COLOROBBIA Liquid Gold & Lustres

What Are COLOROBBIA Liquid Gold & Lustres?

COLOROBBIA liquid golds and lustres have dissolved metals as their essential component. They are intended for brush application onto already fired and glazed ceramic objects. For best results, use COLOROBBIA lustres within 1 year of manufacture.

Firing temperatures recommended by COLOROBBIA are:

Ceramic: 690°C–700°C, Orton cone SSB 018
Porcelain: 750°C–815°C, Orton cone SSB 017–015

This formulation is for ceramics only and is not suitable for glass. Please contact COLOROBBIA directly regarding their range of lustres for glass application.

How to Apply and Use

COLOROBBIA liquid golds and lustres generally have a gluey, dark brown appearance before firing.

Dilution: Gold, platinum and some lustres like copper and bronze do not need to be diluted. Other lustres can be diluted as needed with an appropriate thinner at approximately 10% addition. The Mother of Pearl Iris lustre needs to be diluted by at least 15%, as it burns more easily than other lustres when applied too thickly. Burnt MOP Iris results in a white powder and does not adhere. Precision scales are recommended when diluting in order to maintain the same fluidity and shade of colour.

The pieces to be decorated must be well-cleaned and bone dry.

Use a smooth, soft brush for application. The choice of brush will depend on the area being covered. For example, for a long, continuous band of lustre, use a long, soft-bristled brush such as a rigger brush.

The brush must neither be too heavily laden nor too lightly laden, and the layer applied must be uniform and fine, using a single brush stroke. Too thick a layer causes burning or clouding during firing. Gold lustre will fire purple if applied too thinly.

Before firing, leave the objects to dry for a few hours in a warm, dust-free place. The surface remains tacky until fired, so take care not to touch it.

COLOROBBIA Galaxy Range of Lustres

Discontinued by the manufacturer, available whilst stocks last.

To obtain the “Galaxy” effect, apply an even coat of product to the piece to be decorated.

Then, with a pointed brush loaded with the same product, stipple the coat with soft strokes. Circular spots will soon appear on the surface. The effect will spread further and have softer edges when applied to a wet coat. On a well-dried coat, the spots will appear smaller with sharper edges.

Wait for the decoration to dry completely before firing.

You can also apply these products with an airbrush for the first coat, but because the product is highly volatile, the effect will be reduced.

Why Choose Potclays?

From a delicate gold rim to a shimmering decorative surface, we can help you choose materials for those finishing touches. Our lustres sit alongside pottery tools and precision scales to support application and preparation.

Need help selecting a suitable brush or understanding the firing guidance? Get in touch with details of your piece and the effect you’d like to achieve.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is for guidance only. Different application methods and different firing conditions will affect results. Before using these products on a large scale, COLOROBBIA strongly recommends a preliminary test.

Please note: Royal Mail classify onglaze lustres as a prohibited item ("Flammable Liquid") therefore, we are only able to use a courier service. Please see this link.