Elements Air Lite FAQ

The term “Nano” is a measurement and not an object and is a direct and sole reference to the scale of the molecules in the specific material. One “nanometre” (nm) equals one millionth of a millimetre.

Examples of nano-materials in nature that exists without any human modification are the water repelling structures on a lotus leaf, a gecko’s ability to walk on glass, the UV protection in the edelweiss plant, anti reflective eyes of moths, and the fact that milk is nano-protein particles suspended in water.

Elements Air lite is composed of a preparation of silanes and modifies polysiloxanes at a nano scale.

***

Elements Air Lite is an commercial grade food safe advanced complete nano technology formulation silane and polysiloxane based solution coating system for unglazed ceramic surfaces.

Air Lite can be used on unglazed functional and non-functional surfaces as a final treatment to protect the underlying surface if there are fine cracks, but it will not penetrate or adhere to a glazed or non porous surface!

It can be used over underglazes that have been cured and fired to manufacturer’s specifications. It can also be used to seal fine leaks and cracks caused by wood firing.

 Air Lite can also be used to seal the fine cracks of crazed and crawled glazes. Using Elements Air Lite in this manner will prevent seepage and this will make the piece waterproof. 

It can be applied to all types of unglazed fired pieces including bisque ware, vitrified clay bodies and all alternative firing methods like pit, smoke, saggar barrel, naked raku etc. I have used it successfully on Obvara vases as well. It can also be used over unglazed post firing chemicals like soluble salts and chemicals like ferric chloride.

If you are going to use these chemicals on functional pieces, and you are not sure that it has all burned out at the temperatures you are firing, it is best to test for leaching first!

It has been certified as food safe to the stringent European(EU) and German (BSG 15) and US FDA standards.

It is a natural solution with antibacterial properties, and unlike a varnish does not form a film on the treated surface. It is a matt application and once dry and cured, forms a completely invisible layer on the surface.

Elements Air lite draws into the fired clay, and permeates and saturates the unglazed fired ceramic surface through capillary action on a nano particle level, and then self levels on the surface of the clay.

The nano-coating generates a hydrophobic (water repellant) and oleophobic (oil and fat repellant) properties without changing the natural look and features of the treated surface.

Elements Air Lite also protects treated ceramics surfaces from water ingress, pollution, algae and moss, efflorescence and staining.

The difference between Air and Air Lite is in the strength and composition.

Deciding on what strength of sealer you need and what the purpose of the ceramics piece will be, will lead you to making a decision between Air and Air Lite.

Elements Air is an industrial grade food safe nano coating made from  from Silicon Dioxide, a naturally occuring mineral.

Elements Air Lite is a commercial grade foodsafe nano coating primarily consisting of silanes and modified polysiloxanes.

Elements Air is an industrial strenght product and therefore suitable for ceramic pieces that need a lot of protection on a daily basis like restaurant ware or ceramics used as crockery on a daily basis.

Both products are food safe once cured.

Elements Air Lite is a commercial grade nano sealer more suited for ceramics vases, light fittings, decorative ware and sculptures.

In deciding which product is suitable to use for you application, please have a look at the “When to use” section on both the Air and Air Lite FAQ pages for more information.

Please see the section below on ‘How To Apply”  or the downloadable  “How to Guide” when visiting the shop.

It all depends on the technique you are using and what you want to achieve.

 If you are using a deep penetrative carbon technique like sagger, barrel or pit firing, both Elements Air and Elements Air lite will be sufficient to protect your unglazed ceramic pieces in giving it that final coating after firing. 

However, Elements Air is an industrial strength liquid and therefore recommended to be used if ultimate strength protection is necessary, for example crockery that is used on a daily basis.

Elements Air lite is a commercial strength liquid and is sufficient for ceramics pieces that is not used on a daily basis like sculptures, lights and vases. 

Both Elements Air and Elements Air lite leaves no noticeable residue or “look” on the surface. The ceramics surface looks completely natural after application and curing time. Both the products can also be used over glazes to seal seepage caused by crazing and hairline cracks.

If you are using a shallow penetrative carbon technique on any functional  ceramic ware like Obvara, or marks done with horse hair or other hair and feathers OR you want to use a light clay WITHOUT ANY GLAZE  for dinnerware,  that need extra protection against wear and tear or marks left by high staining foods, then you need to use ELEMENTS EARTH.

With shallow carbon techniques the fired clay body is typically not exposed to the burning carbon for a long time, and as a result does not penetrate deep into the clay. As I use high fired stoneware (1200 deg celsius) I  found that the Obvara signature started to wash out after a while. This started the search for a durable food safe sealer that I could use to protect my functional pieces.

If you want to use a light unglazed piece to eat from, Elements Earth will protect the surface against high staining foods like turmeric, hot oils and spices etc.

Elements Earth can leave a soft matt finish after the drying and curing time on the clay body.  

This product is perfect for sealing unglazed ceramics such as vases, planters, sculptures (indoor & outdoor) that will be used as decorative pieces that are not used on a daily basis and does not need heavy duty protection. It can be used on any type of clay. It can also be used over a glaze to waterproof where seeping of water occurs. For instance: A vase that was glazed on the inside but have hairline cracks that lets water seep through.

Once Elements Air Lite has dried, it will not affect the natural look and feel of the unglazed clay. 

Elements Air  Lite was not designed to be applied over a glaze as a method to protect the glaze, as it will not adhere to the surface. It can however be used on the unglazed area of a piece next to a glazed area to protect the unglazed section. It will not adversely affect the glazed section of your piece.

Although Elements Air Lite will not adhere to a glaze, it is extremely effective to seal crazing and hair line cracks in glaze on items such as vases that have been glazed, but seepage occurs when filling the vase with water.

If your piece contains glazed and unglazed sections, it is important that you clean the whole piece thoroughly after the recommended curing time, to remove all residu of the application on the glazed sections. This can be done with a soft cloth or sponge and a ph neutral cleaner.

Elements Air Lite can be used  on a Raku glaze to seal the cracks and crazes that cause seepage.

It also does not have the same properties as a resin, epoxy or a varnish that will keep under fired clay bodies that are inherently unstable together. It will therefore not be successful on an unstable surface that flakes, crumbles or is powdery in any way after a firing.

If your ware is low fired, it will make the surface water repellant and oleophobic, but it will not protect the pieces against chipping and scrapes, as the clay body is inherently weaker than a high fired clay body.

The success if this product is only as good as your pre-preparation of the surface of the piece and the fact that it needs to be completely dry and dirt/oil free before it is treated. Please see the section below on “How to Apply” and the downloadable “How to Apply” document in the Shop section.   

• Wash the vitrified unglazed surface with a soft soap. Dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge works well.
• Rinse well with clean water. From that point onward always handle the ceramic piece with gloves to prevent oil from your fingers to contaminate the surface. NOTE: only use powder free gloves.
• Let the piece dry properly over a few days. Any moisture still left in the clay will affect the application of AIR LITE
• Any type of brush can be used but it must be clean: a synthetic brush works well as it does not absorb any of the precious liquid: if any brush hairs stay behind when applying, wait until the surface is dry and wipe off with a soft cloth/soft sponge.
• Can be used with Elements Primer to increase the spread rate to reduce the layout cost. See the “How to” section on Elements Primer for instructions
• Shake well before use and decant a small amount of AIR LITE into a container, and start to brush the liquid on. Use a small amount to start with and keep applying until the surface does not absorb any more liquid
• Always close the main container when working to prevent the solvent carrier liquid to evaporate and to extend the shelf life of the product. The carrier in AIR LITE is a solvent and reacts with air, and will set with prolonged exposure.
• Set aside to cure. Touch dry in 60 minutes. To achieve full strength cure for 5-7 days.
• Any unused liquid should NOT be thrown back into the main container as it will contaminate the liquid in the main container and cause it to set.
• Brushes can be cleaned with turpentine, paraffin or xylene.
• SAFETY: ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES AND A MASK WHEN APPLYING THIS PRODUCT.
• ELEMENTS AIR LITE LEAVES THE UNGLAZED CLAY IN ITS NATURAL STATE WITH A SOFT SILKY FEEL TO THE SURFACE OF THE CLAY.

PLEASE SEE MY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT @elements_ceramics FOR SHORT CLIPS ON HOW TO APPLY THE PRODUCTS. ESPECIALLY THE BRUSH TO USE AND THE BRUSHING TECHNIQUE FOR AIR LITE (The technique is the same as for AIR)

Please see the downloadable “Quick How To” document in the shop section.