Fired Product Accessories

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Mayco produces many products that are used with other products to achieve different decorating effects. Listed below are accessory products and their uses.

This category of products is dealing with the fired portion of our line. Some of these products are used in both the fired and non-fired lines interchangeably.

AC-301 Repellent Sealer

Characteristics:
This product is a silicon based water sealer that is applied to Astro Gems and
polished or unglazed underglaze surfaces to protect them from being soiled. Also work very well for non-fired surfaces.

Application:
This product is applied to the ware using a soft brush. Apply 1 coat and let dry for 24 hours and then apply a second coat. This product makes porous surfaces water and soil resistant. It can also be used with polished underglaze piece to make cleaning easier. It is not a replacement for glaze on this surface.
Stain pieces that are exposed to outdoor element can be coated with Repellent for added protection. It can be applied to the inside of lawn ornaments to resist water penetration and allow more weather protection. Clean up is with AC-525 Brush Cleaner and warm water. Do not fire.

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AC-302 Wax Resist

Characteristics:
This wax emulsion is one of two resist products used in many fired color techniques. The wax emulsion repels color from the coated area and fires off. If colors adhere to the wax it must be removed prior to firing as it can stick to the ware. This is especially true with any glaze “beads” that may form on the wax. Any color left on the wax that is used on top of an unfired glaze will adhere to the underlying glaze during the firing.

Wax resist can be used on greenware or bisque, under, between or on top of any unfired color, to protect coated areas from color. It can be applied with a brush, sponge or spattered. Each method allows the artist to expand the options in the decorating process. Dramatic Batik effects can be achieved by layering the Wax Resist between coats of color or simply by using Wax Resist as an aid to keep color off an area while painting. A sea wool sponge offers the most varied and dramatic effect to veil the wax and color. Mayco recommends the brush or sponge be preconditioned with AC-525 Brush Cleaner to allow easier clean up. Condition the brush by saturating the hairs. Then remove any excess Brush Cleaner before using the Wax Resist. If Wax Resist should dry in the brush it may be removed using AC-520 Solvent.

Apply one generous coat of Wax Resist. Even a thin coat will repel color. Once an area is coated with Wax Resist a second coat will not adhere to the previous one; it will bead up on the first coat. Once a coat of Wax Resist is applied it can only be removed by firing.
When glaze or color is applied over Wax Resist with an underlying unfired glaze, the “beads” of color need to be removed prior to firing. These can be removed by pouncing a clean, damp sponge over the waxed areas. If several coats of color are being applied, it is easier to remove excess color after each coat rather than letting them dry and trying to remove them all after the final coat. A different effect will result when the beads are allowed to remain during the firing. This option can be used to advantage with some techniques.

During the firing process there is additional smoke that will be given off as the wax is burned off. Allow extra ventilation of the kiln during the early part of the firing to remove these fumes and gases. Remember that because the wax repels the color it can fall off the ware and could land on an adjacent piece. Allow extra room when loading the kiln in case this happens and to allow the carbons to burn off. This product has a tendency to chip when trying to sgraffito through it.

Wax Resist will only repel color during application. A glaze applied too heavily may run during the firing and Wax Resist will not keep it from moving onto an area.

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AC-303 Liquid Mask

Characteristics:
Liquid Mask is a rubbery emulsion that dries as a protective film when applied to greenware or bisque. It can also be used on top of fired or unfired glaze, over acrylic areas that have been sealed, and on fired metallics to prevent the area from being over-sprayed with a sealer. It is not recommended for use over One Strokes on greenware before they are fired. There is a tendency for the color to be lifted off with the Mask in this instance. The difference between this product and Wax Resist is how it is removed after use. Liquid Mask is peeled away when the project is finished and before the firing process. It does not burn away in the firing like Wax Resist. Liquids Mask can be used like Wax Resist for similar techniques. However, Mask is generally applied to areas that need to be blocked out in order for another color to be applied after the first.

Application:
The brush must be “conditioned” before using Liquid Mask. This is done by working a small amount of AC-525 Brush Cleaner throughout the bristles. The brush cleaner is not washed from the brush. This prevents the Liquid Mask from imbedding itself into the hairs of the brush, ruining the brush from any future use.

Be sure to peel Liquid Mask from the ware the same day it is applied. If left too long it is difficult to remove. If for some reason the mask cannot be removed from the piece within a day of the application, apply another coat of the mask and then remove.

Notes:
When color is applied and allowed to dry before the mask can be removed, the color has a tendency to chip when the mask is lifted from the ware. This can be solved in one of two ways. You can dampen the edge with water or reapply another coat of the underlying color. Be careful to watch where the mask may still be left underneath a color or where the Mask lifts the edge of the top color, but doesn’t completely come off of the piece. This may keep the color from adhering to the ware. Do not fire.

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AC-304 Media

Characteristics:
Media is a general conditioning and thinning agent used for all water-based products. Mixed or blended with any water-based product, the product’s formulation keeps the color from drying out too quickly. It is the preferred media to mix with One Strokes, rather than water. It will recondition a color that has dried out making it workable again. This can be important if the water in your area has chemicals or minerals that may contaminate a product. If your water has a high iron content, for example, it could discolor your red glazes.

Notes:
When mixing colors for brushing ease, Media thins the product while not diluting the strength of the color. Use Media when you want to condition One Strokes or Stroke and Coats’ for doing fine detail work. This makes the colors brushable and causes them to flow from the brush, concentrating the color and reducing the necessity of applying several coats to achieve the proper color deposit. Coloramics Media can be used instead of water in the brush for shading work with a Flat Shader The Media is the vehicle that allows the color to blend out of the brush. It can be used in the same manner with One Strokes or Softees Acrylic Stains when doing “Tole” work. It can be added to Softees Acrylic Stains for antiquing. Media maybe added to all Mayco product except the oil based products

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AC-305 Mender Adhesive

Characteristics:
Mender Adhesive is used in conjunction with AC-306 Clay Mender for mending greenware. This product will not weaken the greenware as water would if used in mending the ware. Mender Adhesive provides a better bond between the broken parts of the greenware.

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AC-306 Clay Mender

Characteristics:
Clay Mender is used with Mender Adhesive to stick wet or dry pieces of greenware together. It is more than just liquid clay. It has chemicals in it that makes it a stronger bond than the existing clay that it mends. It can be used on bisque to join two pieces together, but is primarily for greenware use.

Application:
• If the attachment is a handle or arm like piece, then scoring or marking the area
with a Wire Scratch Tool will allow better adhesion of the appendage.
• Apply 2-3 coats of AC-305 to both sides of the break or items to be attached.
• Apply one light coat of AC-306 to both pieces.
• Apply a generous coat of AC-306 and immediately and firmly press the pieces
together, holding them into place for 10-20 seconds until they become affixed.
• Let the area dry.
• After drying, the areas can then be sanded and smoothed to prepare for decoration.
• A top dressing of an underglaze may be needed. Clay Mender sometimes will
show a slightly different color than the clay being used. There are times when the
glaze will not readily adhere to the mended area and the top dressing of an under
glaze will overcome this problem.

Notes:
• If there is an area that did not fill in completely with Clay Mender, an additional
application may be necessary. If the area is large and cannot be filled in solely
with the product, then the addition of some clay dust to the product can thicken it
to compensate for the gap in the ware.
• Larger areas or missing areas can be filled in using the Clay Mender thickened
with clay dust. Fill in the area slowly and let it dry. Repeat until the area is filled
and level with the surrounding areas. A piece of paper towel can be used to sup
port the back of the missing area while you work. The piece of toweling is cut
slightly larger than the missing piece, wet with the Clay Mender and applied to the
inside area. Allow to dry and then fill in the area.
• Hairline cracks can be difficult to repair. It helps to widen the crack and then fill
this area with the Clay Mender, thus bonding the gap.

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AC-308 Fired Snow

Refer to directions of application under the Foam glaze category of the Mayco Book.

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AC-520 Solvent Cleaner

Characteristics:
Solvent Cleaner is a mineral spirit based product used to remove excess oil based translucent stains. Dampen a soft cloth with the Solvent Cleaner and wipe away the unwanted color. This product will take off the color quickly and should be used
sparingly. It can also be used to remove dried Wax Resist from a brush. You can also use the Solvent Cleaner to clean brushes used to apply Repellent. Do not fire.

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AC-523 Non-Fired Snow

Characteristics:
Non-Fired Snow is a water based acrylic material that creates snow effects. Its tough durable properties allow it to be applied to a fired glaze surface to create snow on pieces. It can be applied to bisque directly for an all over background texture. This can be done with a stiff Fan Brush to aid in the even application of the product.

You can tint Non-Fired Snow using any Softees Acrylic Stain or Softees Pearls. However, if a darker color is desired, apply the Snow first, allowed to dry and then apply a top coating of the desired Softees Acrylic Stain, Softees Pearls or Dazzling Metallic.

Clean up is done with warm water and AC-525 Brush Cleaner. This product is quick drying and the brush should be cleaned frequently during use to prevent a build up that is not easily removed. Do not fire.

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AC-522 Weathered Krackle

Characteristics:
This unique product is used to create a distressed wood look using acrylic stains. Any type of water base Softees Acrylic Stain, Softees Pearls or Dazzling Metallic can be used as the base coat, but the top coat can only be of an opaque acrylic.

Application:
• Apply a base coat of Softees Acrylic Stain, Softees Pearls or Dazzling Metallic. Allow to dry thoroughly.
• Apply a coat of Weathered Krackle using a fan brush for a smooth even coat. It
does not need to be applied heavily. Allow to dry.
• Apply a topcoat of Softees Acrylic Stain to produce the crackle pattern. Flow the color onto the ware using a fully loaded brush sized for the area and piece. Any soft brush or soft fan brush can be used for this application. Do not overlap or reapply the color before the effect takes place.
• Seal the surface with either a spray or brush on sealer. Apply the spray sealer in
two light to medium coats.
• The base coat must be dry before application of Weathered Krackle as a wet base
coat of color may affect the drying time and final look of the Weathered Krackle.
• Apply Weathered Krackle in a thin even coat using a Fan Brush. Do not apply too
heavily as it can produce runs as it dries. Any drips should be removed with a
clean moistened brush or a moist finger. Avoid excessive runs and puddles of this
product. Wash the brush in AC-525 Brush Cleaner and warm water.
• Do not fire.

Notes:
• The amount of Weathered Krackle applied does not determine the size of the crackle pattern. The crackle pattern is determined by the direction or method of the application of the topcoat of Softees Acrylic Stain, the dryness or dampness of the Weathered Krackle and the viscosity (thickness) of the top acrylic. A drying time of about 30 minutes (depending upon the weather and humidity) is all that is needed to produce the desired effect. The piece should be dry to the touch and able to be handled before applying the Weathered Krackle.
• Many different looks can be achieved by varying any one of these components to the process. Going in one direction with the topcoat will produce striations in the top color. A top coating of Softees Acrylic Stain over wet Weathered Krackle will give a wider crackling pattern as the top coat is drying over a moving base of crackle product. A fine web of transparent crackle can be achieved using a thinned topcoat of opaque acrylic.
• The application of the top coat of Softees Acrylic Stain should be done quickly and smoothly. Do not overwork the area being covered. Overworking or re-stroking an area with the brush full of color will lift the color just applied. The topcoat will start to crackle almost immediately after application. This topcoat of color is applied with any soft brush sized large enough for the piece. A Fan Brush is preferred for this application. Use only Softees Acrylic Stains for the topcoat as Softee Pearls and Dazzling Metallics will not produce the crackle pattern. They may, however, be used under the Weathered Krackle as a base coat.
• Weathered Krackle requires a sealer, either brush on or spray to adequately seal the final surface. Mayco AC-516 Porcelain Mist Spray is the recommended sealer. Remember that several light coats of spray are always best. One heavy coat of spray can create runs or discoloration. Weathered Krackle should not be used for outdoor items and especially items that would be exposed to rain.
• If any decoration is applied over the unsealed surface of the Weathered Krackle,
the decoration will continue to crackle where it meets the product. This is fine if
this is the look that is being sought. Antiquing over Weathered Krackle is best
done by first sealing the surface. A final sealer is applied over the antiquing to
complete the piece.
• An authentic weathered wood look can be achieved by rouging the sealed crackle
surfaces with translucent stains. This will give a look of peeling and fading paint
as if it were exposed to the elements.

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AC-525 Brush Cleaner

Characteristics:
This is a high quality brush cleaner designed for use with all water-based products. It can be used with oil base translucents to clean them as well. Do not use it to clean the fired metallics. The Brush Cleaner is mild to the hands and very effective in ridding brushes of paint particles left in the bristles. If a dried acrylic brush is left to soak in the cleaner, it will dissolve the dried material after a few days. It also conditions the hairs as it cleans.

Application:
To clean a brush with water or oil based products in them the following steps are
taken:
1. Pour a tiny bit of AC-525 Brush Cleaner into the palm of your cupped hand.
2. Massage the brush back and forth in your palm. Work the cleaner up into the
ferrule of the brush. Do not bend the hairs of the brush as this can cut the bristles
at the ferrule.
3. Rinse the brush with lukewarm water and repeat if necessary until the brush
rinses clear and clean.

Notes:
Use AC-525 Brush Cleaner to condition a brush when AC-302 Wax Resist or AC-303 Liquid Mask are to be used. Work brush cleaner into the bristles of the brush and blot out the excess. Immediately after the masking agent is used, clean the brush as noted above.

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AC-527 Mending and Sculpting Paste

Characteristics:
Mending and Sculpting Paste is a water based, non-toxic texturing medium. It can be used with virtually any water based acrylic color. You can mix it into Softees Acrylic Stains to create your own textured colors. Use as much or as little as you want to create the desired thickness. The medium will not affect the value or intensity of the acrylic color being used. Generally a 1 to 1 ratio is used when mixing with the acrylic color. Less acrylic will give you a rougher texture. The mixture can be applied with a brush, sponge or palette knife to create many interesting surfaces. Clean up is done with AC-525 Brush Cleaner and warm water.

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