Flumo -Liquid Clay

FLUMO is barbotina (clay in liquid state) without firing, which dries in the air acquiring great hardness. It is used with plaster molds by the traditional system of casting, obtaining a piece of great quality and ceramic resistance. It is a very suitable material for handicrafts, especially for the world of dolls and miniatures.

In liquid state, the product can be dyed with any conventional water-soluble pigment or dye. Once dry, it can be colored or varnished with any type of paint or varnish. It can also be polished, carved or drilled.

Conforms to European standard EN-71 and USA standard (AP non-toxic product seal). Remains unalterable in its original packaging conditions for a minimum period of two years.

what makes FLUMO liquid clay different?

Compared to conventional clays used with the casting technique (earthenware or porcelain), FLUMO liquid clay does not require firing in a ceramic kiln, as it dries in the air. Once the piece is dry, it can be colored or glazed.

Preparation of the slip

• When opening the container, do not discard the most liquid part of the surface. Before use, stir to homogenize the product well, taking care not to incorporate air in the mixture (appearance of bubbles).
• Let it stand for a few minutes to favor the evacuation of bubbles that could damage the finish of the piece.
• If necessary, add only DISTILLED WATER. The addition of tap water could modify the rheology (viscosity) of the slip.

Filling the mold

• Use only plaster molds.
• Before filling, make sure that the mold is dry and free of dust.
• Pour the product WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS on the side of the mold mouth and let it slide inside. This will prevent the formation of bubbles.
• Wait 10 to 20 minutes before emptying the mold. The waiting time depends on the size of the mold and the desired thickness. If a thicker piece is desired, let it stand longer and fill the mold when the level drops.

Pouring the mold

• Tap the mold lightly before pouring. Note that the product becomes more fluid.
• Empty the mold and let it drain well.
• Keep the excess covered in its original container for other uses.

Unmolding

• Open the mold after 1 hour. Wait longer in case of large parts.
• Before reusing the mold, clean it from product residues and let it dry completely.

Drying

• NO BAKING IS REQUIRED.
• Once the piece is removed from the mold, let it dry at room temperature for 2 to 5 days. It will acquire great hardness and resistance.
• It is advisable to remove the burrs from the mold before the piece dries completely.
• If you wish to obtain a FASTER DRYING and greater hardness and resistance, when extracting the piece from the mold, place it in a domestic oven between 100 and 120ºC for 60 minutes.

Finishing and decoration

• Once dry, the object can be polished, carved or drilled prior to decoration.
• The object can be decorated with any type of paint, pencil or marker.
• It can also be varnished. The use of varnish also ensures greater durability of the object and improves the ease of cleaning.

fLUMOis not water resistant. It is not recommended to make objects that must contain water even if protected with a waterproofing agent.

Conservation

• Once the container is unsealed, close tightly to avoid water loss.
• If necessary, add only DISTILLED WATER. The addition of tap water could modify the rheology (viscosity) of the slip.

►S tore the product in a cool environment avoiding high temperatures. Do not store at temperatures below 0°C. If the product freezes, it loses its properties.

FAQ's

can FLUMO liquid clay be used with plastic molds?

FLUMO liquid clay only works with plaster molds (porous). The traditional casting method consists of the mold absorbing the water from the slip by capillary action, which forms a solid wall covering the inside face of the mold. If the mold is not porous, the wall formation is not achieved. For this reason, plastic or silicone molds cannot be used.

can FLUMO liquid clay be dyed?

FLUMO liquid clay is white, which makes it easy to decorate once the piece is finished. However, slip can also be mass dyed using conventional water-soluble dyes or pigments. This technique is especially interesting in doll reproduction, thus achieving the desired skin tone.

what advantages does FLUMO liquid clay have over conventional earthenware or porcelain from casting?

The main advantage of FLUMO over earthenware or porcelain is that it DOES NOT NEED FIRING. In this way, an important energy saving is achieved in the production of the piece and the large investment of buying a ceramic kiln is avoided. FLUMO is an ideal product to be used by any user who does not have a ceramic workshop.