Expert: Sam Kelly - 9/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a white glazed ceramic Christmas tree I would like to repaint in a glossy gold color.  I do not have access to a kiln/oven so it would have to be air dried.  Is this do-able?  If so, what type of paint would I use and what would be the best way to apply it?

ANSWER: Hi Rose, Idon't think it will be very successful but try an oil based paint, not water based. Put a bit on the bottom and test it.

Sam

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Sam, thank you for responding so quickly.  I have another question.  A local craft shop has an unglazed, bisque tree that I can buy.  However, they don't have the glossy gold paint I want.  I was told that if I can find the paint, they will fire it for me.  The girl I spoke to was not able to tell me what kind of paint to buy.  So my question is, can you tell me what kind of HIGH GLOSS gold paint I should buy for an unglazed, bisque piece?  And would it be sprayed on or applied with a brush?  (I guess that's two questions.)  Thank you so much!

Rose  

Answer
Hi Rose, you are now moving into a new process, a straight out pottery process. You need to apply a gold coloured glaze to the bisqued pot and then fire it, or apply a gold underglaze and re bisque, then fire with a clear gloss glaze.

Go to this website and do some reading, it will give you quite a bit of info and may help with the process you are looking for.

http://www.sheffield-pottery.com/Mason_Stains_s/8.htm

Sam