Resin contracts as it cures, often pulling the resin away from the edges of your polymer clay pieces. Both UV and epoxy resin have a short shelf life, so buying in bulk isn’t always wise. Frankly, there are poorly performing resins out there, and you won’t know they don’t work well until you have ruined your pieces. Allow your glaze to dry according to the varnish’s directions and inspect for any problem areas before proceeding further.

Acrylic paint will seal air dry clay but only to a certain extent. Most acrylic paint is water-resistant but will not make your air-dry clay pots waterproof. Unlike polymer clay, air dry clay is water-soluble. To be made waterproof it has to be completely coated with a waterproof coating like epoxy or polyurethane. Most Acrylic paints, including outdoor acrylics, are water-resistant not waterproof. Will Air-Dry Clay dissolve in water?

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FDA 21 CFR 175.300 compliant for food safety, EnviroTex Lite Epoxy Resin is ideal for creating air-dry clay candy dishes and similar projects. It is self-leveling, water-proof, and has a very high gloss. Sealing air-dry clay is a simple process. To help you achieve sterling results applying varnish to your air-dry clay projects, we offer this simple guide to success. You can now apply your first coat of sealant. If all you are wanting to accomplish is making your air-dry clay waterproof, then one coat may be enough. The purpose of this initial layer is to fill and seal all of the pores in your clay work. Unless you are using epoxy resin as a sealer, it is best to apply as light a coat as will provide complete coverage. Air-dry clay is wonderful to work with for novices and experts alike. Many of the techniques you can use with it easily transfer over to working with ceramics and pottery. This makes it an ideal introductory medium for people just starting to explore working with clay. It also makes air-dry clay an inexpensive way for experienced crafters to perfect their skills. If satisfied with the appearance of your project after the initial coat of sealer, apply further coats to achieve the look you are looking for.

Correct any flaws that you find now. It will be much more difficult to take corrective action later. For traditional pottery made with pottery clay, the creations need to be fired in a kiln to cure and properly seal. Once the clay has been cured, it’s generally safe to use with water and food.

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Inspect your work and sand smooth any edges or areas that are rough. many sealants will highlight rather than hide surface imperfections. Remove any dust you have created from the surface of your clay. You can find varnish in different levels of finish from matte to glossy, so read the label and choose the one that will give you the finish you’re looking for. Epoxy sealants provide more flexibility, impact resistance, and durability than any other type. They are also the only varnishes that provide a true water-repellant coating. Epoxy coatings must be brushed on or thinned before sponging. How to Seal Clay Epoxy resin offers the highest level of protection, so any pottery sealed with this method will be safe to keep outside in any weather conditions – rain, sleet, or snow. 3. Mod Podge