Question about coating your claywork - Gloss?

[Former_Member]

I have a question about claymaking.
I have made charms out of clay for earrings, they're super cute, but have fingerprints and are not glossy. A friend of mine makes similar items out of clay, and she has a VERY THICK coat of gloss over her items, and it makes it look very professional and smooth. She told me that it was just something she can dip her piece into, let dry, and viola!
When i asked her where she got it, and what it was, she said it was just something she picked up at joanns/michaels. I spent hours at the crafts store and bought several items, but none seem to be working out.
I bought ModPodge, or whatever that item is called/spelled. I dipped my claywork into it, and it looked PERFECT. Exactly the look i was going for..... but after a few days of sitting, the modpodge melted off of it, and adhered my claywork to the table it was sitting on. disaster! I've also tried a clear coat spray, but it wasn't the look i was going for. I have tried the brush on clear... i think it was a cheap resin of some sort? that didn't work out either.
What products do you use to give your claywork the jewelry-quality gloss? where can i get it? what is the brand name? i need to know exacts, so i can go buy it!!

[Former_Member]

I use Sculpey glaze. There are gloss and satin varieties and they are very durable. I use two coats, but you could use 3 or more for even more shine, I'm guessing. I brush mine on. I have not tried dipping it, but I do know there are glazes that you can do that with.
I also like Flecto Varathane, which is a floor polish. I have bought it from polymerclayexpress.com in a medium size bottle. I believe you can dip or spray that kind on as well as brush it on.
One way to remove fingerprints after baking is sanding, but be sure to use a fine wet/dry sandpaper 400 grit or higher.

[apollinerei]

I also use Sculpey glaze. I use two coats as well.

[aLilBiteOfCute]

I usually use one coat of Triple Thick Glaze.

[aLilBiteOfCute]

I've never dipped my clay pieces into it.. but I've thought about it. Because I hate brushing it on. It's always such a hassle having to brush one side then wait til it dries to paint the other. Or maybe I'm just doing something wrong and making it harder than it has to be. D=

[valenstar]

I've tried Glossy Glaze - it gets tacky over time
Resin is fussy to work with (at least the two-part kind - flat item friendly but not bead friendly)
Pledge with Future Shine is my go-to glaze. I've been using the same bottle since I started claying (partially due to limited clay time, partially because the bottle lasts a really long time). It's in a clear bottle with a white label (older label was blue). NOT the cleaner.

[Former_Member]

I use waterbased Varathane, but I don't dip. It's just kind of messy. But here's a sample of what two coats of that looks like (first photo, the other two are in a different finish). Also, I sand everything!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/68145999/custom-polymer-clay-bird-cake-topper

[Former_Member]

The gloss dips I use is Sculpey, but sometimes I use a very fine crystal glitter made by Martha Stewart. I found that if I put a little on me finger and then softly rub it into what I have made, and do that all over it before I bake it, then it comes out with a nice gloss and no mess. it is hard to rub it into small cracks at time though.

[Former_Member]

Maureen, you can use a fluffy paint brush for that too..easier to get in the cracks :)

[MariposaMiniatures]

I hear Sculpey Glaze is great, and gives a nice thick coat, but a lot of the products I glaze are painted with Acrylics, and many artists have said Sculpey Glaze now cracks the paint on the clay, so unfortunately, I've never tried the stuff out.

I personally use Americana Dura Clear Gloss Varnish. It's a water based polyurethane, and I like to give my pieces three coats of it, just to make sure it's thick and shiny. It's a little thinner than other glazes, but give it a few coats and it'll be just as good (and a lot cheaper).

Though I also work with lots of charms, and earrings, so when waiting for them to dry after dipping (or painting the glaze on, which I prefer) I hang them on a piece of wire that I've taped to the tops of two blocks. It's my own handmade drying rack, and works great so I don't have to glaze one side at a time, or leave it on a surface where it might stick and peel all the glaze right off. You said you made earrings, so just thought it would be a good suggestion if you wanted to try it out.

[aLilBiteOfCute]

" Rhoda from BlueButterflyDesign says
I use waterbased Varathane, but I don't dip. It's just kind of messy. "

I want to try that now! Here;s a youtube video I just saw about it-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld9Y-MPMRM0

[Former_Member]

The can in the video is exactly what I use. Works quite well, and one can lasts me several years even though I pump out a huge volume of work.... unless my husband steals my can to seal shelves. Then it doesn't last quite so long :P You can also heat set it which makes it pretty much impenetrable. I usually set it at 200 for 15 minutes.

[Former_Member]

Also, in the video she says you have to wait 2 hours to put on a second coat... I've done it as soon as 15 minutes if they are thin coats. Waiting 2 hours would drive me nuts! If you initially slap on a super thick coat it will peel on occasion. Also, my suggestion would be to seperate it into several plastic bottles after opening the can. Otherwise you get little dried out bits in the can after opening a few times. I use a couple large bottles for storage and then dump small amounts into a capped squeeze bottle for regular use.

[StardustJewelCo]

I use Magic Glos by Lisa Pavelka- its one part, UV resin that cures in the sun. I just made a bracelet yesterday and when I was done I put it on the balcony for 15 minutes then wore it all day.
ALL the other products will decay over time. Waxes and sealers are not waterproof and heatproof, and I don't want to coat things I'm selling with something that isn't waterproof or that will "melt" off onto your skin. Esp since I live in TX and it's hot here.

[Former_Member]

I'm pretty sure the Varathane won't.... I have pieces that I coated 10 years ago and they are still just fine. I have always heatset them so maybe that makes a difference.

[aLilBiteOfCute]

Rhoda, my husband got me some of that Varathane today.. I'm excited to try it out! That's interesting that you can heat set it too, I'll have to try that too. :)

[Former_Member]

I like to use one coat of Triple Thick glaze. It dries quickly and leaves a very shiny finish. I highly recommend it. If you want to see an example of a charm coated in Triple Thick look at my shop. I bought my jar on amazon but you could also find it in most craft stores. :)

[aLilBiteOfCute]

I use triple thick too (it's even on my ninja chibi in my avatar), but I'm trying to find something better. And I think I might've found it in varathane. :) I tried it on my newest creation and I like it. :D

[Former_Member]

Would anyone here be able to sell me a tiny tiny bit of varathane polyurethane, so i can try it out before it buy it?
I tried the sculpy brand, it looked nice, but it cracked paint :(
send me a message. i just want just enough to coat one or two tiny pieces to try it out... maybe like, 1$ or 2$ worth?

[TheDameOfTheDead]

Triple thick and it won't get sticky after it dries

[Former_Member]

Julie, I'll just send you some :) I have plenty of it and little bottles. Just send me your address.

[Former_Member]

I use Triple Thick. I just switched and I LOVE IT! (:

[Former_Member]

And I can send you some if you'd like.

[linsart]

I use Verathane Diamond seal, waterbased. I use the satin with a low shine, but you can also get it in the gloss. I found it at Home Depot, or any large store. Lowes has it also. A quart transfered to a smaller bottle. Easy clean up with water too.
Love the stuff. It has worked well for me for many years. I let it dry overnight on my work.
Good sales to all !

[Former_Member]

I tried Fimo gloss but for me it looked 'cheap', acrylic spray got sticky after a few days, Triple thick (called triple gloss here) is also a bit sticky for me. Now I use one coat of acrylic spray and two or three coats of Future floor polish, so far this works best for me. It is not too glossy, I like that.