What is the best varnish to use on clay?

Can you put varnish on clay?

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.

What can I use to seal my clay?

Wax is the best polymer clay sealer to use if you want to perfectly maintain the texture of your work. If you've sanded and buffed your bead, the wax will give a wonderfully warm sheen. If you don't sand and buff, it will give a more matte finish.

What kind of varnish can use on polymer clay?

Matte varnish will give your polymer clay pieces a natural looking finish. It's a little less glossy than wax, sealing in your work with a thin layer while retaining the overall look of the piece.

Can I put varnish on polymer clay?

Polymer clay varnishes, or glazes, are a quick and easy way to seal polymer clay beads. The gloss varnishes give a nice, shiny finish and bring out the color in your work. Matte varnishes are the best way to keep a natural look to your polymer clay jewelry and still protect whatever surface effects you might have.

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Which varnish is best for air dry clay?

If you want to make your clay water-resistant I always recommend using either a clear polyurethane varnish or an acrylic sealer. Both of these create a non-porous transparent layer that seals your clay project. They can be brushed or sprayed on and usually come in either a matt, satin or gloss finish.

What do you put on clay so it won't crack?

Adding small amounts of water is crucial to prevent small cracks. To prevent the clay from drying out too quickly, mist the clay occasionally while modeling. Never oversaturate the clay with water. Don't get discouraged if you have a cracked air dry clay craft!

What is the difference between varnish and polyurethane?

While polyurethane is water- or oil-based plastic resin, varnish is older and made from resins, oils, and solvents. Because of the higher ratio of solids, varnish is less susceptible to ultraviolet light damage. This protection makes varnish an excellent choice for projects such as outside decks and exterior furniture.

How do you protect a clay sculpture?

My current favourite is Liquitex Satin or Matte varnish, but I recommend Golden MSA spray varnish for hard to brush pieces. Adding varnish helps ensure your hard work looks its best for a long time, and put bluntly: It's the easiest way to make your sculpture's surface look better.

How do you preserve air dry clay?

If stored properly, unused air dry clay should last indefinitely. We recommend wrapping the unused clay in plastic wrap or in a Ziploc bag, and then in another airtight container.

Why is my clay cracking when it dries?

Cracking is normal in air dry clays: it's caused by shrinkage because of the loss of the water inside the clay body. Cracking in air dry clay is typically caused by sculpting over an armature or using a lot of water, either to mix the clay or to help it adhere onto a previous layer.

How do you keep air dry clay from crumbling?

If you are using air dry clay and it starts getting hard before you are ready for it to dry out, you can simply add a little bit of water into a ziplock bag and place your clay inside. It may get too wet, but you can “dry it off” a bit with a paper towel or just allow it to sit out in the air again to dry a bit.

Is Mod Podge good for clay?

It's really easy to use Mod Podge and clay together (including polymer and air dry). Mod Podge is a great sealer for clay, which is what makes it so perfect for these charms/gift tags.

Can you use acrylic sealer on clay?

Mod Podge Gloss Clear Acrylic Sealer

It remained sticky on every brand of clay tested. It was, however, fairly scratch resistant on Fimo Professional, but since it's so sticky it can't be practically used.

How do you waterproof clay pottery?

Dip a paintbrush into exterior varnish or terra-cotta sealer and brush an even coat onto the inside of the terra-cotta pot. Allow it to dry, then apply another coat. Allow the sealer to dry completely.

Why is my paint peeling off clay?

Funnily enough, if your surface is too smooth, the paint will not adhere very well as it has nothing to "stick to", and runs the risk of peeling off much easier. This is especially important on very smooth clay bodies, like epoxy clay.

How do you preserve a polymer clay sculpture?

You don't need to store polymer clay in airtight containers, since it contains no water to evaporate. However, it should be wrapped or covered to prevent dust and lint from getting on it, and kept away from heat and sunlight. Be careful about storing polymer clay in plastic containers or plastic wrap.