General Processing Recommendations Working With The Clay Alien Clay™ is not self-supporting so an armature may need to be constructed for figurative work. Traditional wood, metal and silicone clay tools are recommended for working with the clay. Smoothing The Clay Surface Clay scrapers and rake tools are often used to initially make the clay surface uniform. Solvents such as naphtha, clear mineral spirits and turpentine are aggressive solvents which can be used to quickly soften and dissolve the surface of Alien Clay™. Citrus based solvents such as D-limonene can also be used but may cause inhibition when molding the clay using silicone rubber. 99% Isopropyl alcohol can be used to smooth the clay surface if a less aggressive solvent effect is desired. NOTE: If isopropyl myristate is used on the surface of Alien Clay™, the surface will remain soft, and it will not return to the original hardness. Making A Slip Or Slurry Solvents such as naphtha, clear mineral spirits and turpentine can also be used to dissolve the clay to a workable slip or slurry. This liquid solution can then be used to create texture effects, join clay together, and coat clay surfaces. Alien Clay Container – Preparing For Use TO MELT OR SOFTEN CLAY , REMOVE DIVIDER PAPER AND WARM CLAY WEDGE IN A DEDICATED HEAT SOURCE IN A CONTAINER ABLE TO WITHSTAND AT LEAST 104°C / 220°F Use hand protection when handling the hot container. Alien Clay™ can be cleaned off of tools and surfaces with naphtha or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Heating Equipment Options Temperature Controlled Crock Pots® Scientific/Laboratory Oven Hot Box With Conventional Temperature Monitor Warming Oven Dedicated For Clay Only (Do Not Use Home Oven) Microwaves Are NOT Recommended Due To Uneven Heating And Potential Burning. Softening The Clay Alien Clay™ is most often warmed to a temperature (Soft = 115°F/46°C; Medium = 115°F/46°C; Hard = 120°F/49°C) to soften it. When it returns to room temperature it also returns to the initial firmness. Troweling The Clay Alien Clay™ can also be heated to a state soft enough to be spread across a surface. (Soft = 135°F/57°C, Medium = 145°F/63°C; Hard = 155°F/68°C) As these temperatures are very hot and can cause burns, a metal trowel (or similar spreader) is needed to apply the hot clay safely. When troweling, a clay can be spread easily across a vertical armature surface with minimal to no slumping in a ¼ inch thickness (1.27 cm). Brushing The Clay Alien Clay™ at (Soft = 170°F/77°C; Medium = 180°F/82°C; Hard = 190°F/88°C) is considered the brushing temperature of the clay. This temperature produces a lower viscosity (thinner) clay, suitable for initial coating on armatures or other surfaces that can be applied with a brush. A small scale test against surfaces to check for suitability is always recommend. Liquefying The Clay Alien Clay™ can be liquefied and poured (Soft = 212°F/100°C; Medium = 212°F/100°C; Hard = 212°F/100°C). This method is utilized to make exact reproductions (called castings) of a form by pouring the liquefied clay into a mold; that can be further shaped and revised. Clay might experience separation of the base materials during the heating process. Periodically mixing the liquid clay during the process and before pouring will ensure uniformity of the clay. It is recommended that the mold be heated to 150°F/66°C prior to pouring liquefied clay into mold for best surface detail. Clean Up Alien Clay™ can be cleaned off of tools and surfaces with naphtha or 99% isopropyl alcohol.
