How to Glaze Clay

Glazes give clay color and a glossy look.

Glazing is a necessary part of the pottery-making process for utilitarian products, giving pieces their shine and making them impermeable. Glazes also play a decorative role in giving the ceramic pieces color. Glazing is performed after the first kiln firing, which is also known as bisque firing and transforms the clay into a sturdy material. However, the clay is typically porous at this stage, so glazes are needed to cover the pores, giving the material its glasslike finish.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Sponge
• Buckets or plastic containers
• Glazes
• Masking tape or paraffin wax
• Dipping tongs (optional)
• Newspapers
• Electric kiln

Instructions

1. Remove the pottery piece from the kiln a few hours after the initial firing to ensure the piece is not hot.

2. Sand the pot with a fine-grit sandpaper to remove any imperfections and smooth the surface, which will allow the glaze to adhere better to the clay. Wash the piece with a moist sponge. Wait until the piece is completely dry.

3. Apply masking tape on the bottom of the pottery piece to prevent the bottom from being glazed. Alternatively, place the bottom of the pot in paraffin wax so that the glaze won't stick.

4. Stir the glaze in a large bucket to ensure the consistency of the substance is homogeneous.

5. Dip the pot into the glaze using your hands or dipping tongs, making sure all areas of the piece are covered in glaze.

6. Remove the pot from the glaze container but keep the piece over the container, allowing the excess glaze to drip. Place the pot on a piece of newspaper and allow to dry.

7. Remove the masking tape or wax from the bottom of the ceramic piece and insert the piece in the kiln. The clay is fired to higher temperatures than the initial firing to allow the glaze to mature. The material used (i.e., porcelain, earthenware) dictates the temperatures for the second firing.

Tips & Warnings

• Dip your pot in several glazes to obtain more interesting effects. Cover a single area in two or several glazes or dip one area in a color and the rest of the pot in a different glaze.

• To skip the glazing process and the second firing, try burnishing your pottery or use engobes on your finished pieces.

• Different types of glazes require firing to different temperatures or cones, so check the labels of the glazes you use prior to mixing two or several glazes.

• Don't apply glaze on the bottom of the pot and don't place the pot close to the walls of the kiln; otherwise the glazes will stick to the shelves or the walls of the kiln and are extremely difficult to remove.

References

• How to Make Pottery: Glazing and Firing Pottery

Resources

• Pottery by Design: Burnishing