Kiln Wash Metal Molds

How do you kiln wash metal molds? Putting kiln wash on stainless steel mold for glass fusing seems to be a problem, since the kiln wash just slides right off of the mold when you are applying the substance.

First, clean your mold thoroughly, using your favorite cleaner or soap and water. Rinse well with water. Now, use some rubbing alcohol to wipe the surface. Heat your kiln to about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit for about a half an hour. Cool the mold to about 220 degrees Fahrenheit and brush on the kiln wash in thin even coats. Allow the coating to dry completely between applications. Finishing oils that might still be on the mold even after cleaning thoroughly will be eliminated in the heating process. This process is especially important for the first firing of a metal mold.

When coating a metal mold, try mixing about 20% rubbing alcohol into your kiln wash mixture. So that would be 80% water to 20% rubbing alcohol with your dry kiln wash powder. Mixing rubbing alcohol into your mixture will allow it to evaporate quickly so you don’t have to wait as long for it to dry. Spray or brush on the application.

Once the wash has been applied, there is no need to reapply wash unless you have any scrapes in the wash. These can be touched up easily with another few applications of wash.

In the future to apply kiln wash to your metal molds, try heating your piece to about 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven, you should be able to brush on the kiln wash while the piece is still hot. Since it is already hot, the water in the kiln wash will evaporate quickly, leaving just the powdery substance behind.

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