Varnishing polymer clay

[RoseOfTheFlames]

Does varnishing increase polymer clay's resistance to water, dust and so on, giving your creations a longer "life" period? Or it doesn't matter and it's mainly just for the looks?

[Former_Member]

In my own personal experience, glazing (or varnishing) does greatly increase the durability of the piece. That is if you use a good glaze, I've used some in the past that have not dried properly and they have ended up super sticky and attracting much more dust. Where water is concerned, I think however the clay is treated, it just isn't best to mix the two. If the water doesn't damage the clay, it is likely to damage the glue you've used to fix findings to your jewellery and they may fall apart.

[exZuberant]

Polymer clay is water-resistant. I don't use any kind of varnish or other sealant. I wet sand the pieces with finer and finer grits of sandpaper and then buff with a muslin buffing wheel on my Dremel tool if I want a higher gloss finish, or by hand with a soft piece of cloth if I want something to be less shiny. I've left pieces in bowls of water for days and there's no difference. I've showered wearing pieces of my jewelry and have had no issues. I don't typically use much glue to attach findings (I embed them before baking, typically, or drill through the piece so it can be threaded on something), but when I do, I use two-part epoxy, which is also water-resistant.

I have experimented with Future floor polish on a couple of pieces, and it looks nice, but I haven't tested the durability. I really prefer the look I get when I sand and buff.

[Former_Member]

I made a few polymer clay necklace charms and I will be painting them in layers with water based paint. I am wanting to gloss it on the outside myself, so this topic interests me. I am just wondering specifically which varnish is the best for polymer clay and if it will seal my acrylic paint. I am looking into Modge Podge, but I don't want to varnish anything if it will destroy the acrylics.

[Former_Member]

I use FIMO polymer clay. I have tried quenching polymer clay pieces a few times and it ruined them. I don't know what happened here because I do know that many people successfully quench their peices, but then I have heard of others having the same problem as me. Sanding and buffing is extremely difficult to do if your pieces do not have a flat surface.

I use sculpey glaze. Two coats usually, it gives a lovely finish, although as I mentioned before, I did have a bottle before that was dodgy and just would not dry!

[Former_Member]

Amelia, was it the Sculpey glaze that didn't dry before? That is really disappointing, because the reason it doesn't dry is that the properties are incompatible, and certainly shouldn't be with a glaze made just for polymer clays! If I want to glaze anything, I do usually go with a glaze made by a polymer clay company - it SHOULD do well. There are different finishes to choose from as well - matte, satin, and gloss. Usually, I don't glaze at all.

[Former_Member]

I paint a lot of my pieces and use some kind of glaze to protect the paint. I usually use floor polish (like varathane or Future), but lately I've been in love Renaissance Wax. It's easy to apply, easy to buff when dry, and seems to protect paint pretty well. I read that it's used in museums to protect items, so it seems like it should hold up over time.

[NicholeLillianRyan]

Alia, I paint most of my clay pieces as well. I've been trying to find the right kind of finish.
Have you ever had any problems with it in heat or humidity or tackiness?