Prometheus® White Bronze Clay Instructions

Prometheus White Bronze is a claylike material which turns into pure solid bronze, similar to silver color, when fired in a kiln. It is a mixture of micron sized bronze powder, water and organic binder. It can be formed by hand, rolled into a sheet or a rope. It can be molded, textured, even turned on a potter's wheel. Prometheus white bronze clay can be fired with most lab-created gemstones (cubic zirconias), pre-tested natural stones, glass beads, ceramic and porcelain.

When the clay is fired in a kiln, the organic binder evaporates and burns away and you're left with pure, solid white bronze.

You can create unique jewelry, ornaments, hollow ware, statues, sculptures and many other decorative objects. Anything you create with Prometheus white bronze clay with Prometheus Copper Clay and Prometheus Bronze Clay.

Combine it with your imagination and let your fingers do the rest!

Working with Prometheus White Bronze Clay

It is similar to working with Prometheus copper clay and Prometheus bronze clay silver clays, polymer clays, modelling dough, flower dough and ceramic clays and very easy to use.

Wet Stage

At normal consistency, Prometheus white bronze clay does not stick to hands, working surface, instruments or molds without need of any lubricating oils.

Remove the clay from its plastic bag and place it on a clean plastic surface or wax paper. Use your fingers, roller, spatulas, clay shapers, craft knives, tooth picks and other simple tools to shape it, texture it, or turn it on a potter's wheel. You can texture the clay with rubber stamps, texture mats, leaves, paper, and other interesting textures.

When you take with the clay out of the package, "The Wet Stage" begins. Try not to work at this stage for too long in order to avoid your clay from drying out but, don't rush your work, Prometheus white bronze clay gives long long time to play with. However, if you detect any cracks on the surface, apply some water straight away with a brush or spray, and fill the cracks with a little paste to repair them.

To join two pieces together, simply wet the points that will touch, or add a little paste (to make paste, simply mix a little clay with a little water). If the two pieces are dry, wet the touching points, and paste to create a secure bond.

Store any unused clay in a plastic bag with a zipper to prevent it from drying out. Place any offcuts in the bag straight away whilst you're working, and keep it closed. If you're not planning to work with the clay for a while, put the sealed plastic bag in a jar with a tight lid. Placing a wet sponge to the bottom of the jar will keep your clay at a good condition, until your next usage. If you are storing it for a long time, keep an eye on the sponge and add water if needed.

Drying

Before firing the Prometheus white bronze clay, you need to dry it completely. A hair dryer or putting it on top of a kiln will do it well. Hot-plates or food dehydrators work well too.

To check if the clay is completely dried, put the hot clay (straight from drying) on a cold mirror. After 10-20 seconds, move it and check that there is no condensation on the mirror. This test is especially important for big and thick pieces. If the piece is not dried completely, it can crack, break or have bubbles on the surface while firing.

We don't recommend fast drying for large pieces, as it may cause cracks. For these, it is recommended to leave them in room temperature for a few hours and then continue drying at moderate temperatures.

Dry Stage

Whilst the dried Prometheus white bronze clay is strong, you still need to take some care when working with it. You can carve designs on the surface, file it, grind it, drill holes with hand tools or rotary tools and engravers. To join dried pieces, wet the joining points with a brush and apply some paste. After completing your design, it is easy to sand uneven surfaces, using sand papers, and sanding sponges. It is a lot easier to do this step now--before you have fired the clay!

Firing Prometheus White Bronze Clay

This is a 2-step-method.

Place the dried piece (or pieces) on a stainless steel mesh and put it into the pre-heated kiln at 500°C/932°F, or on a kitchen stove. Fire it for 15 minutes, take it on to a fireproof surface and let it cool down.

Put approximately 3cm of activated carbon to the bottom of a steel container. Place the pieces with at least 1.5cm space between each other and fill the container with activated carbon, close the lid and put it into the kiln at 770°C / 1420°F. Let the kiln raise to the target temperature again and fire it for 120 minutes. When the firing is completed, either leave it to cool down in the kiln or, carefully take it out and leave it on a heat isolated surface until it is cold enough to take your pieces out. You can combine PWB with PBC, PCC and fire with the same firing schedule. Please note that at this firing schedule, shrinkage of PCC is 9-10%, PWB 10-11% and PBC 13%.

Annealing

In order to maintain high strength and malleability, PWB needs annealing. Heat your pieces at 565°C (1050°F) on a stainless steel mesh for 5 minutes and quench in water.

Finishing Prometheus White Bronze Clay

Polish the piece with a burnisher, polishing papers, a tumbler or polishing motor. Using polishing compounds can give extra shine to your works.