Is your friend speaking from experience or just guessing? I warm my rods in the kiln for a minute before starting, and it NEVER muddies the colors. That extra step is CRUCIAL for avoiding cracks. My colors stay bright because I don't overheat them, just get them even. Honestly, a consistent heat is KEY for clean joins and vibrant color.

Ever notice how everyone's an expert until it's their problem, @theas28?

Ever take the car out just for fun?

My printer once ate a manual because I used the wrong paper type (now I double-check everything).