Summary for cold enameling Discussion
Cold enameling is discussed as a ceramic-like, no-oven finish for crafts and jewelry, but the thread shows that performance depends heavily on the product and the process. Sue Ferguson asked for a paint-like cold enamel for garden stakes, bird feeders, and jewelry; Jonathan Lloyd said he had used cold enamels for jewelry with color pastes mixed into clear resin and hardener, noting that Xaya San gave a tough, shiny finish, though it may be hard to source in the U.S. Stanley’s problem was more severe: his epoxy enameling popped out during or after electroplating. Goran Budija suggested trying real glass enamel, roughening the surface, or using better pretreatment, while Guillermo Marrufo suggested plating before enameling. Another reply noted that polyester enamels may resist plating chemicals better than epoxy, and that spotless, waterbreak-free cleaning is critical. Goran also recommended Ceramit and other cold glazes for small silver jewelry.
Q. I am looking for a cold enamel paint that makes a ceramic like finish. I will be using this in craft ideas, garden stakes, bird feeders, jewelry etc.
Sue Ferguson
– Arlington, Tennessee
2001
A. I have been using Cold enamels for Jewelry making. They are easy, you have colour pastes which you add to a clear resin then add a hardener. They set overnight and the finish is tough and very shiny. Xaya San is the best brand I have used so far but I don’t think you can get it in America. If you contact Jewelry Craft Supplies in the UK then they can tell you if they will ship or not.
Jonathan Lloyd
– Lancashire UK
December 24, 2009
Q. I am having some problems with epoxy enameling on pieces of jewellery, which are cut and polished and subsequently electroplated. The enamel is popping out during/ after plating. Would you be able to suggest any other product that can adhere to the metal and it would not fall out from the piece.
STANLEY [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
U.K.
2006
A. Try real glass enamel. Maybe you can roughen surface of epoxy enamel areas (by bright dip), pretreatment is maybe bad. Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia
A. Jewelry is not my field but, why not plate before enameling.
Guillermo Marrufo
– Monterrey Mexico
A. Hi Stan. The previous replies should be helpful, but I have seen modest powder coatings survive a very extensive cyanide copper, acid copper, nickel, and chrome plating process so I am surprised that your enamel is not working. Which brings on two thoughts in addition to Goran’s and Guillermo’s —
• Polyester is more resistant to plating acids and alkalies than epoxy, so you might investigate whether polyester enamels which meet your needs are available.
• Are you sure the metal was spotlessly, thoroughly, waterbreak-free, clean before the enamel?
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
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Cold enameling for silver
Q. I am a hobbyist making small silver jewelry (rings, etc.) and I read on the web about cold enamels that don’t require oven. Any ideas on materials I can use?
Olga Karagianni
Art Teacher – Athens, Greece
2007
A. Ceramit is very good brand (USA product), try to find EU seller of that product. You can use so called cold glazes too and you can find it in any better hobbyist shop. Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia
Lightweight alternative to copper enameling?
Q. I am an artist looking for a durable, lightweight alternative to copper enameling. I would like to coat copper or brass sheet pieces in bright colors that would be scratch resistant and maintain their brightness over time.
Frances Doll
self- employed artist – Key West, Florida
April 27, 2010
A. Try cold enamels. Ceramit is very good brand (Krohn Technical Products, Carlstadt, New Jersey). Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia