Grind drips off a kiln shelf
Glaze drips happen. A good potter fixes them immediately instead of letting them cause problems in the next firing.
What you need
- A silicon carbide rubbing brick (looks like a grey brick, feels like sandpaper)
- Safety glasses (silica dust!)
- A respirator or do this outdoors
- The offending shelf
Steps
- Identify all glaze drips and raised spots on the shelf surface
- Grind each one flat using the rubbing brick in circular motions
- Keep grinding until the shelf is smooth and level: a drip left behind will fuse your next pot to the shelf
- Brush away all dust
- Re-apply kiln wash to the cleaned area (two thin coats, let dry between)
Why kiln wash matters
Kiln wash is a sacrificial layer. If glaze drips in the next firing, it sticks to the wash, not the shelf. You scrape off the wash instead of grinding the shelf.
This is maintenance, not glamour. But it's what keeps a studio running smoothly.