Polymer clay tips and tricks #4: Glazing

Last but not least. You've cooked your charm and it's perfect! The color is a little flat and you'd like to revive it. Ok, then here are the tips I have to glazing.

 

Step #1

Which glaze to use?

I have only liked the price and finish of one glaze type and brand... Varathane polyurethane water based gloss glaze. There are three versions, satin, gloss and high gloss but I use gloss. Sculpey has a glaze that is exactly the same but, it comes in such a small container I will not ever buy it again. It's just not worth the cost. It may seem watery and milky, but I like that. I can tell I'm actually doing something and I don't have a horrible thick layer on my charm so all the details still show. Plus, it lasts forever. I moved my Varathane from the can to a plastic flip-cap water bottle I got from the $1 tree and then for safe measure I duck tape sealed the lid to the bottle.

Step #2

How to apply it?

I use a round paint brush and just apply in thin strokes. If it's too thick it pools. Pooling is a little difficult to remove and it can also leave a bead of glaze on the bottom of the charm while it drip dries. Some people have suggested dipping into the glaze but, I find it is too much effort for a "fully coated" result. I don't like dabbing the bottom of my charm to take off the excess for a minute or more just to save time on brush strokes. Think about it this way, if you can't reach it with a brush and you can't see it, you probably won't miss glaze on it.

Step #3

How long until it's dry?

Only about 10-15 minutes. Sometimes faster depending on the room's temperature. It should appear to be clear, visually. Although, when I apply the glaze, unless it's pooled, I can't see the cloudy coloring, so I just touch it lightly checking for tackiness.

Step #4

How permanent is it?

Well... It will peel away without question if you just leave it after drying. No other blogs have suggested this can be a problem. They all say that the glaze stays on and is perfect. I have found that unless I take one more step I will regret it. So, I pop my charm right back in the oven and cook it for 15 minutes at 275 degrees with no preheating. Let it cool. And now you are done! 

You will notice that it is shinier and if you try to scrap the glaze off it should stay put. The glaze is not wear and tear proof, it will wear away over time. Unless you get into resin I haven't found a way around wear in tear.  My main goal is that my charms don't break and the findings don't rip out of the charms. 

Thanks for reading and see you again soon!