Brand of clay glaze...?

Question

What is the best brand of glaze to use for charms or sculptures made out of polymer clay? (Like Sculpey or Fimo.)

Answer 1

The main types of gloss finish that are okay to use on polymer clay are water-based acrylics like Varathane (used to be manufactured by Flecto but now by Rustoluem...it's for finishing bare wood --the water-washup, Gloss one is the one you want), and Future (which is an acrylic "polish" for vinyl flooring. Those are used most because they're cheaper than the ones made "for polymer clay" and in most cases better than them too (particularly better than "Sculpey glaze" which is thick and gloppy to use, and peels more easily).

What you *don't* want to use are petroleum-solvent based things because they will eventually eat into polymer clay (even after months) --things like "enamels" and certain other finishes, and clear fingernail polishes that *aren't* acrylics, etc.... some clear acrylic sprays work too, but some of them have the bad type of solvent just in their propellants.

Other clear finishes can be used too (acrylic mediums, thinned white glues, melted embossing powders, and even epoxy resins, etc.) but they're often not as strong and more scratchable, etc., than the wood finishes and floor polishes.
The Varathane I mentioned also has "IPN" which means that it gets down into the clay and holds really well, plus a UV protectant, which Future and some of the others I mentioned don't have.

Future is also thinner than Varathane so will require more coats for a "deeper" shine, but it will be a glossy look even if the clay isn't sanded smooth and it's put on over the "bumps."
Future can be applied to baked clay while it's still warm to create a sheen rather than a gloss shine, which isn't done with Varathane though the same result can be gotten by sanding the dried Varathane with 0000 steel wool.

Bkaed clay items can be dipped into either Varathane or Future (or other liquids), but that'sgenerally done with Varathane most often (...suspend item after dipping, then wick off the drip that forms at the bottom a couple of times over the next 5 minutes).
Both can also be re-baked briefly at around 250 F (5-10 min) to "harden" the acrylic, but that isn't totally *necessary.*.

(There are other ways to create a high gloss on baked polymer clays too --for example, wet-sanding then buffing with something electric --this can also be done before adding the liquid finish. There are also other ways to give the clay a sheen rather than a shine, using paste waxes, or hand buffing after sanding for instance).

There is a load more info and details on all these things on the Finishes page of my polymer clay "encyclopedia" website, if you want to check them out, including where to buy them, how to apply, etc:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/finishes.htm



HTH, and have fun!

Diane B.

Answer 2

Several manufacturers of polymer clays also make gloss and matte glazes. These are brush-on finishes that dry in about an hour. Some glazes are water-based; try to avoid these, since they have a tendency to peel over time, particularly in jewelry or other pieces that have to withstand a lot of friction.

Another glaze that can be used is Future floor polish. This is actually an acrylic coating that works well on polymer clay. It is very thin, so to get the best shine, you need to sand and buff your pieces smooth before using it. When used on unsanded clay, it produces a finish more like matte glaze. You can also dip pieces in Future for a heavily-coated, very shiny look. (Be careful to rotate the piece back and forth a few times after dipping to get rid of the excess.)

Many clay artists have also successfully used Flecto Varathane Elite Diamond Finish. This is a lacquer found in hardware stores, in the area with the wood stains and finishes. It comes in satin (matte), semi-gloss, and gloss finishes. A piece with Flecto on it can be re-fired for a stronger glaze. Flecto will also bend and flex without peeling - an important consideration if you're using a flexible clay in thin sheets.

Both Flecto and Future are much less expensive in quantity than the polymer-clay manufacturers' glazes. Since they come in large containers, you may want to put some into a smaller container for your workspace to make it more manageable.

Do not use nail polish to lacquer your clay, and be careful about using other glazes. Many lacquers - including most nail polish - will react with the clay over time, causing it to turn sticky. Some glazes, especially spray-ons, never dry properly when used on polymer clay. If you want to try a new glaze, make sure to test it first.