Tanya's Advice on Enamels & Paints

HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER TO USE PAINT OR ENAMEL?

Hello!  One of the most frequent questions we receive is "how do I know which fusing paint or enamel to use for my project?" This can be tricky, especially with so many paint & enamel lines on the market.  Below I have highlighted each paint and enamel brand we carry at AAE Glass with some important tips and product information about each.  This knowledge will assist you in choosing the right paint or enamel for your glass fusing project.  In addition, scroll down to the bottom of the email where I have supplied some basic fusing schedules to help you get started.
Happy Fusing!
   - Tanya Veit 

Big Mouth Paints

Characteristics: Thinner consistency, wide mouth jars, fires glossy at higher temps, easily mixable to create custom color palette.
Cost: $18.95 per 6 oz. jar (by weight)
Firing Range: 1475°F - 1515°F
Mixing Medium Required: None
Best Mixing Tool: Popsicle Stick
Applications: Paint Pouring, Painting, Stippling
Can be Clear Capped?: Yes 
Food Safe? Yes
Other Notes: Big Mouth paints are great for mixing colors with no worry of reactions when paint pouring. Best color is achieved when firing to hotter full fuse temps when paint is on top of the glass. Color will mute a bit between layers of glass.

EZ Fire Enamels

Characteristics: Vibrant. Extremely strong color intensity that cannot be achieved using glass powders.  Hot colors fire strong and vibrant.  Easy to mix. 
Cost: $16.50 per 1 oz. jar
Firing Range: 1250°F - 1650°F
Mixing Medium Required: Fuse Master Silk Screen Medium
Best Mixing Tool: Stainless Steel Paddle
Applications: Screen Printing, glass painting, air brushing, paint pouring and stippling
Can be Clear Capped? Yes 
Food Safe? Only when capped with clear glass
Other Notes: EZ Fire enamels are a blessing to the fused glass industry.  Glass enamels can be pricey.  This enamel line is cost efficient compared to most brands and all colors fire true to color without any problematic issues.  Be sure to mix to a smooth consistency.  Thicker for screen printing, thinner for paint pouring and painting.  AAE Glass packages these enamels in reusable plastic jars with lids which makes it very convenient for mixing and storing. 

Glassline Paint Pens

Characteristics: Large selection of colors, no mixing medium required.  Bottles are equipped with fine point tops for fine line "drawing" and shading, fires glossy at higher temps, easily mixable to create custom color palette.
Cost: $9.25 per 2 oz. bottle
Firing Range: 1475°F - 1515°F
Mixing Medium Required: None
Best Mixing Tool: Popsicle Stick
Best Application: Painting, Stippling, Filling in Paint Stickers
Can be Clear Capped?: Yes 
Food Safe? Yes
Other Notes: Mixes well with other Glassline colors to create a custom palette.  Metal Tips are great for detail work.  HOT TIP: Although these paints fire glossy on top of the glass at higher temps, such at 1500°F, you can still maintain that vibrant glossy color under a clear cap.  How?  Fire you piece with the paint on top to 1500°.  Clear cap on a separate firing (you will need to dam your piece as it will be 9mm thick now) and full fuse.  The color will remain vibrant.

Helpful Firing Schedules

EZ Fire Enamels 

Based on 6mm thick glass / 10" x 10" or smaller in size
Full Fuse • Enamels on top of glass
400 DPH to 1000 Hold 30 min.
60 DPH to 1225 Hold 60 min.
600 DPH to 1490 Hold 10 min.
9999 to 900 Hold 60 min.
100 - 700 Hold 01 min.

Glassline Paints • Glossy Look

Based on 6mm thick glass / 10" x 10" or smaller in size
Full Fuse Glassline Paints on Top of Glass
400 DPH to 1000 Hold 30 min.
60 DPH to 1225 Hold 60 min.
600 DPH to 1505 Hold 12 min.
9999 to 900 Hold 60 min.
100 - 700 Hold 01 min.