thin. If the colors are too thin they will tend to run when you are applying them to the glass. You can add a bit more powder to thicken. Remember to mix only what you will use at that time and discard any that is left.

3B. Using Dry Paints: Using a paint sifter you can apply directly to the glass or apply Glass Paint Medium with a brush to the desired areas of the glass and then sift the paint to the glass, then turn upside down and tap the back side of the glass to remove any excess.

4. Intermixing Colors: Fired Glass Enamel Paints, all colors can be intermixed to achieve additional shades of colors but if using either of the two red colors with health warning make sure not use them for food or fire them to the glass and then fuse a clear glass over them in a second firing so you can use them for food.

Tracing a Pattern using Outline Black or White: Any line art can be used as a pattern, wall paper, fabric, even a page from a coloring book.

• Place the glass on the pattern and using either the Black Outline or White Outline in a squeeze bottle or a fine tip brush trace the pattern.

Notes:

• Practice outlining on a scrap piece of glass first until you are getting the desired results.
• Keep tips clean from drips or build-up of color by wiping it off on a damp sponge or paper towel.
• When the bottle is not in use you can leave it tip down in a damp sponge for a short amount of time, or clean tip with plunger and place cap on bottle to keep it from drying out. You can also add your signature with the outline color.
• Applying Color: Using a soft liner brush, load brush fully and drip, puddle, etc. in the center of the outlined area and push the color to the outline using the tip of the brush. Try not to go over your outlining. You can raise the glass up and look at it to see if you have an even coverage and touching the outline. You can also use a light table/board to work on which will show you if the colors are solid and filled in and touching your outline.