Magic water is a joining solution made from water, sodium silicate, and soda ash. It’s used in place of plain water when making joining slip or applying directly to clay surfaces before joining. The sodium silicate forms a hard, glass-like bond when dry that’s stronger than water-based slip alone — useful for tricky joins, pieces at different stages of dryness, or anywhere you need extra insurance.
What It Does
Sodium silicate (also called water glass) is made from silicon dioxide and sodium oxide. When it dries, it forms a hard glass-like layer that penetrates slightly into the surrounding clay. The soda ash helps dissolve into the water and carries the sodium silicate deeper into the clay surface. Together they create a bond that’s stronger and more flexible than plain slip — it helps the join survive the stress of uneven drying and the shock of bisque firing.
Magic water is especially useful when joining pieces that are at different moisture levels — one leather-hard and one softer, for example — where the risk of cracking at the join is higher.
The Recipe
- 1 gallon of water
- 3 tablespoons sodium silicate
- 1½ teaspoons soda ash
What You Need
- 1 gallon jug with a lid
- Small container for pre-dissolving
- Funnel
- Spatula or stirring stick
- Permanent marker to label the jug
Step-by-Step
1. Label the Jug First
Before adding anything, label the jug clearly — “Magic Water” plus the recipe. Write on the dry jug so the marker doesn’t smear. Magic water looks exactly like plain water and you don’t want to mistake it for something else.
2. Pre-Dissolve the Soda Ash
Add half a cup of water to your small container. Add the soda ash and stir until fully dissolved. Soda ash doesn’t dissolve well directly in a large volume of cold water — pre-dissolving in a small amount first ensures it distributes evenly.
3. Add the Sodium Silicate
Add the sodium silicate to the same small container and stir to combine with the soda ash solution.
4. Add to the Gallon Jug
Using a funnel, pour the mixture into the gallon jug. Fill the rest of the jug with water. Seal and shake well to combine fully.
How to Use It
Use magic water as the liquid when making joining slip instead of plain water, or apply it directly to scored clay surfaces with a brush before joining. It can also be brushed directly onto a crack in leather-hard greenware before pressing the crack closed.
- Tip: Magic water is not a substitute for proper slip and score technique. You still need to score both surfaces. Magic water makes the join stronger — it doesn’t replace the mechanical bond that scoring creates.
Storage
Keeps indefinitely in a sealed jug at room temperature. Shake before each use. Keep it clearly labeled and away from water jugs and other studio liquids.
