ZYP Primer & Shelf Paper

Kiln separators keep fused and slumped glass from sticking to shelves, molds, and dams during firing. This category collects the shelf papers, kiln wash, fiber paper, and boron nitride sprays that fusers reach for most: Bullseye ThinFire, Papyros, Fiberfrax, ZYP, Hotline Primo, and SilkeMat. Pick the separator that matches how you fire and what you fire on.

Bullseye ThinFire and Papyros Shelf Paper

Single-fire shelf papers lay flat on a clean shelf and burn off during the firing, leaving an even, matte underside on the glass and no kiln wash to scrape. Bullseye ThinFire is stocked in wide rolls, narrow rolls, and shorter narrow rolls to match standard shelf footprints, and Papyros Kiln Paper covers the same job with a slightly heavier sheet that handles larger pieces and longer holds.

Fiberfrax Ceramic Fiber Paper

Fiberfrax is a thicker ceramic fiber separator that you can cut, layer, and shape to build dams, channels, and texture under slumped or cast work. The 1/32 inch sheet works as a clean shelf liner for fusing, while the 1/8 inch sheet is heavy enough for raised relief, damming, and pot melts where you need a real barrier between glass and shelf.

ZYP and Hotline Primo Mold Release

ZYP Boron Nitride Mold Primer sprays a thin, dry release coat onto stainless, ceramic, and graphite molds so slumped and cast glass lets go without sticking or marking. ZYP Glass Release Spray serves the same role where glass contacts metal or fixturing directly. Hotline Primo is a brushable kiln wash and shelf primer formulated to release with far less scraping than ordinary kiln wash, which makes shelf prep faster between firings.

SilkeMat for Drape and Slump Work

SilkeMat is a flexible ceramic fiber mat used as a release and texture surface for draping, slumping, and free-form shaping. SilkeMat Lite is a thinner version for lower-profile work and lighter pieces, and SilkeMat Rigidizer stiffens the mat into a reusable form when you want a custom shape to hold across repeated firings.

Choosing the Right Separator

For a flat full fuse on a clean shelf, ThinFire or Papyros is often the simplest choice and can leave a cleaner underside than kiln wash. For dammed work, repeat firings, or anything that needs a thicker barrier, reach for Fiberfrax or SilkeMat. For molds and slump forms, ZYP sprays and Hotline Primo give a release coat that holds up at fusing and slumping temperatures. These separators can be used in COE90 and COE96 fusing projects when matched to the shelf, mold, temperature, and release surface you are using, and work in standard glass kilns.