Wax Resist

What it is

Wax resist works by making a surface unwettable. Painted onto bisque, it dries to a thin waxy film that glaze simply will not stick to, so whatever is underneath stays unglazed. The most common use is the foot ring: wax the base, dip the whole pot, and the base stays clean and does not stick to the kiln shelf.

Beyond the foot, wax is a design tool. Painted in patterns on bisque and then dipped, it leaves unglazed lines and shapes that show the clay body through the glaze. Layered with a second glaze, it creates areas where one colour interrupts another. Wax also stops glaze creeping around the base of a pot and fusing it to a shelf.

Application needs a dedicated brush that never touches glaze — once wax contaminates a glaze brush, the brush repels glaze and is useless. Cleanup is with hot water or a little ammonia, and it must happen before the wax sets hard.

How to use it well

• Apply wax to a clean, dry bisque surface; wax on a dusty pot will not adhere properly.
• Wax the foot ring and 5 mm up the outside wall to stop glaze fusing the pot to the shelf.
• Let the wax dry fully before dipping — wet wax smears and leaves streaks.
• Paint a wax pattern, dip, then sponge the wax off the pattern edge for a soft, layered line.

Safety notes

• Hot wax burns — if you use a wax pot, keep it below 90 °C and never leave it unattended.
• Ammonia-based cleanup needs ventilation.
• Keep the wax brush separate and clearly labelled; contaminated glaze brushes are ruined.

Compatible materials

Clay bodies

• All bisque-fired bodies

Glazes & surface

• All glazes — wax repels any of them

Where it sits in the process

Applying, resisting and finishing the glaze surface.

Glazing  Glazing & Surface  Entry tier

Browse every tool in this stage from the Glazing & Surface category.