Can polyurethane be used on polymer clay?
Just as with acrylic varnishes, polyurethane is a water-based brush-on varnish and is glossy by nature. Depending on the resins included, some brands of polyurethane can be softened by the plasticizers in your polymer clay. Often, as in the case with Varathane, they won’t cure rock-hard, but it won’t be sticky either.
Can you Varathane polymer clay?
Oil-based Varathane can work on polymer clay, but it takes a long time to dry (days) and gives a yellow cast. Varathane comes in half pint, quart, and gallon cans. It also comes in a spray. Sprays are always tricky, most of them aren’t polymer clay safe, so stick with the liquid in the can.
Can you use glaze on polymer clay?
Although you do not need to seal polymer clay with a glaze, a glaze can help make a project look complete. You can also use compatible floor waxes, water-based acrylics or water-based fabric paints as sealers. Before you add any glaze, we suggest sanding and buffing your piece first, then testing the glaze.
What can you seal polymer clay with?
You can use a Wax, Acrylic Sealer, Varnish or Liquid Epoxy. If you want a smooth finish, then use sandpaper and wax to seal your Polymer Clay and if you painted your clay, then you should seal it with an Acrylic Sealer or Varnish.
What do you put on polymer clay to make it shiny?
How do you make polymer clay shiny? You can make polymer clay shiny through the process of glazing after baking, using a water based polyurethane glaze. Glazing is a fantastic technique to use with polymer clay jewellery making and can really give your designs a professional finish, with a whole host of benefits.
Can I use Mod Podge to seal polymer clay?
The short answer is yes. You can seal Polymer Clay with Mod Podge but Polymer Clay on its own is already robust enough once it is cured, that you don´t have to seal it at all. So sealing it with Mod Podge only makes sense if you want, for example, a glitter finish, that Mod Podge Sparkle can provide.
Can you paint polymer clay after baking?
The short answer is, you can do both but painting the polymer clay before baking it may cause some problems if not all of the water from the paint evaporated completely. The better and safer way is to paint the clay after baking when it is completely cooled down and hardened.
How long should you bake polymer clay?
To bake polymer clay, preheat your oven to the manufacturer’s advised temperature (usually 230°F – 275°F). Baking times are typically 15 – 30 minutes for each ¼ inch thickness. Thinner clay needs 15 minutes to cure. When cool, properly baked clay can be marked with a fingernail, but it won’t sink in.
Can you seal polymer clay with clear nail polish?
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. The solvent in nail polish will begin to soften and dissolve your polymer clay, even baked clay, making it sticky and gooey over time.
Can you use Varathane on oil based clay?
Polymer clay users want to make sure to get the water based form of Varathane as the oil based versions will react chemically with polymer clay over time, and may stay sticky or cause long term degradation of the clay. I use it as my applied finish of choice–if I apply anything at all, it is Varathane.
Which is the best glaze to use for polymer clay?
The best glaze to use for polymer clay is a water-based polyurethane glaze. It is durable, safe, and non-reactive to the clay or any mixed media. It will not corrode the poly clay, cloud its appearance, or go sticky with atmospheric changes.
Which is better Rustoleum Varathane or polyurethane?
Varathane is far LESS expensive and much MORE effective than other products I have used to glaze the surface of polymer clays. It withstands the tests of time and rough handling. Note—Our research shows that the aerosol form will work with baked polymer clay without reaction over time.
Which is the best brand of polymer clay sealer?
Varathane is a brand name of polyurethane varnish that’s been around since 1958. It’s used as a wood, furniture, cabinet, and floor finish. Chances are good that there is wood in your home that is finished with polyurethane. It’s been a favorite of polymer clay artists for over 25 years because it just works.