Do you have a different suggestion? No wonder they wear through! As I mentioned above in the article you can color white polymer clay before you bake it. If it has dried and is not sticky now, then it will likely be just fine. All tutorial purchases come with full customer support by email. The drawback is that it’s linseed oil based and will therefore be yellow. Anytime you use any surface treatment, it will have limited durability. If you use waterbased colors (acrylics for example) leave the clay out in the open for 24 hours to give the water a chance to evaporate before baking it. Just take your project out on the porch, spray it real quick, come back in and you’re done. -Sev. High Viscosity Paint Is Great For Clay Sculptures! Learn how to avoid annoying bubbles or brittle clay, coloring clay correctly, and learn how to paint polymer clay in a way, that the color will hold for a very long time and how to seal it, so that the color is waterproof. You can either make them yourself by mixing a few drops of fabric dye in a cup of high percent rubbing alcohol or you can buy them straight from a crafts store. I love how thorough you are. Oil-based varnish can work well with polymer clay. Allow to settle and level, then bake. Your idea is great. I strongly recommend this not be used as a polymer clay glaze, sealer, or varnish. You may change the paper a few times and repeat the process until the … While you can apply resin to curved pieces, it is an advanced technique, so I only recommend applying resin to flat pieces until you have a really good feel for how to use it. Epoxy resin consists of two parts, part A and part B, which are mixed in equal portions. Mod Podge is a decoupage medium that paper crafters use as a “sealer”. I found that each product behaved differently on each brand of clay. You then take it out, let it cool, and voila! If you want a shiny, smooth polymer clay surface, this eBook will get you there. Trust me on this. I imagine I could do with a few extra coats. This is why some varnishes, glazes, and sealers work beautifully on wood and paper but become soft or sticky when used on polymer clay. To take a crayon, that has the color of your choosing, and use an Exacto knife or something similar to carefully shave some of the crayon of. Apply a thin layer with a clean soft brush. Some brands get sticky on polymer clay. If you are not sure which kind of polymer clay to choose then check my article out where I tell you exactly how to pick the right kind of clay for your project. Once mixed, a chemical reaction begins and the resin gradually hardens. There's some that you can actually just let it air dry and it hardens. But water can get under them and lift them. Depending on the resins included, some brands of polyurethane can be softened by the plasticizers in your polymer clay. They’re still sticky. Really appreciate it. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_19',121,'0','0'])); Lastly, let the alcohol evaporate before baking the clay. A common variant of this embossing powder is called Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE). After baking, you will need to use a heat gun to make the thin layer of clay crystal clear and shiny. I wouldn´t use food color to color Polymer Clay mainly because of the sugar and syrup, that most food color has in it. For example, Varathane‘s resin is an acrylic modified urethane. There are three types of clear-coat resins as follows. My husband calls it cheap, I call it really cheap. The clay remains soft and malleable until it is cured at high temperatures, at which point it hardens into a slick material with a texture similar to ceramics. However, this powders where applied after the fact (quiet a bit before in the molds)?? Hi I just recently did a project with Polymer clay. To save costs, they may also contain vinyl acrylic, vinyl stearate, vinyl acetate, polyurethane, or even poly-vinyl acetate (PVA, such as in white glue). I’m flustered over finishes at the moment. When you apply mica powders, chalks, glitter, or metal leaf to the surface of your polymer clay project, it will need to be protected if the item is subject to wear. You can see which of them scored well, and which got sticky or peeled off. When the clay is close to room temperature, then all the water is evaporated and you can bake it.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'craftknights_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',126,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'craftknights_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',126,'0','1'])); Yes, you can. But Mod Podge does not make a good polymer clay glaze or varnish. It is available in glossy, satin, and matte versions. On something like polymer clay figurines, this is critical. So the distinction between these two categories is more one of marketing than chemistry. It really does need the high heat of a heat gun. Matte varnish will give your polymer clay pieces a natural looking finish. You won’t commonly see polyester resin used in the craft world as it’s pretty noxious. To use as a varnish, apply to the clay in a thin coating. Well, it depends. I make baked polymer clay babies for a prolife group. It works best on structured surfaces, because the pigments of the “glaze” will settle down in the little grooves. I’m hoping to create small custom shapes (sea grasses, starfish, turtle) as accents in an upcoming bathroom shower project. It can be poured on the surface of flat polymer clay and left to dry. Excellent information and special praise to the editor. It’s not very flexible and will readily flake off baked polymer clay. Clayologie™ Polymer Clay Glaze is a premium water-based product used to create a durable and polished finish. It is also easily scratched. It takes about 24-36 hours to fully harden. 🙂. The longer you leach it, the more of the clay’s plasticizer will leach into the paper and out of the clay. Sculpey Glaze Satin, Smoothing and finishing medium for jewelry and accessories with polymer clay Sculpey, Fimo, Pardo, Cernit, Kato & Metal PolymerClayLatvia 5 out of 5 stars (20) $ 11.90 Favorite Thank you. They are very high quality while still being affordable.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'craftknights_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',124,'0','0'])); The last and my very least favorite method for coloring polymer clay is using acrylic paint or generally water-based color. All polymer clay brands are different too. The short answer is there are several ways. You can read more about the process here on Toni’s site. coloring polymer clay is using acrylic paint. Best for: Sealing surface treatments, especially mica powders. I’m adding this as a catch-all category because there are some glues that can be used as a polymer clay glaze, sealer, or varnish. Of course, it might not give you the look you’re after. Best for: Sealing surface treatments, creating a glossy effect, and enriching translucent projects. The surface will be extremely glossy and can’t be easily peeled or lifted from a project. Does that help? While polyme… Cyanoacrylate is also known as superglue. When done well, a sanded and buffed smooth polymer clay surface is considered by many to be the best finish. Polymer clay artists often use acrylic paint to color and embellish their projects. You only need to seal and protect what you put ON the surface of your polymer clay project. Surface effects like gilders paste and mica powder … Do you have any advice? Paints (and the supplies that go with it) are another must have for most polymer clay artists. I’m testing the above four brands and three of them are already failing. Common brands of this resin are Envirotex Lite, Amazing Clear Cast, Little Windows, and ICE Resin. And I share my knowledge and my experience on this blog with you so that you can become a maker yourself. It can’t handle flexing repeatedly, but it should handle being dropped quite well. Glad it was helpful! maybe I should have used another medium, I D K? The artist recommended fixing it with a little Mod Podge. Without seeing the piece, I can’t guarantee that any repair will hold because the piece just might be structurally unsound rather than merely a breakage issue. It works best on structured surfaces, because the pigments of the “glaze” will settle down in the little grooves. It will be just slightly less shiny than Liquid Kato. You will use a lot of paper towels with resin projects. Artist is in another country and there is no time to send it back for repair. Varnishes and dimensional glazes have high failure rates when used on polymer clay.Â. You can use acrylic paints before baking OR after baking your clay. It’s used similarly to an epoxy resin, except that you use a large volume of resin (part A) and a small volume of hardener (part B). Keep on repeating this process until the clay has the right color for you. I don’t recommend UTEE for glazing and varnishing purposes with polymer clay because it isn’t very durable. Sculpey® Gloss Glaze. Always stir these containers before use as the matting agent can settle in the bottom, leaving just the glossy varnish at the top of the bottle. If you want to know how to get an absolutely perfect shine on polymer clay with sanding and buffing, with minimal effort, I recommend that you check out my Sanding and Buffing eBook. Mod Podge is a variety of thinned white PVA glue, similar to Elmer’s glue. Can you sell them as housewares designed for use with food? It’s free! Best for: Deepening and enriching dark colors, giving a warm sheen to smooth clay. But sadly, very few brands of spray varnish will work with polymer clay. It can turn cloudy over time. I have found that polymer clay should work fine, but I haven’t been able to find any advice as to whether painted clay should be sealed, or whether the acrylic paint would be secure. I do not believe that will hold. If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time, you know that I’m a huge fan of bootstrapping it. Keep checking until the clay’s the consistency that you want. So use alcohol-based color, coloring pigments, crayon shavings or fabric dyes. MOST of them will be softened by the plasticizer in polymer clay and stay sticky. So you could color your clay by using the refillers from Copic. After reading this article, you will know how to paint and color polymer clay the right way. It is archival. Matting agents are particles that dull the shine of the varnish. This will depend on the brands involved and the conditions they’re exposed to. You just have to make sure, that depending on the way, that you color the clay, no alcohol or water rests are within the clay. More tips, more information, more interesting stuff that will help your polymer journey. If they’re really goopy, though, you can remove the varnish with strong isopropyl alcohol. Smoothly sanded polymer clay is a tactile pleasure that you can’t help but rub between your fingers because it just feels so nice. It’s a common misnomer that painted polymer clay needs to be sealed. Or is my idea totally crazy? I like to think of waxes as being a surface treatment themselves and not a protectant. Polymer clay is not safe to come in contact with food. As I mentioned above, this is probably my favorite way to color Polymer Clay. Why does a sculpture need to be protected from wear? Based on the info above, I’m thinking a brush-on uv resin might be my best bet, but I didn’t see anything specifically related to waterproofing, unless I missed it? Does acrylic paint need to be sealed? It will not make a project stronger or protect against breakage. I’ve separated the polyurethane varnishes because they are marketed differently. An air-drying, water-thinnable acrylic glaze for coating all baked Sculpey products. I got a lot of requests on how I make them. No fluff. Dimensional glazes can be applied with a brush and used as glaze or varnish. Resin coatings are quite thick and syrupy and can be frustrating and messy to use. Knead the clay every know and then. Compatible with acrylic-water based finishes. Read about using resin with polymer clay here. Can this issue be remedied? If you properly buff smooth polymer clay with a high speed buffer, you can get a finish that is just as smooth and glossy as resin or glass. Some are off-white. Other varnishes can be sticky, though, so always test a new varnish with the clay you’re using. Acrylic color and other water-based colors can be used as well but the water within these colors has to evaporate from the clay before you bake it. When you want to use pigments to color your polymer clay, then I would recommend using Gamblin Artist´s Grade Pigments. When you are satisfied with the color, leave the clay out in the open so that the water can evaporate.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'craftknights_com-leader-4','ezslot_17',125,'0','0'])); Water takes much much longer to evaporate than alcohol, so let your clay dry for at least 2 or even 3 days. I recently did a project with cheap modelling clay that dries on its own. How can I seal this. I know epoxy resin would likely work, but I’ve the work’s intricate nature, that frightens the crap out of me. Can have a magnifying effect, giving deep dimension to glittery and mica covered projects. You can use alcohol-based colors, powder pigments or crayon shavings to color your polymer clay. You will not get a glossy shine with a wax. HOMEMADE Polymer Clay Glossy Glaze (same as sculpy - YouTube Thank you for all you do! But that’s a legal designation, not a practical one. I’m not sure if the paint or any varnish will hold up in water. Common brands are Diamond Glaze, Triple Thick, Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, Aleene’s Jewelry Pendant Gel, and Glossy Accents. By the same token, many acrylic varnishes contain urethane as part of their resin makeup. Of the three main brands of liquid polymer clay, Fimo Liquid is the only one that will remain fairly clear when cured in a thick layer. Acrylic paint doesn’t need to be sealed…it’s plastic. To use as a varnish, apply a very thin coat with your finger or a brush. Most polymer clay glazes, sealers, varnishes, or clear coatings can become sticky, peel easily, turn cloudy, or crack. You may have seen these liquids used to fill pendant bezels. Can you use Fimo on Sculpey and vice versa, for example? After drying, if it dries at all, it can stay sticky in high humidity applications. But it works very well with polymer clay as well. Polymer clay itself does not need to be sealed the way that wood or paper does. They can be quite expensive, depending on the color, that you want to use. The info here is wonderful. This stand-by, also called TLS, is similar to the other liquid clays and can also be used as a glue and thinner. Likewise there’s no need to seal polymer clay. Intro: Hey, everyone, I'm super pleased to be back with another sculpture tutorial. It is naturally waterproof. But skip the resin. Resin is lovely on sparkly or mica covered projects as it will intensify the sparkle. I have a wall mural with a blue heron as a centerpiece for the main shower wall and want to play off that with more texture and dimension – and polymer clay shapes came to mind. It can build up and attract dirt. You can read more about sealing here: https://thebluebottletree.com/seal-polymer-clay/. Available in a multitude of colors, including glow-in-the-dark, metallics and granite , polymer clay is a versatile material that will retain its color and size after the baking process. Resin is a rewarding finish, but it has a huge learning curve and your first few projects will likely incur a few tears and swear words. Plus, it’s free. It will also enrich the appearance of materials such as tortoise-shell or ivory. But the surface treatments you apply to polymer clay DO need to be sealed if the item will be subjected to wear. If the clay is significantly colder than its surroundings then water is still evaporating. I am in a pickle trying to repair something for a friend that was custom made. Embossing powder is a wax-like powder that is traditionally applied to a design on paper, then melted with a heat gun to create a raised, “embossed” design. UTEE can be used to coat polymer clay projects, giving a thick, clear surface like resin. A heat gun will make it more shiny, but it won’t be as shiny as Kato Liquid. So to make sure, that no rest alcohol is inside the clay when you bake it simply leave the clay out for 3 or 5 hours depending on how much clay you colored. The clear gloss glaze will make polymer clay beads shine. Polymer clay sealants only become necessary when you use other mixed media in addition to polymer clay. Renaissance Wax does a lovely job enriching a smooth polymer clay surface. It is a Poly clay baked wedding cake topper and the bottom that supports the figures broke in transit. Wait just a minute for the brush strokes to settle, then cure under a light. Best for: Encasing inclusions, sealing surface treatments. But it can still be messy. No matter what type of things you like to make with polymer clay, sooner or later the question of sealers comes up. And i incorporate metal bits, genuine stones and cz rinestones. Paint will often bond better to polymer clay if applied to raw polymer clay and then baked together. Epoxy resin will not cure fully if the mixture is incorrect or if the mixture is not fully mixed before pouring. I prefer acrylic paints and in many cases "heavy body" acrylic paints, but any type of acrylic paint is safe to use directly on polymer clay. If the clay is not colored intensely enough for your purposes, then add e few more drops and knead the clay again. To leach clay, you just sandwich sheets of it between plain paper and then put a book on it for a few hours. Paint COLOR Liquid Polyclay can be used as paint on polymer clay pieces, glass, metal cans, jewelry, mirrors, etc. That’s not exactly true. How to Paint Clay. I am understanding in your article its not typically required to seal it after baking and curing. We would never think of varnishing or sealing a beach ball to protect it, right? Can You Color White Polymer Clay Before Baking? This will cause the clay to be more firm. But that doesn’t mean it’s a superior protective coating for all purposes. So I don’t hold much hope for using dimensional glazes with polymer clay. A few years ago I started playing with the clay as a way to … Acrylic varnishes contain acrylic polymer emulsion, which is an acrylic resin suspended in water. It is white and dries clear. All dimensional glazes are glossy – there are not matte versions available. Adds a durable seal or finish to baked clay items. I’m currently sculpting decent size sculptures and then painting acrylic afterwards. They are heavy with tiny details. Resins are quite hard after curing, and are crystal clear. Brush strokes can be an issue with this category of finish. Little things like eyes, hair, lips, etc., all demand attention to detail so it is important that you choose a good kind of paint that provides good coverage and a smooth workflow. It is a high quality microcrystalline wax used to coat metals against corrosion and tarnish. Another way to get color in powder form is straight out buying color pigments from an art and crafts store. Just brush them on. Both are great for coloring Polymer Clay and they both cost pretty much the same.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'craftknights_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',120,'0','0'])); The link, that I provided above and all other Links, that I provide in this article are affiliate links. It appears that it was sealed with Mod Podge and I do not want the glue to be incompatible. Just as with acrylic varnishes, polyurethane is a water-based brush-on varnish and is glossy by nature. I am thinking of using an epoxy and also adding some type of support material to the bottom for stability since it is so thin and could break again. They will be used on a bathroom sink so they could often get occasionally splashed with water. This will work sort of like wetting a beach pebble and can enrich a dark clay surface. Because UV resins cure before they can run off your piece, they can be used on curved surfaces. Best for: Thick, glossy coatings. 🙁. To make your clay project less shiny, you could apply a matte varnish. You can read more about these liquid clays in my article on using them as a clearcoat here. Interestingly, UV resins are also used as clear-coats for automotive use as well. There are safer ways to color polymer clay, like using colored pigment or alcohol-based color. As far as durability goes, I have everything else down pat. You don´t have to worry about any water or alcohol being trapped inside the clay, that could ruin your work and coloring your clay with dry colors will often give you a much more vibrant color than with the other methods.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'craftknights_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',123,'0','0'])); You can get Color in Powder form in various ways. The heat-dry products all covered the clay quite well, except some pulled away from Kato. Don’t use any sealer. Any other i can use that’s not sticky please. Water left on the surface will turn white and the Mod Podge will soften. This product is essential to create a durable stain-resistant layer on cutlery and crockery. In addition, most varnishes are not as hard on polymer clay as they would be on wood due to chemical interactions. It is very difficult to apply without obvious brush strokes. If you’re new to UV resin, this is a great way to get started. Polymer clay is a type of oven-bake modeling clay composed of resins, polymers, fillers and coloring agents. I’ve not used this since I was a kid and helped my dad repair a fiberglass tank, so I’m only mentioning it here as an FYI. In fact, it’s quite difficult to get this kind of flawless glossy surface with varnishes or glazes. Baking it in the oven at normal clay-curing temperatures will result in a cloudy finish. Thank you so much, this little post answered EVERYTHING I needed to find out in one place, what a great help, I have subbed thanks again. You can read about it here: Varathane. Sprays also work nicely to apply a varnish coating onto textured surfaces. Best for: Not recommended as a polymer clay glaze, sealer, or varnish. It doesn’t, unless it will be handled extensively and in that case I’d recommend a varnish called Varathane. Use what works on what works. The fourth is holding up well, so far, but it’s also the one that my readers tell me is the worst. Hi can I ask, I am making bauble with Sculpey III just to use it up, I would like toco er it with glitter and I thought of using mod Podgorica and then pour glitter over. Formula # 35*3597. Unbuffed, a sanded finish will be completely matte. If the clay is not colored intensely enough for your purposes, then add e few more drops and knead the clay again. Pretty sure it’s the same thing as Future and Klear. Get extra tutorials and tips that aren’t on the website. In general, the basic procedure is to chop up the clay in tiny bits (with a blade, crumble it up, or use an old thrift store food processor). I regret doing so as the clay now looks yellow. Neutral shoe polish and paste wax both work nicely on polymer clay to create a warm, enhancing sheen. Using alcohol-based colors is a good way to color polymer clay but the best way and the method I would suggest is using colors in dry or powder form. Just apply to your project, wait for it to level, remove bubbles, and cure. Varnishes are inherently glossy, but can be made to have a satin, semi-gloss, or matte finish by using matting agents. tested 41 different glazes, sealers, and varnishes on five different brands of clay. It’s best to use a soft brush and apply several thin coats. I’ve kept them though I don’t hang them on the tree every year because of this. If you mean this one, it has a code on the label that’s the same as the one that I’ve tested as Pledge Floor Care and is indistinguishable from Future. I’ve been working with polymer clay for decades, and I still refer to her free articles and ebooks all the time. So you could end up with a brittle sculpture, that didn´t harden correctly or your Polymer Project could start to get bubbles on the surface because of the water, that is being bound by the sugar. I discuss the types of sandpaper, kinds of buffers, using tumbling machines, Dremel, varnishes, and even whether you even need to sand at all. Because waxes apply as a microscopically thin layer to polymer clay, they will do nothing to protect mica powder, glitter, paint, or metal leaf from wear or abrasion, and can even remove them. How to Color Polymer Clay: The Very Best Methods. Paint used to antique a textured surface is mostly rubbed off and the remaining paint is fairly well protected down in the “nooks and crannies” of … Most food color has sugar, water, and other substances in it, that can hinder the hardening process of the polymer clay in the oven. Ideally, it will look like colored sand. The short answer is, any waterbased paint will be fine but acrylic paint is the easiest and best paint for polymer clay. The clay is ready to be baked once all the alcohol has evaporated. Brand new on the market, Clear Liquid Sculpey is similar to Kato Liquid Polyclay in that it can give a perfectly clear coating when it’s clarified with a heat gun. Use only a 5 or 6 drops and then knead the clay with the color until the color is evenly spread throughout the clay. Teresa Pandora Salgado sells kits which include a really nice resin and a big fat brush for applying her DeepShine Resin, read more about these liquid clays in my article on using them as a clearcoat here, read more about the process here on Toni’s site, Here’s where you learn more about the Sanding and Buffing eBook, https://thebluebottletree.com/painting-polymer-clay/, https://thebluebottletree.com/seal-polymer-clay/, https://thebluebottletree.com/testing-polymer-clay-sealers/. It can be effectively used as a varnish, however, by using a cosmetic sponge to dab the TLS onto your clay surface. And yes, some varieties of CA are specifically used to create a tough, durable, and clear surface coating. Here’s where you learn more about the Sanding and Buffing eBook. Deepen the colours of the polymer clay you’ve used, leaving you with colours that are more saturated. PYM is not glossy or matte, rather, it’s sort of a semi-gloss finish. Hi. This sugar can hinder the chemical process of the hardening that Polymer Clay is going through once it is heated to the right temperature. Try to avoid adding too much of this paint to the clay because the more water gets entrapped within the clay the harder it will be getting rid of it. It is highly intricate, and made of super sculpey and I intend to paint it with acrylics, but I can’t for the life of me figure what sealant to use. Period. This includes artists’ varnishes, wood varnishes, glazes sold by the clay manufacturers themselves, and even floor finishes. Generally, we use a gel superglue rather than epoxy. But it’s something I want to explore further at some point. If you have a clay object you made yourself, fire it in the kiln to make it hard but still porous before you glaze. Note that light dustings of chalk or mica, such as rosy cheeks on a sculpture, do not need to be sealed. So. On the other hand, if you use oil-based polyurethane, it is naturally slightly yellow (because it’s made with linseed oil) and that’s likely the cause of the yellowing rather than the baking. You can then paint the piece or leave it as is if you purchased a specific color. What would be the best product to get to protect the paint from wear? I keep a cheap baking sheet I picked up to bake directly on; however, I would still use one of these under the Sculpey mat if you're using one. There are other waxes which work just as well. Afterward, thin layers will be invisible, but the surface will be matte. Can You Color Polymer Clay With Food Coloring? I very much strive to create an end result that resembles it’s poly clay self as little as is possible. It's inexpensive, easy to find, and can be molded into anything you can dream of. So now that I purchased my own polymer clay, I decided to make one of those cool, modern knots. I used Pearl ex metalic finish dust to make it look metalic however there were some area’s where I had to re-dust later after the bakeing and I want to seal that into the piece. I have made them with white clay, with a moderately deep imprint and will be adding color with acrylic paint. What would you recommend? I am going to be sharing with you guys my tips on how to paint polymer clay sculptures. Place a book as a weight on top of the sheets of paper. Maintain the texture you’ve created with the polymer clay. I have heard that there are some food-safe resins. To avoid nasty bubbles when baking the polymer clay try to avoid leaving any water inside the clay. Can you, personally, for personal use, use a food-safe resin on your polymer bowl? Matte version are created by including matting agents. https://thebluebottletree.com/testing-polymer-clay-sealers/. Because a lathe is typically used, it’s beyond the scope for most routine polymer creations. I’m an experienced home improvement person along with being an artist so this seemed like a good way to make boring subway tile turn out as a custom project. To other readers – you’ve got to buy an ebook or 2, 3, 4…she truly is the best at explaining and instructing In an easy, fun way. Some people chose to use rollers they already have or a glass jar to roll out the polymer clay or use kitchen knives to cut the clay. You can also permanently protect your sculpted ornaments, figurines and dolls by brushing the glaze onto your cooled pieces. After about an hour, the paper surfaces will begin to look oily. Once you've allowed your clay to cure completely, Sculpey® Gloss Glaze can be brushed onto the cooled piece. Can I add a thin coat of liquid polymer over the pieces to re-seal them, over the dried oil-based sealant, to prevent stickiness? Craftknights.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Because no liquid is trapped within the clay. There’s no comparison to a really well sanded and buffed clay piece. If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed this past year danger noodles were a huge hit and kind of dominated my feed. Polymer clay itself does not need to be sealed. I would like your opinion on which new ones would be best for me to purchase and try. If you put the clay in the oven before most of the alcohol or water is gone from the clay, you may have problems with bubbles appearing on the surface of the clay or the clay might even become brittle. Read about my experiments with spray sealers here. Helmar Crystal Kote Matte is another spray varnish that works well with polymer clay. Resin is self-leveling, which means that you need to let it sit for a while so that the surface becomes even. But they are useful for many projects and you can go a long way with just a small amount. It’s really hard to say. Many clayers report excellent results by adding in small amounts of Fimo Mix Quick, Sculpey Mold Maker, or a very soft translucent polymer clay. The only reason this matters is that some of these plastic resins are softened by the plasticizers in polymer clay. Hi, I would like to make a clay product that can withstand dropping over and over again. Polymer clay, when cured, is vinyl – similar to a kiddie pool, tablecloth on your deck table, or beach ball. Keep on repeating this process until the clay has the right color for you. Liquid clays have the advantage of always being 100% compatible with polymer clay and will not result in stickiness. There are three main well-known brands of liquid polymer clay. I use a polyurethane spray varnish right now. Remember that under-baking is a huge common issue: the thicker your pieces are the longer they will need. If you’ve ever had gel nails applied, you’re familiar with the technology here. Bubbles can be a problem, but you can usually pop them by waving a heat gun over the top. Thanks for such a thorough and informative article! It’s up to you. White clay will obviously be easier to color than clay, which already has a color. Allow to level, then bake. They are notorious for absorbing humidity and becoming cloudy over time. I am planning to make a snow globe using polymer clay for the figures, but am more comfortable with acrylic painting rather than trying to use various coloured clays. And just like honey dribbling off your biscuits (scones to you Brits), resin has an annoying way of running off the surface of your project and making a mess. Applying varnish to heavily textured projects can result in pooling and air bubbles. Ginger, So happy that I found your site, such wonderful information! But when it came to polymer clay, I was getting really frustrated with my DIY tools. Glaze or water-based acrylic paints may be applied after baking. Buff it a bit for a warm satin sheen. Varnishes are inherently glossy, but can be made to have a satin, semi-gloss, or matte finish by using matting agents. Will any resin make a piece of baked polymer clay food safe? This is THE BEST and most comprehensive polymer info thing I’ve ever come across. Sanding and buffing has a reputation for being difficult and can lead to painful fingertips, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I can’t thank you enough. If it was water-based polyurethane, baking again shouldn’t change the color. Renaissance Wax has persuasive marketing that’s convinced many people, including many polymer clay artists, that it’s an all-purpose protective material. I would use Loctite Gel Control to glue the pieces back together. The shapes would be set among cutouts in the wall tiles, thin set underneath and grouted in place. Just like wetting a beach pebble, a glaze or varnish can make clay appear brighter and/or more translucent. Sculpey® Gloss Glaze is a polymer clay medium specially formulated to add a smooth, glossy finish to your clay projects. If this article was helpful to you, then you can support me by using the links to buy materials. Adding a clear coating, glaze, or varnish will not make a polymer clay project more durable, waterproof, weatherproof, or heatproof. Just use polymer clay itself. If you have crayons at home, then definitely use this method! Your suspicions are correct and Mod Podge will not likely be a suitable repair. Polymer clay works beautifully in that situation. Sculpey Clay is a brand of oven-baked clay used to make decorations and figurines. you can get this starter set from Amazon. Yes, you can easily bake paint onto polymer clay in most cases. Soufflé generally had less streaking because it has a pebbled surface. Then take your white polymer clay and knead the crayon shavings in the clay. I have just started using this and love the shine. That being said the best way to color polymer clay is to either use alcohol-based colors or color in powder form.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'craftknights_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_11',118,'0','0'])); Alcohol-based colors are easy to come by. BUY HER EBOOK on SANDING AND BUFFING! Often, as in the case with Varathane, they won’t cure rock-hard, but it won’t be sticky either. Keep your clay and kitchen utensils separate! Therefore new polymer clayers sometimes advocate its use as a glaze, sealer and varnish as well. Common brands of this resin are Lisa Pavelka’s Magic Glos and UltraDome. Give a lovely gloss finish to your polymer clay creations with Sculpey® Gloss Glaze. Liquid clays are essentially polymer clay without the binders that turn it into a putty. You can sand, buff, and polish the clay itself (see below), or you can apply a glossy varnish. Sculpting With Polymer Clay: Polymer clay is wonderful stuff. So Simply put a few drops of undiluted water-based color on your clay and start kneading it until the color is evenly spread. If acrylic paint doesn´t stick to your polymer clay, then simply prepare the surface by rubbing it gently with rubbing alcohol. Apply to seal pigments and paints applied on polymer clay. However, I don’t recommend these due to poor performance on polymer clay. Then I use acrylic paint for hair and eyes. But it does not bake particularly clear. Thank you! But I find that my coating on relief points tends to wear off in short time, dulling and completely removing the metallic color underneath. Always apply resin after baking your polymer clay project. What would you recommend for a support material that can be glued on the bottom and go on a cake and is epoxy the best choice for gluing the pieces back together as I cannot drill any where to put in a support pin. It will take several days, but you’ll be left with a smooth, glossy, hard finish similar to resin. This allows it to absorb wet glaze, which will then create a protective waterproof finish when the ceramic is fired a second time. Love all the information! That being said, you might want to explore using resin. Then add some Sculpey Clay Softener, mineral or baby oil, or liquid polymer clay to it. How to seal polymer clay with a matte varnish. Just apply a thin coating, let dry for a few minutes, then buff with a cloth. So make sure that you avoid mixing water with polymer clay as good as you can. Also known as Kato Liquid or Kato Sauce, this liquid has the consistency and appearance of thinned white glue. The brand of clay you’re using will make a difference, and some clay-varnish combinations will give you a sticky finish. For this reason, you should always test your particular varnish with the clay you’re using before trusting it to a large or important project. Great on textured items where varnish would pool. These resins are very similar in function and application to the epoxy resins, but they cure within 5 minutes when exposed to UV light using a special lamp or a bright sunny day. When something is subject to a lot of wear, having anything on the surface will eventually wear through. i expected a POSSIBLE reply in a few days to week but I was shocked to have gotten such a fast response your freeakin aaaaahmmmaaaazun! Varnishes do not camouflage surface imperfections such as fingerprints, rather, they accentuate them. Wax can also change the appearance of surface treatments, such as paint, chalk, and mica powders. (Read about using resin with polymer clay here.) I use Kato brand clay, as i find it to be slightly more brittle than Cernit, but still very strong and has the slightly harder finish ideal for jewelry like items. Fimo Liquid used to be called Fimo Deco Gel. You can use a paint sponge to apply the glaze and avoid brush marks. You can also use liquid polymer clays as a glaze or sealer. Thank you, Ginger! Note that adding a glossy varnish can make translucent polymer clay seem more clear. Instead of using a brush, resins are usually poured on and the sticky liquid is spread on the surface with a toothpick or needle tool. Polymer clay can also be softened by mixing in a few drops of mineral oil or liquid clay. They have many uses, such as acting as a glue, a transfer medium, and a clay thinner. So it’ll be up to you as to whether or not you feel your project would benefit by adding a clearcoat over the top of them. This broad group of products are typically clear to milky white liquids. Allow the glaze to dry for one hour. They do not bake out.) But in the end, what I really want is a product I don’t have to touch up after a few weeks and that I can proudly ensure to my customers will last for a decent time, while of course still not requiring such a heavy coating that it fills in and blurs the finer details. But reading post on glues it might not be a good idea, can you recommend something else. Regardless, if you’d like to remove the varnish, you can use isopropyl alcohol to dissolve it. Just make it thick enough and bake it properly. The one thing you should really look out for is to not get any water mixed into the polymer clay.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',117,'0','0'])); If too much water is inside the polymer clay when you bake it then there will be either bubbles appearing on the surface of your clay or your clay may end up being very brittle. Apply to your clay, allow to settle, and then bake. One trick, that can help you to tell if there is still water evaporating is by putting your hand on the surface of the clay. If a shine is desired, when the clay has cooled, sand it with wet-dry sandpaper under running water, then buff it with a clean soft cloth. But please know that these varnishes still contain acrylic resins. So make sure to give the clay enough time out in the open before baking it. Because it’s acid-free, it doesn’t contain chemicals that can degrade artifacts. It will become clear during baking. I am not fond of using this class of products with polymer clay. Hi, I am a passionate maker and professional prop maker for the entertainment industry. If you are using water-based (like Acrylic paint) or alcohol-based paint you have to let the clay sit, so that the alcohol or water can evaporate.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'craftknights_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',127,'0','0'])); As I mentioned above, depending on the kind of paint, that you are using you have to leave the clay out for quite some time, so that water or alcohol, can evaporate. Properly baked polymer clay is quite durable. Do the fun things you like to make out of clay include figurines? Try to make the pieces, that you shave off, as small as possible. It is a comprehensive 120 page guide that explains everything I know about sanding and buffing. I would like to know if there is anything that comes to mind that can keep it from breaking eventually? Yes, you can but depending on the kind of paint you may have to let the clay sit in the open for a couple of days before you can bake it safely. After Painting Seal … Once dried, most will form a stretchy plastic film over your work. It is possible to color your clay with water-based color but you have to be quite careful when coloring your clay this way. Yes, but depending on the polymer clay, that you are using it might not work. You will not pay more than normal and I will get a small commission for each sale. All varnishes are merely a thin layer of plastic. This is because when water evaporates it cools down the surface of the clay. I would use a clay-compatible varnish for this. They can be quite expensive though. Learn how your comment data is processed. I am trying to make a snow globe for my niece. I used polyurethane on white clay, and thought it would be a good idea to cure the piece for another 10 minutes or so. The same holds true for dots of paint and antiquing in the recessed areas of a design. They’re ornaments made of my then baby daughters foot prints. Sanding and buffing is hard to beat because there will never be any brush strokes, stickiness, cloudiness, or other chemical incompatibilities. how to pick the right kind of clay for your project. It means polymer clay can have a slick surface. Dipping them in resin was going to be my waterproofing solution, with the understanding that i would need to pay close attention to assure complete coverage since resin does run. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Hi. It’s not jewelry, surely? Fantastic information. But before you paint anything, you might want to read this: https://thebluebottletree.com/painting-polymer-clay/. Getting the ebook now. Secondly, coloring your clay properly. In this category, you’ll find artist’s acrylic varnishes, craft store varnishes, and polymer clay brand glazes. Could you recommend me a product? Thank you Ginger I will give the Loctite Gel a try! Instead, you’ll get a burnished sheen, but only when used on an already smooth surface. Wax applied to a textured surface will be white and unattractive. You will have to knead for a while until the color is evenly spread but you could bake the clay right away if you wanted. I would think you’d do well with of the varnishes that scored well for not scratching off. These varnishes are typically clear to off-white, can leave brush strokes, and dry clear and flexible. In fact, resin is terrible for this. I saw that lots of people had the same questions and wrote the answers all in one place to save everyone the trouble. It is a syrupy, runny, cloudy liquid. I’d like to put a clear coat on it to make it look more glossy and finished. There are other methods of coloring Polymer Clay, that are easier and safer. Adding a clear coating, glaze, or varnish will not make a polymer clay project more durable, waterproof, weatherproof, or heatproof. Take your pick from the ones listed in the article here: Testing 41 Polymer Clay Sealers. (Contrary to myth, plasticizers stay in polymer clay. Best for: Giving flat pieces a thick, glossy finish. It cannot be baked. Polymer clay is vinyl plastic and therefore does not need to be sealed. All the products I’ve tried that failed over the years… Ugh haha. But frankly, so does Vaseline, at a tiny fraction of the cost. A CA finish is what Ed Street uses to put a super-smooth finish on Toni Ransfield’s pens. For more information, go to the Customer Service page. It is vinyl. Multiple coats will give a more durable finish, but do let it dry between coats. None of the coatings recommended above will dissolve in water (aside from dimensional glazes). If you use a heat gun on cured TLS, it will become glossier, giving a satin finish. Nope. I sealed a few pieces with Minwax poly before realizing that it’s oil-based, not water-based–so now I’m worried about it getting sticky over time.