Is it okay to heat clay in the microwave?

P

Pennypacker

New member
Would it be alright to heat clay in the microwave to make it more malleable? I've got some Zaino clay that hasn't been used in a couple of years and, at this point, it's rather tough and difficult to reshape. I don't know enough about clay to say whether or not microwave radiation would have any adverse effects on it.



Thanks



I've reached double-digit post count :woohoo:
 
I think a better solution would be to put the clay inside a ziplock and put it in a bowl/glass of warm water for a few mins.
 
I usually run my clay under warm water before using. It softens it up so I can do the initial turning. I don't think water harms it because most clay lube is water based. I also mix my clay lube 50/50 with water per my sales rep's OK.
 
Pennypacker- I'd wonder about the microwave dehydrating the clay but I dunno if it'd really make a functional difference.



If mine's too cold/firm I wrap it in aluminum foil (or put it in a baggie, but it sticks more to plastic) and put it in my pocket while I'd doing the wheelwells and undercarriage. By the time I do the regular part of the wash it's warm and soft.
 
on top(not in) of plastic baggie; turn on your car; defroster on; set up on dash until soft.

In the summertime just leave in sun.
 
I never put mine in the microwave but I have a buddy who used to run a detail shop and he always put it in the microwave. He did it to clean it and I never asked why becuase he has some goofy ways and I stopped asking "why" a long time ago with him. LOL
 
Instead of using the microwave, I would either:



Put it in your pocket for a while (as Accumulator suggested)

Put it in foil and then in the oven at low temperature for a few mins.

Run it under hot water for a minute.



Those would all be heating the clay due to a higher surrounding temperature, rather than microwave radiation.
 
I either put in in the oven at say 50 degrees (C) for a few minutes, or leave it in my wash solution bucket (which is always filled with warm water) while I'm washing the car.



Ben
 
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