What is the best sealant for air dry clay? The best option to provide a water-resistant, durable seal on air dry clay objects is to use a polyurethane or acrylic sealer. These provide a durable, water-resistant finish to protect the air dry clay and prevent it from yellowing.
In a bowl, mix a ratio of 80% PVA glue to 20% water to create a creamy consistency, and then coat your fully dried clay piece, and allow the sealer mixture to dry. Once you have applied your PVA glue mixture or acrylic medium, you can then apply 3 coats of acrylic paint to seal your work.
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.
CRAFTMILL CLEAR POLYURETHANE GLOSS VARNISH
We recommend this water based POLYURETHANE varnish for use on all kinds of air dry, oven cured or kiln baked clays and perfect on baked POLYMER CLAYS. It is ideal for use over acrylic paint to give added protection and to gloss up and enhance the colours.
You can even seal your sculptures to create a beautiful, glossy shine. You can make air dry clay shiny with epoxy resin, clear spray paint, Mod Podge, or a high-gloss clay varnish. Each of these finishes adds an extra layer of durability and produces a lustrous, glossy sheen.
Glazes have different effects on clay surfaces. In ceramics, we refer to them as gloss or matte glazes. Gloss glazes create a shiny, reflective surface. Matte glazes make a dull surface and satin matte glazes create a semi-shiny surface that is smooth to the touch.
With air dry clay, it isn't kiln fired, so after painting, it can look a bit… dull. Well, I have some good news for you – Mod Podge does the trick. Not only does it provide an incredible shiny finish, it also strengthens the project itself.
As I've mentioned before, patience is an essential tool for sculpting with air dry clay, and the same holds true for surface decoration. Your paint must be fully dry before applying varnish to prevent unwanted smudging or blending of colours. Drying time varies depending on the mediums you use.
Most varnishes for polymer clay need 3-4 layers to give a durable finish. If you only use one thin coating it will often peel away. Make sure you clean your polymer clay before sealing it. Oils and dirt will react with your varnish and cause it to peel.
While varnish can react to the clay or surface oils, the most common reason for stickiness is air moisture, inhibiting the curing process. Glaze pooling in crevasses: Adding sealant to a clay creation with lots of texture and different detail thicknesses can be tricky.
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.
In order to dry properly, air dry clay projects should be exposed to air on all sides at the same time. This will help prevent warping and cracking. We recommend drying pieces on a screen or cookie rack, for example, where air flow is the same on all sides.
Air-dry clays were developed for artists who desire the integrity of clay but do not have easy access to a kiln. Most air-dry clays are mineral based and have properties comparable to those of traditional clays. They harden within a few days and do not need to be fired to create a permanent form.
Both Model Magic and Air-Dry Clay can be sealed once your piece is completely dry. Both products generally take 24 hours to dry to the touch; 72 hours to dry completely. Once dry, an acrylic varnish can be used. We recommend testing its compatibility before applying it to a finished piece.
Clear nail polish will seal air dry clay fairly well. It will not protect the clay from being submerged in water or washed in a dishwasher. It is also not safe to eat off of. It is best used strictly for decorative objects.
It takes around two to three days or 48 to 72 hours for air-dry clay to dry. During that period, sculptures should be left as undisturbed as possible. Painting should not be done while the clay is drying to avoid cracking and other deformities. Air dry clay takes a long time to dry because such a process is natural.
A high quality, artist-grade varnish adds a layer of protection against dust, UV rays (which dull colours over time) and yellowing (depending on the paint). Environmental considerations are key for air dry clay artwork: Because the clay isn't vitrified like ceramics, it's more susceptible to humidity.
Mod Podge on Air Dry 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. Before we dive into the tutorial, let's go over a few basics of this project.
Vinegar is used in clay bodies to increase acidity to improve plasticity. The acid works to neutralize sodium ions (from water, leaching feldspars) that tend to deflocculate the clay. However, excessive acid may tend to dissolve more feldspar or nepheline syenite negating the effect.
You can sand and buff your polymer clay earrings to produce a beautiful shine without glazes, resins or sealers. My favorite sandpaper is the wet/dry sandpaper that works with water or without. You can pick it up at your local hardware store, or on amazon.
The best all-around varnish to use for polymer clay in terms of sheen, affordability, and quality is water-based polyurethane varnish. But, other glazes such as epoxy resin, liquid acrylic, and even Mod Podge can be used depending on your budget and what you want the finished project to look like.