I'm on a bowl roll. Several people assumed I popped the bowl in the oven. No, no. A heat gun cures the thin veneers. The clay goes from shiny to dull as it cures. When it's hard and not spongy to the touch, my fingers know it's done. I usually give it a second or third firing. It will "pill" during sanding it it's not fully fired...and I'll have another go.