How to Release Glass From a Mold
Molding glass is an excellent way to add depth to your glass work projects. Occasionally, though, glass may become stuck in your glass mold. The glass mold is usually far more valuable than the glassware itself, but you will want to do all you can to minimize the damage to the mold and rescue the glass. While it is not always possible to salvage the glass after it is stuck in a mold, there are a few techniques to try.
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Instructions
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Removal
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Place the mold with stuck glassware upside down on a thin coating of fire paper or a clean and treated kiln-washed shelf. Fire the kiln slowly up to 1,200 F.
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Once the kiln reaches 1,200 F, you can open it for very short intervals without causing the glass to crack from exposure to cool air. Put on the gloves. Using the metal tongues, pull the glass. Rock the glass back and forth to loosen it from the mold. This may take several tries. If the temperature drops to around 1,000 F, close the kiln and allow it to fire back up to 1,200 F. Always keep the temperature above 1,000 F to prevent cracking.
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Once the mold and the glass separate, close the kiln and allow the kiln to cool back down to room temperature before removing the materials.
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Tips & Warnings
To prevent sticking, always use a liberal amount of kiln wash in the mold before firing.
Always wear protective gloves when dealing with hot materials.
Do not allow the temperature to sink below 1,000 F while attempting to separate the glass from the mold.
Do not allow the temperature to rise above 1,300 F during the separation process.
References
- Photo Credit glass rods in beaker image by Oleg Mitiukhin from Fotolia.com
