Fused Glass Edge Finishing

Finishing may be required if the piece has edges that have not rounded properly, are uneven and may also have some sharp spikes.

It may be that the item has been under fired if the edges are not as round as you would like.

Place it back in the kiln and re-heat to a slightly higher temperature or leave on soak for longer.

If the fused glass has spikes then it has been over fired.

Grind spikes away, then re-fire at a lower temperature.

Small spikes can be removed with a diamond hand pad. Diamond hand pads can also remove kiln wash that may have stuck to the glass.

Temperatures of around 1350-1400 F (730-760 C) should be enough to rectify a fused item.

Edges can be finished on a grinder, if slumping is required, fire the piece in a digital kiln where the slumping temperature is more easily controlled and monitored.

On larger pieces of fused glass where the edges are distorted, grinding with a wet belt sander may be necessary

Some jewelry pieces may have uneven edges if stacked glass pieces have been placed too close to the edge causing the edges to bulge as the glass fuses.

Straighten the edges on a grinder; leave finished item in water until ready to re-fire.

This will prevent the grinding residue drying out and leaving a gray line during fusing.

Clean fused glass using a small nailbrush to remove all residues.

Re-fire piece using your fire-polishing schedule.

Jewelry mold items where frit has been used will quite often have some spikes.

Grind spikes away with a fine grinding head or use a diamond hand pad, clean and place in mold and fire polish.