Gold & Silver Lustres (Onglaze)
Application Information – Generic Guidelines
1. Gold or Silver lustre can only be applied to an item that has already been glazed and fired. The
base over glaze may be a dipping glaze or brush-on glaze of any colour. In our experience, some
green glazes can create a reaction and tarnish the gold.
2. The manufacturer’s guidelines vary. Always check the label and follow the guidelines provided.
3. We recommend using a rubbing alcohol (like the Duncan Cleaning Essence) solution to clean the
surface of your glazed ware. Using a soft tissue, gently clean your item to remove any dust or
grease. This will help prevent the item from tarnishing. Make sure the item is perfectly dry before
you begin to paint. THE CLEANING ESSENCE AND LUSTRE PAINT HAVE A HIGH
INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL CONTENT. VENTILATION WHEN USING THESE PRODUCTS IS
ESSENTIAL. DO NOT ALLOW THESE PRODUCTS TO BE USED WITHOUT SUPERVISION
BY AN ADULT.
4. Using a round liner brush or something similar apply 2 or 3 even coats of lustre to your piece.
Ensure the brushes have not been used with any other product i.e. are new or have been used on
gold or silver previously – do not mix the gold & silver brushes. Allow sufficient time for each coat
to dry between applications. Do not apply too much lustre at once otherwise the lustre will run
and spread. If this happens wipe of excess very carefully with a cotton bud dampened in the
cleaning essence.
5. It is advisable to clean the brushes immediately after use. Pour a small amount of cleaning
essence into the lid of the bottle. Use this to clean your brushes thoroughly. USE THESE
BRUSHES AND CLEANING ESSENCE FOR GOLD OR SILVER APPLICATION ONLY IN THE
FUTURE.
6. Fire your lustre to the recommended temperatures. When loading your work into the kiln, do not
touch the lustre otherwise it will tarnish. If the item is not dry-footed remember to stilt as for a
glaze firing. If using the Duncan products below (and Country Love Craft’s bisque colour and
glaze), we recommend a firing temperature of 730°c. We also recommend using same ramp
settings as for a standard glaze firing but lowering the top temperature as required.
Products available from Country Love Crafts:
Order Code
CLCLEANING ESNCE
CLLUSTRE GOLD
CLLUSTRE MOP
CLLUSTRE SILVER
Description
Duncan Cleaning Essence - ½oz 15ml
Duncan Gold – 2gm
Duncan Mother Of Pearl ½oz 15ml
Duncan Silver – 2gm
Go to the link below for a downloadable pdf document containing more information about these
products:
http://www.ilovetocreate.com/media/pdfs/02383_dcn_crc_OverglazeF&B.pdf
How to use Precious Metals
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
1. Be sure that the surface of your piece is free of dust, skin oils and lotions to ensure proper
adhesion. Wipe surfaces with rubbing alcohol prior to applying the overglaze (except when used
over crackle glazes).
2. Always apply with a brush that is designated solely for use with the Gold to prevent
contamination.
3. Do not stir or shake glaze.
4. Place a small amount of overglaze on a glazed palette. Apply one smooth coat. Do not let the
Gold pool in an area; brush it out smoothly.
5. Correct application should produce a Christmas green tint.
6. Clean brush in Essence and let dry.
7. Overglazed ware can be fired while it is still wet. The kiln must be clean, well-ventilated (do not
overload) and follow a normal firing schedule. Do not touch wet decoration and handle as little as
possible until ware is fired to avoid smudging.
8. Stilt and fire the Gold to shelf cone 019-018.
Tips & Techniques
1. The appearance of Gold will vary with the type of glaze over which it is applied. When applied
over a gloss glaze, Gold will be shiny. When applied over a matte glaze, Gold will be dull.
2. If Gold is accidentally applied on the wrong area, dip a cotton swab in Essence and wipe off
misplaced colour.
3. If any areas are missed, go back and touch up before Gold dries.
4. If using a metallic overglaze and Mother of Pearl on the same piece, apply and fire the metallic
overglaze first.
5. For solid coverage with Gold, apply over a grey glaze or a grey underglaze covered by clear
glaze.
How to use Essence
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
1. Swish overglaze brush in solvent until bristles are free of product. Wipe on paper towel.
Tips & Techniques
1. Use a separate bottle of Essence for each overglaze product. Mark the bottle according to which
overglaze product was used. Contamination can result if brushes and/or Essence used with one
product come in contact with brushes and/or Essence used with another. For example, if you use
Bright Gold and clean your brush in one bottle of Essence, then clean a brush used with Mother
of Pearl in that same bottle of Essence, contamination will result and compromise all subsequent
firings.