How do you make polymer clay smooth?

If the polymer clay has already been baked, you can easily remove the fingerprints and other imperfections. You will still use cotton buds in this method, but its new partner is acetone. The acetone will melt the clay to allow you to smooth the surface.

How do you make perfectly smooth clay?

Alcohol can be found at any local drug store and does a great job of smoothing out clay surfaces. Start by painting on the alcohol with a larger brush; this will allow you to cover more area. Then, when your sculpt is pretty well covered, get in those nooks and crannies with a smaller brush.

Can I use water to smooth polymer clay?

With other types of clay, you may need to keep adding water because they can dry out, but Sculpey polymer clay stays workable and soft so that you can focus on creating jewelry or perfecting your craft. In fact, you should not use water on Sculpey or with polymer clay, as it can make the clay brittle.

Can you use clear nail polish on polymer clay?

Nail polish, spray paint, and solvents will cause sticky polymer clay. For some reason, this polymer clay tip isn't well known. It seems like such a simple solution to use nail polish to accent your polymer clay creations. Or use clear nail polish as a glaze.

How do you make polymer clay glossy?

Polymer clay is not glossy after baking. You can sand, buff, and polish the clay itself (see below), or you can apply a glossy varnish. To make your clay project less shiny, you could apply a matte varnish. Note that adding a glossy varnish can make translucent polymer clay seem more clear.

How to easily smooth Polymer-Clay sculpts

Do you glaze polymer clay after baking?

After you bake your clay and allow it to cool, you can paint it, apply a glaze, add embellishments or leave it exactly as it is.

How do you make polymer clay look glazed?

An easy way to make a glaze for polymer clay is to water down PVA glue until you create a consistency like milk, and to apply it in thin layers to your design.

Can you smooth clay after it dries?

Wait for the clay to dry completely, gently sand it with super-fine sandpaper again and coat with water one more time. I usually do it just once and repeat only on the areas with still visible fluff.

How do you remove fingerprints from polymer clay before baking?

It happens to the best of us! Luckily, acetone works great for removing fingerprints from polymer clay. The acetone found in nail polish removers may not be strong enough for removing fingerprints. Your best bet would be to find 100% acetone in automotive finishing departments or even some paint stores.

What can I use to smooth Sculpey?

After the fingerprints have been removed using the rubbing alcohol, focus on smoothing the surface again. You can do this by dipping your finger in some cornstarch or baby powder, then lightly rubbing the clay with circular motions.

Can you use alcohol to smooth polymer clay?

Isopropyl alcohol can be used to remove dried varnish from brushes or baked polymer clay. Q-tips dipped in alcohol can smooth the surface of polymer clay before baking, removing lint and debris. Used in a spray bottle, it makes work space clean-up easier.

What can I use to gloss polymer clay?

Can you bake polymer clay twice?

As long as you're following the package instructions — and using an oven thermometer to maintain the proper temperature — you can bake polymer clay multiple times and complete a complicated piece in multiple steps.

Why is my polymer clay bendy?

If it is flexible, you know that you have baked your piece for long enough. If it snaps, put it back in the oven with your finished piece for another half an hour, and retest. You may also need to adjust your temperature.

Can I use Mod Podge to glaze polymer clay?

You'll Mod Podge on polymer clay (you can use air dry too), using it as a sealer after you press the leaf and paint. It's a very simple project; kids will love it too!

Do you have to sand polymer clay?

While sanding is essential to finishing polymer clay in most cases, you should be aware that most surface techniques won't take kindly to it. Ask yourself - if you scratch at a surface technique, is it likely to come off of the polymer clay? If so, you shouldn't sand that part of your bead.

How do you roll polymer clay without sticking?

Pop a piece of paper over the clay (just plain office paper will do) before you roll the clay out. This will stop the clay from sticking to the rolling pin. Another option is to use a sheet of baking paper (also known as greaseproof paper) and use your rolling pin on top of this.

Can you wet polymer clay?

As polymer clay is a waterproof oil based material it can get wet, either in it's baked or unbaked state. Water can however make the clay a little more brittle, if a design is submerged after baking. In other words don't take your polymer clay swimming, but a little exposure to rain should be fine.

How do you keep polymer clay flat when baking?

To prevent brown spots from oven spikes, tent your work with aluminum foil pans or an index card. To avoid flat spots on beads, bake them on quilt batting or a bead baking rack. You CAN bake your polymer clay more than once! This is a common practice for intricate pieces.