How to Remove Glaze From Pottery

The main challenge potters have when trying to remove glaze from pottery is to do it properly. If you remove too much of the glaze, you can damage the pottery and ruin the original design or finish. The good news is there are several methods you can use, but it’s important to choose the right one for your pottery.

One popular method is to sand the glaze off the pottery. However, this will require some patience, as you’ll need to sand slowly and evenly to avoid damaging the piece.

This article will explore how to remove glaze from pottery before and after firing it. I will also provide some tips on how to avoid removing too much of the original glaze or design.

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Reasons for Removing Glaze From Pottery

There are several reasons why you may want to remove glaze from your pottery:

To Fix a Mistake :

You may have applied the glaze too thick. As a result, your glaze dripped in one area. You also could have applied a glaze where you don’t want it.

To Change the Look:

If you’re not happy with how the glaze looks. You may want to change the color of the glaze. You’ll need to remove the existing glaze. This is a common reason why potters need to remove the glaze from their pottery.

For Aesthetics Reasons :

You may want to remove the glaze to achieve the desired effect. For example, if you’re trying to create a unique finish.

You can also use a sponge. I like to use sandpaper to create this look.

For Functional Purposes:

In some cases, the glaze may not be functional. For example, if you didn’t use a food-safe glaze on pottery that will be used for eating or drinking, you’d need to remove the glaze and reglaze before firing.

Glaze Dripped off Your Pottery During the Final Fire:

Glaze dripped onto your kiln shelf. While kiln wash will protect the kiln shelves, it won’t protect the bottom of your pottery piece.

Methods of How to Remove Glaze From Pottery

The methods to remove glaze can be divided into pre-firing and post-firing. In both cases, such tasks do take a little time and patients.  

Pre-firing methods involve removing the glaze in the Bisque Stage before the glaze firing. The great thing is the glaze can be fixed before it becomes permanent.

Post-firing methods are after the Final Fire when the glaze has become permanent and can’t be removed with pre-firing methods.  

Pre-firing Methods for Removing the Glaze From Pottery

Removing pottery glazes before firing is easier when you choose one of these methods:

Sanding off Glazed Pottery

One of the most popular pre-firing methods is to use sandpaper to remove the extra glaze from the pottery. This is a good option if you need to remove the glaze from a small area.

To use this method, you need a Dust Mask. Make sure the glazed surface is totally dry before removing the unwanted glaze for the best results.  Wet glaze or wet sandpaper may clump up the glaze making the removal uneven.

Rub the sandpaper over the area where you want to remove the glaze. You can use a variety of sandpaper grits. I found that fine-grit sandpaper works best for me.

Tip to avoid removing too much glaze: The key is not to rub on the glazed surface too hard. The best thing you can do is slowly, evenly, and lightly rub until all of the unwanted glaze is removed.

Sponging off Your Glaze From Pottery

This pre-firing method is to use a wet sponge to rub the glaze off of the pottery. This is a good method for removing the glaze from a small area like a glaze drip.

Dip your sponge in warm water and ring it out. You don’t want the sponge to be too wet. A damp sponge works best. Too much water will get the glaze too wet and risk smudging the glaze.

Gently rub over the area where you want to remove the coats of glaze. Continue rubbing until all of the unwanted glaze is removed.

Tip to avoid removing too much glaze: Frequently rinse your sponge out, and don’t rub too hard.

Washing Glaze off Your Pottery

This is a good option if you need to remove the glaze from the whole piece. To use this method, wet the pottery and let it sit for a bit to allow the water to penetrate the glaze. Then rub the glaze off with a sponge. A damp sponge will remove the glaze better than a wet sponge.

Continue rubbing and rinse out the sponge often until all of the glaze is removed before reglazing. Allow the piece to dry out for the reapplied glaze to adhere properly.

Scraping off Your Glaze From Pottery

If you need to remove small amounts of glaze from your pottery. You can use a Clean-Up Tool or another sharp object like a dental tool to scrape it off. This method works well to get globs off the top of the glaze.

Tip to avoid removing too much glaze: Don’t apply too much pressure with the tool, or you will gouge into the glaze.    

Post-firing Methods for Removing the Glaze From Pottery

Glaze can drip onto your kiln shelves, whether you’re firing at a higher temperature or low fire glazes. High temperatures tend to move glaze more easily, but lower temperatures can still melt the ceramic glazing. It depends more on the type of glaze (stable or flowing).

To learn how to remove the glaze from pottery after firing, I suggest using one of the following methods:

Sanding off the Ceramic Glaze

The most common post-firing method is to use sandpaper to remove the glaze. This is a good method to remove the glaze from a small area like sharp edges.

To use this method, you can use wet or dry sandpaper. I prefer dry sanding and always wear a Dust Mask when doing so. Start by rubbing coarse sandpaper in a circular motion over the area to remove the glaze.

Because the glaze has vitrified and is now glass-like, you will have to apply more pressure. I start with coarse sandpaper, then switch to finer sandpaper for a smoother surface.

The surface of the glazed area will become dull. Therefore, you will need to Reglaze and Refire the piece.

I don’t remove all the glaze. Just enough to scratch the surface so the new glaze can adhere to the fired glaze.   

Grinding off the Glaze From Pottery

There are several ways to grind off sharp edges or glaze drips from your glazed ceramic.

Rotary Tool

If you happen to apply the glaze too thick and it melts to the bottom of your pot, not all is lost. You can Grind the Melted Glaze off with your Handheld Rotary Tool. It has come in handy on more than several occasions. The Diamond Bits work the best on the glaze. You can also use the rotary tool to sand down sharp edges.

When using this method, always wear Safty Glasses. Unfortunately, I learned my lesson the hard way and got hit in the eye with a tiny speck of glaze.

Dip the diamond bit in water and place the grinder over the area where you want to remove the glaze. If you don’t use water, wear a Dust Mask.

Tabletop or Bench Grinder

When using a Tabletop Ginder or Bench, it’s best to use it outdoors if possible.

A Bench Grinder will take care of sharp edges on your glaze in a flash. Safety Glasses and a Dust Mask Should also be worn when operating the Tabletop Grinder.

Bat Grinder

If you need to remove the glaze from the bottom of your pottery, you can use a Bat Grinder. You would place the bat grinder on the pottery wheel to use this method. Then apply your piece over the area where you want to remove the glaze.

The potter’s wheel should be rotating slowly. No higher than medium speed. And keep the bat grinder WET, WET, WET throughout the process. I didn’t want to understate the wet part.

Tip to avoid removing too much glaze: It is important to avoid using too much pressure when using any of these grinding tools on your pottery to prevent damaging the pottery.

How to Remove Glaze From Terra Cotta Pots

Terra Cotta pots are a classic choice for stylish and functional home décor. Still, over time, the glaze can become stained or faded. Suppose you’re looking to restore your terracotta pots to their original beauty. In that case, there are a few simple steps you can follow.

First, clean the pot with water and a sponge.

Next, use sandpaper and water on the pot’s surface to remove any loose glaze. You will want to use coarse sandpaper to scratch the surface.

Finally, rinse the pot thoroughly and allow it to air dry. Reglaze and refire to cone 06.

Here are a few tips to help restore the Terra Cotta Pot:

• Work slowly and carefully when sanding the pottery. Too much pressure can damage the terra cotta clay.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials. These can also damage the pottery.

Conclusion

Removing glaze from pottery can be a challenge, but with the right methods, it is possible. This article has outlined different ways to remove the glaze depending on your needs. I have also provided tips for how to avoid removing too much of the original glaze on the pottery. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to remove the glaze from your pottery without damaging your pottery.

FAQ’s

How Do I Remove Glaze From Ceramic Tile?

To remove the ceramic glaze from ceramic tile, you will need to use a grinder or other rotary tool to remove the glaze. First, wet the diamond bit, and then apply the rotary tool over the tile surface where you want to remove the glaze. The glaze will start to come off. Continue grinding until the glaze is removed. The area where you ground the surface of the ceramic product will now have a dull appearance. You can apply a new glaze to the dull surface of tile with a clear glaze and refire to make the dull tile shinning again.       

Can I Use a Hairdryer to Remove Glaze From Pottery?

No, I do not recommend using a hairdryer to remove glaze from pottery. This just gets the ceramic surface hot. Instead, I recommend using one of the other methods outlined in this article.