Does Air Dry Clay Stick To Surfaces When Drying?
What is Air Dry Clay?
Air dry clay is a modeling material made primarily from clay and a non-toxic slurry material such as cellulose gum or cornstarch. Unlike typical clay that requires baking, air dry clay hardens naturally through evaporation.
The main ingredients in air dry clay are:
- Clay – Provides sculptability and sturdiness when dry.
- Cellulose gum or cornstarch – Acts as a binder to help harden the clay.
- Water – Adds moisture to keep the clay soft.
Air dry clay is lightweight, non-toxic, and easy to work with. It can be molded into various shapes and designs. When fully dried, it hardens to a finish similar to baked clay.
There are two main types of air dry clay:
- Self-hardening clay – Hardens naturally through evaporation at room temperature.
- Non-hardening clay – Stays perpetually soft until baked in an oven.
Self-hardening air dry clay is the most commonly used type for arts, crafts, and DIY projects.
Does Air Dry Clay Stick to Surfaces?
Yes, air dry clay can stick to surfaces as it dries. The stickiness depends on the clay composition and surface material. When working with air dry clay, it’s important to consider which surfaces it may adhere to when drying.
Air dry clay is made frommaterials like cellulose, glue, and non-toxic paints. As it dries, the clay hardens and bonds to itself. This means it can also stick to other materials it comes in contact with while drying.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass, metals, and plastics generally resist sticking. But porous or textured surfaces like unfinished wood, cardboard, and fabric are more prone to bonding with the clay. The rougher and more absorbent the material, the more the clay will adhere.
Clay with lots of glue in the composition tends to be stickier. And improperly mixed or dried clay is also more prone to sticking. Understanding which surfaces the clay may stick to is key to avoiding adhesion issues in projects.
Why Does Air Dry Clay Stick?
Air dry clay sticks to surfaces as it dries due to the ingredients that make up the clay. Most air dry clays are made from a natural base clay blended with cellulose-based additives like paper, flour, glue, and other natural fibers. These additives help bind the clay together and allow it to harden at room temperature as the moisture evaporates. The moisture in the clay acts like a temporary adhesive, helping it adhere to surfaces.
As air dry clay begins to dry, the moisture allows it to grab onto any tiny crevices and textures on the surface below. This creates a suction-like seal between the clay and the surface. The natural adhesives from the cellulose additives also help create this bond as they cure. Over time, the dried clay forms a durable adhesion to the surface it is in contact with while drying.
What Surfaces Does it Stick To?
Air dry clay is more likely to stick well to porous surfaces that allow the clay to bond as the water evaporates. Porous surfaces like untreated wood, paper, and cardboard provide the ideal surface for air dry clay to adhere to.
On non-porous surfaces like glass and metals, air dry clay may still stick as it dries and contracts, but the bond is weaker. Smooth non-porous surfaces don’t allow the clay to grip and form as strong of a bond.
Plastic and silicone surfaces are less ideal for sticking as they are slick and non-porous. Air dry clay will still adhere slightly as it dries and shrinks, but plastic and silicone do not form a strong bond and the clay can be carefully removed after drying.
Tips to Prevent Sticking
When working with air dry clay, it’s common for it to stick to surfaces as it dries. However, there are some tips to prevent air dry clay from bonding too strongly as it cures:
Apply Separators
Coat the surface underneath the clay lightly with cooking oil spray, vegetable oil, or wax paper. This creates a barrier so the clay won’t fuse to the surface as it dries.
Use Non-Stick Surfaces
Work on surfaces that are naturally non-stick to begin with, like silicone baking mats, plastic, or metal. The clay will be less likely to adhere strongly to these materials.
Allow to Dry Completely
Wait until the clay is fully cured and dry before attempting to remove it from the surface. When wet or damp, air dry clay is more flexible and stickier. Let it harden completely before handling.
Using Adhesives with Air Dry Clay
If you want to ensure air dry clay sticks firmly to a surface, using an adhesive can help create a strong bond. Some good adhesives to use with air dry clay include:
White Glue – White glue, like Elmer’s, is an excellent choice for adhering air dry clay to porous materials like wood, paper, and cardboard. The white glue soaks into the material, creates a strong bond when dry.
Mod Podge – Mod podge is a versatile decoupage glue that works great with clay. It provides a smooth, durable seal and can be used on wood, plastic, metal and more. Mod podge comes in matte, glossy and satin finishes.
Varnish – A spray varnish or polyurethane coating will help adhere clay firmly to a surface. The varnish soaks in and creates a hard shell when dry. Multiple coats can be applied for very strong adhesion.
For an incredibly strong, permanent bond, superglues and epoxies work great with air dry clay. The clay cures firmly and tightly bonded to the surface. Take care when positioning, as the bond sets nearly instantly with superglue.
Strongest Bonding Surfaces
Air dry clay bonds most strongly to unsealed porous surfaces that allow the clay to seep in and grip. Surfaces like untreated wood are ideal as the clay can scratch into the pores and crevices to form a tight bond as it dries. Other highly porous materials like cardboard, paper, and fabric also allow air dry clay to permeate and adhere firmly.
To increase grip on surfaces like wood, try scratching or roughing up the area first. This exposes more pores for the clay to cling to. Similarly, crumpling and wrinkling paper or fabric creates more texture and surfaces for the clay to hold onto. Just be cautious roughing up delicate materials that could tear.
Air dry clay can bond tightly to unfinished ceramics like bisqueware for the same reason – the porous, unglazed clay body provides an ideal gripping surface. Just ensure any surface is clean before applying the clay.
In general, any raw, unfinished, or unsealed porous material allows air dry clay to penetrate and adhere most strongly as it dries. Just be careful with more delicate items that could scratch or stain.
Weakest Bonding Surfaces
Some surfaces do not allow air dry clay to adhere well during the drying process. Non-stick cookware, silicone molds, plastic sheets, and other smooth non-porous materials do not provide enough texture or absorbency for the clay to grip onto as it dries and contracts. Waxed, oiled, or sealed surfaces like wood or metal that have been treated to repel moisture are also very poor bonding surfaces for air dry clay.
When working with air dry clay, it’s best to avoid direct contact with non-stick, silicone, plastic, waxed, oiled, or sealed materials if you want to prevent the clay from easily falling or peeling off. Either choose a more absorbent and porous material like untreated wood, terracotta, or canvas, or use an adhesive like glue or double-sided tape if you need to affix air dry clay to a non-stick surface. Applying a layer of gesso or acrylic paint first can also help the clay grip better.
Overall, smooth non-porous materials are the weakest bonding surfaces for air dry clay. To ensure secure drying and minimize falling off, air dry clay should be applied to more textured and absorbent materials.
Air Dry Clay Projects
Air dry clay is extremely versatile and can be used to create a wide variety of crafts and decorative objects. Here are some of the most popular project ideas:
Jewelry
Lightweight air dry clay is perfect for making jewelry such as beads, pendants, earrings, and brooches. The clay can be rolled out, hand shaped, molded, or run through a pasta machine to create jewelry components. Charming jewelry is an easy beginner air dry clay project.
Figurines and Ornaments
Sculpting air dry clay allows you to make miniature figurines, dolls, animals, or funky characters. These adorable shapes make great keepsakes and unique ornaments, especially around the holidays. Air dry clay is an accessible medium for novice sculptors.
Wall Art
You can hand build freeform wall hangings or press the clay into molds to create geometric wall art. Air dry clay provides endless options for DIY wall decor. After painting and sealing, it will last for years. Clay reliefs add beautiful texture and dimension to accent walls.
Bowls, Vases, Frames
Air dry clay can be shaped over bowls, vases, or boxes to create one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces with a handmade look. The lightweight clay is also perfect for embellishing readymade wood frames. With some simple tools, clay can transform ordinary objects into extraordinary art.
Summary
In summary, air dry clay does tend to stick to some surfaces as it dries due to its adhesive properties. The strongest bonding materials for air dry clay are porous materials like wood, cardboard, and untreated canvas. Smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass, metals, and plastics provide the weakest bonding.
To control sticking, apply a separator like cooking oil or plastic wrap to surfaces before working with clay. Work on disposable surfaces like wax paper whenever possible. If clay does stick, gently pry and peel it away after fully dried. Using liquid clay or commercial clay adhesives can create an even stronger bond when desired.
With proper preparation of work surfaces and using the right types of substrates, you can minimize unwanted sticking and take advantage of air dry clay’s adhesive grip when needed for your projects.
