Stroke & Coat
15 years later Stroke & Coat® has become our most popular glaze product and it is used in every ceramics market Hobby Ceramicraft serves.
General Use
One coat will create a translucent finish with subsequent coats increasing opacity. We suggest 2 to 3 coats for opacity and all over coverage. Let dry between coats. Stroke & Coat glazes will fire to a gloss finish without clear glaze. However, if desired, a clear glaze may be added. For application on clay, we recommend leaving an area unglazed, such as the back or bottom of the ware, to allow for out-gassing of water and organic materials during the firing process. Stroke & Coat glazes have been formulated to mature at shelf cone 06. Most Stroke & Coat glazes will maintain their colour at higher temperatures, especially reds, oranges, yellows, greens and blues. Their performance changes at cone 6 is noted on each individual product label. We recommend testing prior to use. For more information on mid-range performance, Click here to view Mid-Range firing guide PDF
Stroke & Coat glazes are non-toxic and food safe.
Helpful Hints
* SC-13 Grapel, SC-33 Fruit of the Vine and SC-85 Orkid are formulated with chrome-tin pigments and can be sensitive to some non-toxic clear glazes; namely – a milky/cloudy haze may form over the colours. Test by adding a light application of the clear glaze to these colours.
* SC-70 Pink-a-Dot is more translucent than other Stroke & Coat glazes. Additional coats (more than 3) may be necessary to achieve opacity.
* Stroke & Coat glazes do not move or blend when used with other glazes. You can apply side-by-side or layer without losing integrity of design.
* Can be applied with a brush, sponge, detailer bottle, mats, stamps or silkscreens.
Product Features
Glaze Combinations
Layer Stroke & Coat glazes or use in combination with other glazes, such as Mayco Foundations. The integrity of the design will remain as intended by the artist. When used in a majolica technique, colours will not move or blend with the colours beneath.
No Fail Reds
Stroke & Coat reds are simply the best on the market. SC-73 Candy Apple Red, SC-74 Hot Tamale and SC-87 Ruby Slippers fire true to standard every time and do not require special application or attention during firing.
These reds are great for kids and students and perfect for the potter looking for a red accent at a hot cone 10.
Light Over Dark
Lighter colours can be used over dark colours, remaining bright and opaque and will not blend with the colours underneath.
On Greenware/Clay
Apply Stroke & Coat glazes directly on wet or leatherhard clay and fire to bisque. Colours remain glossy and vibrant – and save you time by removing the bisque fire step!
For application on clay, we recommend leaving an area unglazed, such as the back or bottom of the ware, to allow for out-gassing of water and organic materials during the firing process.
Gloss without Clear Glaze
Stroke & Coat glazes will fire to a gloss finish without any clear glaze.
Clear glaze may be added if additional glossiness is desired or if the Stroke & Coat glaze has not been applied consistently (insufficient overall coverage) to unglazed dinnerware.
Sgraffito
This technique provides an impactful, dramatic way to use Stroke & Coat glazes on your ceramics. Carve into the glaze to create depth, add contrast to your designs, and to reveal your colours below.
1, 2, 3 coats
One coat creates designs with translucent effects; additional coats add opacity. Stroke & Coat glazes are heavily pigmented and will not streak, no matter the number of coats. Let dry between coats.
Wide Firing Range
Many Stroke & Coat glazes perform well at mid-range (cone 5/6) and higher temperatures (cone 9/10). Darker colours such as red, orange, yellow, blue and green may darken compared to their cone 06 results. Lighter colours such as tan, purple and pink will fade. We recommend testing at your preferred firing temperature prior to use. Check label of specific colour for performance at higher temperatures. Also, check out the mid-range firing guide to view our test results. Click here to view Mid-Range firing guide PDF
Application Recommendations
- Shake for 5-6 seconds before use. Dispense glaze onto a palette (tile, plate, etc.) and apply with your brush or decorating accessory of choice (sponge, stamp, etc.).
- For all-over coverage we recommend using broad bristled soft brush.
- One coat will produce a translucent finish with subsequent coats increasing the opacity. For most applications three coats will be sufficient for complete opaque coverage.
- When the wet looks has gone from the first coat you may apply the next coat of Stroke and Coat flowing rather than brushing the coats of glaze.
- Let dry and fire to shelf cone 06.
- We do not recommend "force" drying (using a hair dryer, for example) as you may experience cracks or crevices in the fired finish.
Usage Variations and FAQ’S
Q: Do I have to use clear glaze to achieve a glossy finish?
A: Stroke & Coat fires to a gloss finish and does not require clear glaze. Clear glaze maybe used to enhance the glossiness of the fired finish. Apply the clear glaze according to manufacturer's directions over the unfired Stroke & Coat and fire once. Note: The amount of non toxic glaze deposited can affect the fired results. If too much glaze and clear glaze is applied you may experiences dull or "milky" fired finishes. If this occurs, adjust the number of glaze layers applied, lighten the amount of glaze on your brush, etc. - whatever is needed to reduce the total amount of glaze placed on the ware. For pieces already fired - you may improve the fired finish by refiring at cone 06 and adding a hold/soak time at the end of the firing cycle (10-15 minutes).
Q: Are Stroke & Coat glazes luster compatible?
A: All colours are luster compatible.
Q: How can I create dimensional effects with Stroke & Coat?
A: Stroke & Coat will remain moderately dimensional when applied in a concentrated area. To create a raised line with a brush: layer 4 to 6 coats, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. You can also use a detailer bottle or slip trailer to create raised lines: apply 2-3 layers, again allowing each layer to dry between applications.
Q: How do I achieve best results when applying Stroke & Coat to greenware/clay?
A: Gases and moisture will escape from the greenware during firing, so it is best to leave a portion of the ware unglazed - for example: the back of a tile, the foot of a vessel- to avoid pin-holing or craters. If you do completely glaze a greenware piece you may also experience a dulling of the gloss finish. If this occurs you can apply a clear glaze and refire to cone 06 to get a gloss finish. Always test to see if Stroke & Coat will work on your specific greenware project.
Q: What are the guidelines for firing Stroke & Coat to higher temperatures (cone 6 - cone 10)?
A: Many of the Stroke & Coat colours perform well at mid-range (cone 5-6) and high (cone 9-10) temperatures. Darker colours - green, red, blue, orange, purple - will maintain much of their original colour value (they may darken a bit compared to cone 06 results). Lightly pigmented colors - pink, yellow, tan, lighter purples - will fade. Always test to see if this application variance will work on your specific project. The cone 6 colour information is found on the left hand side of the label for each Stroke and Coat colour (under “Special Notes”). Mayco recommends testing for clay body compatibility prior to use on work.
Q: Can Stroke & Coat be used with other products?
A: Stroke & Coat glazes are compatible with all Mayco glazes and with many alternative brands of glazes. It is not recommended to design on top of fluid, moving glazes, such as Crystalites, Jungle Gems, or Elements, as then work may become distorted.
Q: What makes Stroke & Coat glazes different from other glazes?
A: Stroke & Coat is a heavy-bodied glaze that levels out and heals imperfections during the glaze application process. It can withstand over firing without fading and it is tolerant of many types of bisque and clay bodies. It is not fluid like many gloss glazes - it behaves more like a traditional underglaze as it "stays put" where it is applied. It's like having 4 or 5 different glazes in one bottle - a Wonderglaze for bisque and clay.
Label
Label Directions
Shake well. Apply 1 coat for translucent colour or 2 or more for solid coverage. Allow to dry. Apply brush on or dipping glaze if desired. Allow to dry and fire to shelf cone 06 (999° C). Designed for bisque, but can be used on clay, greenware, and stoneware. Test first. Do not spray apply without proper personal protective equipment. Food Safe, Non-Toxic and Non Hazardous when used according to manufacturer's directions. For more information, refer to MSDS sheet.