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How is a metal object cleaned before enamel is spread on it?
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Enamelwork
Standing dish depicting Samson crushing the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, enamel on copper by Pierre Courteys, c. 1580; in the Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati, Ohio. Height 9.8 cm, diameter 22.9 cm.
To prepare a metal object for enamelwork, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure the enamel adheres properly. The process involves the following steps:
- Immersion: The metal is first cleansed by being immersed in a solution of acid and water.1
- Removal of Acid: Once the metal is cleaned, all traces of the acid must be removed. This is achieved through a thorough washing process.1
- Drying: Finally, the object is dried using warm oak sawdust.1
In other industrial contexts, such as porcelain enamelling, base items may also be cleaned using physical methods like sandblasting or pickling in acid.2