A Guide to Reusche Pigments

MY GUIDE TO REUSCHE PAINTS by J. Kenneth Leap
This chart references the categories listed in the Reusche catalogue, therefore the terminology may differ from other systems of classifying historic pigments. Click to download the Glass Stainers Catalogue.

Reusche Classification	DESCRIPTION	FIRING RANGE	ACID resistant	Contains LEAD
WEATHER RESISTANT	Pigments made from glass frit and metallic oxides that have been formulated to resist atmospheric weathering. These colors can be applied to either side of the glass and fired up or down. The earth toned colors: black, brown etc. are the closest to the historic “antique” colors. Bright colors such as red or blue in this category will be opaque and look most brilliant in reflected, not transmitted light.	1200-1250°F	Yes	Yes
BLENDABLE BENDING COLORS	Pigments made from glass frit and metallic oxides that have been formulated to stretch during slumping. These colors can be applied to either side of the glass and fired up or down. All colors are opaque and look most brilliant in reflected, not transmitted light.	1200-1300°F	?	Yes
TRANSPARENT COLORS	Pigments made from glass frit and metallic oxides including gold. These pigments are soft and must be fired painted side up. Opacity varies from translucent to transparent and looks brilliant in transmitted light.	1050-1080°F	No	Yes
ENAMELS	Pigments made from glass frit and metallic oxides. These colors are soft and must be fired painted side up. Colors may be opaque or transparent.	1050-1080°F	No	Yes
SILVER STAINS	Pigments made from silver oxide ground with ochre or red clay. In the heat of the kiln a chemical reaction takes place causing silver particles migrate into the surface of the glass and replace sodium molecules. The glass is stained yellow by this process. Silver stain must touch the bare glass surface for the reaction to take place. Stains can be fired up or down. Firing silver stain down may leave residue on the kiln shelf which can show up as a ghost image on subsequent firings. If you must fire the applied side down use a disposable shelf preparation (whiting, kiln wash or fiber paper.)	1050-1080°F	Yes	No
SERIES 5 LEAD/CADMIUM FREE	Pigments made from glass frit and metallic oxides that have been formulated without lead & cadmium. These colors can be applied to either side of the glass and fired up or down. The earth toned colors black, brown etc. are similar to the historic “antique” colors. Bright colors such as red or blue in this category will be opaque and look most brilliant in reflected, not transmitted light.	1140-1400°F	No	No
MISCELLANEOUS GLASS COLORS	Over the years Reusche Co. has acquired pigment lines from other defunct manufactures. These pigments are made from glass frit and metallic oxides. The colors in this category are soft and must be fired up. The colors may be opaque or transparent. Test in your own studio.	1050-1080°F	No	Yes
HOT GLASS COLORS	Pigments made from glass frit and metallic oxides that have been formulated to withstand very high temperatures associated with glass blowing, casting and other “hot glass” processes. These colors can be applied to either side of the glass and fired up or down. Bright colors such as red or blue in this category will be opaque and look most brilliant in reflected, not transmitted light. Colors will look best when cased with clear glass.	1330-1720°F	?	Yes

GENERAL NOTES: Pigments within one category can be intermixed. Pigments from different categories can be applied over each other by firing each separately. Respect the firing temperatures when determining layer order. Some pigments will shift color when fired more than once. Some pigments may create an interference reaction when applied over another pigment. Other factors which influence the outcome of the painting process include: the chemistry of the glass the pigment is being applied to, the medium used to mix the paint and the temperature the pigment is fired to - including the rate of firing. Results can vary when using a gas vs. electric kiln. The tin side of float glass can affect certain colors. The only sensible approach is to do tests and keep accurate notes as you develop a familiarity with glass pigments.