Frequently Asked Questions
What is Enamel?
What is the History of Enamel?
And, ...
Q. My enamelled cast iron bath is worn, damaged or I want to change to the colour. Where and how can I get my cast iron bath re-enamelled or are there any other options?
A. There are two options if your bath is just worn. The enamel feels rough to the touch and this tends to occur in the base of the bath.
You can have it re-enamelled. For this it must be removed and transported to a specialist re- enameller: Click for details of IVE Members who can re-enamel cast iron baths
OR You can have it re-polished. This can be done in situ and is a specialist operation:
Click for details of IVE Members who can re-polish cast iron baths
If your bath is chipped or you would like to change the colour, the only option which is available to you is to remove the bath and send it to a specialist company who will carry out the re-enamelling of your bath with genuine vitreous enamel:
Click for details of IVE Members who can re-enamel cast iron baths
Please be aware that there are many companies advertising and offering re-enamelling in-situ. This is not genuine vitreous enamel - it is a type of paint. The more reputable companies carrying out this service will describe it as "bath re-surfacing". It is a shorter-term solution, but cannot be as hard or durable as genuine vitreous enamel. These companies may also be able to carry out a cosmetic repair of chips.
Genuine Vitreous Enamel is a type of glass, which is fused at high temperatures to achieve its unique combination of hardness and durability, which is unmatched by other finishes.
Re-enamelling will involve shot blasting to remove the existing enamel, followed by specialist welding if there is any damage or heavy rusting, for example around the plug hole. It will then be coated with up to three layers of vitreous enamel. Each layer will be fused to the surface by heating in a furnace to a temperature above 750 degrees Centigrade. It is this genuine vitreous enamel finish which will give the durability and long life that your bath has given you until now.
Q.
My cast iron enamelled bath is dull, rough, stained or scratched - can
it be restored?
A. If your bath is made of cast iron, yes it can. A specialist operation
can be carried out involving grinding away the damaged surface and then
polishing the enamel to restore the original shine and colour. This process
is most successful on white, pastel and light colours. The stronger colours
such as burgundy, dark blue and dark brown will not re-polish successfully.
Even if you have minor chips in the enamel, these can be patched using
a specialist colour matched filler. (NOTE - this filler is NOT vitreous
enamel). Click for details
The earliest known enamelling was onto to silver and gold and dates earlier than 1000 BC. The high quality of workmanship on these artefacts is truly amazing. Many of the very earliest pieces are luckily preserved in churches and cathedrals, the screen behind the high altar at St. Marks in Venice having one of the finest collections in the world. Enamelled boxes, often referred to as Battersea ware, now fetch very high prices at auction.
One of most obvious historical uses is in signs, many of which are now collector’s items and are still as bright and clear as the day they first emerged from the furnace. Enamelled signage and panelling is still in wide use and is essential in fire hazardous areas such as underground railway stations as, by its very nature, it is completely non - flammable. You will probably know it best on your cooker or range, where it is the decorative and durable finish used on the hot areas of the outside and the interior. It provides a tough durable finish for high quality cooking implements such as casseroles, saucepans and meat tins. The high quality cast iron cookware produced by AGA and Le Creuset are all vitreous enamelled.
Enamelled cast iron baths are still the height of elegance and sheet steel baths offer a cost competitive and durable improvement on plastic or resin. Its corrosion resistance has led to its use in the chemical industry and in sewage treatment tanks and agricultural slurry storage tanks, and also agricultural silos, often blue or green, rising up from the farmland.Click for more information
Q. Are there any books about vitreous enamelling?
A. We have obtained all the stock of
a book published by Borax Europe. This is available free of charge -
all we ask you to do is to cover our postage and handling costs. Wratil,
Dr J (1984) Vitreous Enamels. Borax Europe Ltd, Guildford. This can be
ordered using the Publications Order
Form
Other information books on the subject of vitreous enamel are all believed
to be out of print at present. You may be able to obtain copies through
your local library. The most important ones are :
- Andrews, A.I. (1961) Porcelain Enamels. The Garrard Press, Champaign, Illinois, USA.
- Vargin, A.H. (1967) Technology of Enamels. Translated by Kenneth Shaw, McLaren & Sons Ltd, London.
- Maskall, K.A. (1986) Vitreous Enamelling: a guide to modern enamelling practice. Pergamon materials engineering practice series, Pergamon Press, London. ISBN 0-08-0334288 Hardcover ISBN 0-08-0334296 Flexicover
NEW
Warnke, H (2002) Electro Dip Enamelling - Basic and Industrial Applications, Heinrich Warnke, Wedekindring 67, D-33428 Marienfeld, Germany (Privately
published)
Also
still in print, if you are interested in the history of enamelling, particularly
aimed at the art market, there is a book in print.
Speel, Erika. (1997) Dictionary of Enamelling. Ashgate Publishing
Company, Aldershot, England & Brookfield, Vermont, USA. ISBN 1-85928-272-5
The Institute of Vitreous Enamellers publishes a quarterly journal ‘The Vitreous Enameller’ ( ISSN 0042-7519) which is the only periodical published in the English language wholly devoted to the science, technology and practice of vitreous enamel.
The Institute of Vitreous Enamellers has also published a major revision of its definitive work ‘Atlas of Enamel Defects’ (ISBN 0-9527119-0-7).
Details of all of the Institute of Vitreous Enamellers publications can be found on the Publications Order Form page.
Q. How can I get a piece of metal enamelled or re-enamelled?
A. Contact one of the specialist sub contract enamelling companies listed in our ‘Enamellers’ page. If you wish to discuss a particular problem, Ask Angela on 01543 450596.
Q. Can I repair a chip on a piece of enamel?
A. It is not possible to carry out a repair to vitreous enamel, except by specialists in the re-enamelling of already enamelled parts. Repair kits are available from the major do-it-yourself outlets, but these are only a paint which can never be as hard and durable as the original vitreous enamel. They will not withstand arduous use or the high temperatures which will be found in an appliance oven, grill or hotplate. However, they will often give a short term cosmetic repair in other areas, which may satisfy your needs. If you wish to have the part re-enamelled please contact one of the specialist sub-contract enamelling companies listed in our Re-Enamellers , Sub-Contract Enamellers, or look at Bath Polishing or ask Angela on 01543 450596 for some individual advice.
Q. Where can I buy some enamel?
A. If you are thinking that you will be able to re-enamel your bath or cooker then simply it isn’t possible. The application of vitreous enamel requires specialist equipment and must be fused at a temperature above 750 degrees Centigrade. Normal ‘industrial’ size industrial enamelling is thus outside the scope of home application. However, if you wish to try your hand at some DIY enamelling for copper jewellery there are some very simple kits available from craft shops or from W. G. Ball Ltd, Stoke on Trent. (Tel. 01782 312286 Fax. 01782 598148). Click www.wgball.com for more details
Q. Where can I learn something about vitreous enamel?
A. The
Institute of Vitreous Enamellers runs regular training courses, which
will teach you about vitreous enamel. You will find details of forthcoming
training in Annual Seminar and ‘Basic Approach Course’.
We also publish a quarterly journal ‘The Vitreous Enameller’
which is the only periodical which deals with the subject in the English
language. We also publish an ‘Atlas
of Enamel Defects’, which is a useful trouble shooting guide.
We have a free book available which will give you a general background
to the process.
There are more detailed books on the subject, but we believe them all
to be out of print at the moment. You may be able to obtain a copy on
loan from your local library. (See the answer to the FAQ "Are
there any books about vitreous enamelling?" )
Q. How can I contact a consultant with expertise in vitreous enamelling?
A. Ask Angela and she will help you find a consultant who is capable of dealing with your requirement.
Q. I have a problem with vitreous enamelling and need some help – can you help me?
A. Angela will try to help you or find someone who can.
Q. What should I use to clean my vitreous enamel?
A. Only use products which have been tested by the Vitreous Enamel Association and bear their approval logo. They are available from most supermarkets and retailers. Click for The VEA Approved Cleaners List
39 Sweetbriar Way
Heath Hayes
Cannock
Staffs, WS12 2US
T +44 (0)1543 450596
F +44 (0)8700 941237
Email: info@ive.org.uk
