Expert: Sam Kelly - 11/19/2009

Question
I hope you can help me. I have had to change to a lead free clear glaze. I have been advised to fire to 1035 with a soak time of 1hour. It still hasn't stopped all the pinholing and now the glaze has a cloudy finish - help!!  

Answer
pin holeing is also caused by fine clay particles(powder) on the pot, make sure its totally clay dust free before applying the glaze.

Cloudy usually means the application is two thick, a clear glaze does not need a very thick application, myself I apply with a spray gun and stop while I can still see through the glaze.

You can try firing a little higher to see if the pin holeing decreases, I would certainly soak at top temp for at least half hour to let the gases escape and glaze settle. For a test I would fire to 1050 and soak at this temp for a minimum of half hour.

Sam