Transparent red help needed.

[disneymama]

I'm using Moretti striking red for the first time and I need some help. The red looks more like muddy brown. Is it possible to overstrike it?

I'm using a hot head on bulk propane and I'm not annealing them, just cooling in a fiber blanket.

[Cabanlet]

Since you are on a hothead I would try and work it as cool as possible.
I heat it till clear and work it really hot and then strike at the end. I don't know if that is possible on a hothead, but if you can that is how I would do it.

Amy

[Sue in Maine]

When working with red and getting muddy brown, you are working too hot. Move the glass about an inch or so further out into the flame. You may need to go further but start with moving it an inch out. Work it slower and cooler.

When done, take bead out of flame and let it cool a bit. Bring it back into the outer flames to warm it back up and strike it.

Sue

[Otter's Flame]

Maybe This Thread can help you, it has some good info about striking red.


Otter

[j2canoe]

I work on a HH and love working with both the striking red and orange. I usually work with the torch on a low setting (just enough to melt the glass on the rod). It normally strikes as I am winding on to a rich ruby red and I find that it does not need further striking - I just shape and pop into the kiln. I use MAPP though - it may make a difference. HH's have only two speeds - slow and glacial.....this would be a setting in between those two for me! I find that if the setting is right, when I put the wrapping rod down it will also have struck on the tip to the same ruby color. Don't overwork - just enough playing with it to get the shape you're going for and stop!

[disneymama]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to turn the heat down and see what I get. Fingers are crossed.

[CelesteK]

This is another one of those glasses that I start way out on the tip of the flame and then bring it in just until I get the soda flare. Then I work it there. I'm on a hot head with bulk propane and I can get beautiful reds out of the transparent red. When you look at your reds, it is best to look at them in daylight as they are seriously affected by flourescent lighting. I was sure I had burned my last red beads until I looked at them in a room where we don't have flourescent lighting and they magically looked red again.

Celeste

[carolinainmymind]

Originally Posted by CelesteK

This is another one of those glasses that I start way out on the tip of the flame and then bring it in just until I get the soda flare. Then I work it there. I'm on a hot head with bulk propane and I can get beautiful reds out of the transparent red. When you look at your reds, it is best to look at them in daylight as they are seriously affected by flourescent lighting. I was sure I had burned my last red beads until I looked at them in a room where we don't have flourescent lighting and they magically looked red again.

Celeste

Hi Celeste-

Just wanted you to know this is a great tip about the soda flare. I start working closer in the longer I torch and have to remind myself... look for the flare...!

[CelesteK]

I do that too! I'm not sure why...

Celeste