RAC 0-16 – Raised Accent Colors (RAC’s) are slip-based colors (or engobes) which are available in 2 oz. applicator pens with a fine metal tip for decorating on greenware or bisque. They create embossed or raised designs on ceramic decorative work because the colors do not flatten out when they are fired. They are also available in 16 oz. squeeze bottles, which can be used to refill the pens or which can be used for other slip trailing applications.
PREPARATION
Each 2 ounce RAC squeeze bottle comes with a separate metal tip. Before
using the pen unscrew the black plastic cap and remove the liner from
inside the cap. After screwing the cap back on the bottle, take off the
clear plastic cover. The black plastic tip has a small hole which can be
used without modifications or, if you want to make thicker lines,
carefully cut a small piece off the end of the tip with a sharp knife or
scissors in order to enlarge the hole. If you want to attach the metal
tip, in order to make finer lines, you will need to cut approximately ¼
inch off the end of the black tip. This will provide a fat enough end to
screw the metal tip onto.
HOW TO USE THEM
Before using the pen on your ceramic piece, first shake the pen
vigorously and then test the flow by squeezing some of the slip out on a
piece of paper. This should remove any air bubbles and establish a
consistent flow of slip. If the slip has become too thick to flow
properly, unscrew the black plastic cap and pour 2 or 3 drops of water
into the bottle. Then replace the cap and shake and test again. When you
are using the pen on a piece of greenware or bisque, hold the pen tip
in contact with the piece. It makes it easier to control the writing
than holding the tip above the piece and dropping the color onto the
surface. Also the slight scratching of the surface improves the bonding
between the slip and the piece. Do not hold the pen directly vertical
while writing because this leaves no gap for the liquid to flow out of.
Hold the pen at an angle to the surface so that there is an opening for
the slip to flow through. Because the slip is quite thick you must
write more slowly than with a pen. This allows time for the liquid to
flow through the tip. You can create a large variety of line
thicknesses by varying finger pressure and writing speed. The harder
you press and the slower you write the thicker your lines will be.
HOW TO KEEP THE METAL TIP FROM PLUGGING
The liquid in an RAC pen is a type of colored slip and like any other
slip it will harden in the pen tip unless you do something to prevent
it. We recommend taking a staple from your stapler and straightening out
one end to use as a reamer to push into the metal tip. It is helpful
to leave the staple in the tip when the pen is not in use to prevent
clogging. When you are finished using the pen for the day, the metal
tip should be removed from the plastic nipple and the clear plastic
cover replaced on the bottle to prevent the pen from drying out. Also
when you have an empty pen you should clean it out and fill it with
water. After you have finished using a metal tip you should screw it
onto the pen filled with water and squeeze water through the tip to
clean it out. Letting a used tip soak in water will help prevent
hardening and plugging.
HOW TO REFILL AN RAC PEN
In order to refill an RAC pen, you first
unscrew the black plastic cap from the top of the bottle. Then using the
16 ounce RAC refill bottles you squeeze more of the same color slip
into the bottle. Since the slip is quite thick you may need to tap the
bottle on a hard surface a few times as you refill it to get the liquid
to settle to the bottom of the bottle.