#Mug #62 - Sanding

Nov 22

Written By Lony Maya Neubauer

#100Mugs#100Ways

Day 62

Here is #Mug #62 - Sanding

A. Sanding my bisqueware

There are a few reasons why I may choose to sand my bisqueware.

Sometimes there are rough parts, especially on a mug's foot; it happens but not very often.

I notice the rough parts more on clay that contains a lot of grog, less with porcelain because it is much smoother.

I save time by addressing the rough spots during the bisqueware stage than when it is glaze fired because it is softer, and the sharper edges and rough spots in the clay won't have been concealed by glaze yet.

I have noticed that glaze can break over a blemish and highlight it, which is not mainly a look I want to see.

I also want to keep in mind that a smooth surface can accentuate bumps, changes in textures, and undulations. These can be design features in some cases, but it's best to remove them when the clay is in the bisqueware stage if they are not.

B. How do I sand my bisqueware?

When the bisque fired work returns from the firing, I analyze each mug by running my hand over it carefully; this shows me what parts need sanding.

When sanding bisqueware, I prefer to get the mug wet; this helps avoid any airborne dust made during sanding. Generally, it is recommended to use wet/dry sandpaper to sand bisque.

Wet sanding bisqueware doesn't eliminate dust. Therefore it is still a good idea to wear my respirator.

I can sand a mug in several different ways. Either run my mug under tap water, wet the sandpaper, then sand, or dip the mug and sandpaper into water and sand it.

Then I sand the dry bisque; I prefer not to get the bisque completely wet if I can avoid it.

C. Cleaning up the mug after sanding

It is essential to clean up each mug before glazing it. The sanding creates a paste on the surface, and it needs to be removed because it can cause problems when firing the mug.

From what I have experienced in the past, dust and bisque particles prevent the glaze from bonding to the surface.

Sometimes when seeing a bare patch on a mug, that may be the reason the glaze did not fill into that area because of the dust and particles.

To avoid this, I clean up each mug with a wet sponge or run it under the tap water or dip it in water to remove any residue left on the work.

I want to let the bisque completely dry for a day or so after wet sanding it.