How Do You Apply Gloss To Air Dry Clay?

Air dry clay is a modeling material that dries naturally to a hard, durable finish without the need for baking or firing. It is popular for crafting, jewelry making, miniature figures, decorative pieces, and more. One of the benefits of air dry clay is that it can be painted or sealed once fully dried and hardened. Adding a gloss coat creates a smooth, shiny surface that really makes details and colors pop.

There are a few simple techniques for applying gloss to air dry clay. This guide will cover the necessary supplies, how to prepare the clay surface, choosing a gloss medium like varnish or resin, application methods like brushing or spraying, troubleshooting tips, and creative ways to use gloss finishes for stunning effects.

Whether you want to add durability, enhance visual appeal, or just experiment with new finishes, read on to learn all about adding shine and luster to air dry clay projects.

Supplies Needed

There are just a few key supplies needed to apply gloss to air dry clay projects:

• Air dry clay – Either commercial clay or homemade clay recipes work well. Make sure your clay project is fully dry before applying gloss.

• Gloss medium – Options include mod podge, resin, polyurethane, and specialty clays glazes. Consider different finishes like high gloss, satin, or matte.

• Brushes – You’ll need a soft brush to apply liquid gloss evenly. Foam brushes work well.

• Containers – Use a plastic cup, jar lid, or paint palette for pouring and holding gloss.

As long as you have dried clay, a gloss medium, a brush, and a container, you’ll be ready to start applying shine and sealant to your clay project.

Preparing the Clay Surface

Before applying any type of gloss, it’s important to properly prepare the clay surface. Air dry clay needs ample time to fully dry and cure, which can take 24-48 hours depending on the thickness of the clay. Rushing this drying time can cause cracking or issues with getting an even gloss coat.

Once the clay is completely dry to the touch, lightly sand the entire surface with fine grit sandpaper. This helps remove any rough patches and evens out the surface. Be gentle and don’t over-sand. After sanding, wipe away any dust with a dry cloth.

The clay should now have a smooth, even surface ready for the gloss medium. Proper surface preparation helps the gloss adhere evenly and prevents brush strokes or uneven shine.

Choosing a Gloss Medium

When choosing a gloss medium for air dry clay, you have a few options to consider:

Acrylic Gloss Varnish vs. Glaze

Gloss varnish provides a protective clear coat over the clay, while glaze can add color. Varnish is best for a purely glossy finish, while glazes tint the surface.

Sheen Levels

Gloss mediums come in different sheens:

• Matte – smooth, non-reflective finish
• Satin – silky finish with subtle sheen
• Gloss – shiny, reflective finish

Choose gloss for the most shine, satin for medium luster, or matte for a flatter look.

Brush-on vs. Spray

Brush-on gloss mediums allow precise control and minimize waste. Spray gloss is quicker but can be messy and lead to an uneven coat.

Applying Gloss

When applying gloss to air dry clay, it’s important to work in a well-ventilated area. Use a soft brush to apply thin, even coats of the gloss medium. Allow each coat to fully dry before adding another. The number of coats needed will depend on the desired sheen level. For a subtle sheen, 1-2 coats is usually sufficient. For a higher gloss finish, 3 or more coats may be needed. Apply the coats slowly and smoothly to ensure an attractive glossy effect.

Gently brush on the gloss medium in the direction of the clay’s texture or pattern. Work carefully to get into crevices and avoid pooling. After applying a coat, inspect under lighting to check for missed spots. Let the piece dry completely before adding more gloss coats, generally at least 8 hours. Adding too many coats before proper drying can cause drips, cloudiness, or brush marks. Patience is key for the best high-gloss effect. Once fully dry, the clay will have a bright, light-reflecting surface.

Spray Gloss

Spray gloss is one of the quickest and easiest ways to add shine to dried air dry clay. Spray gloss comes in clear acrylic sprays that you simply spray over the surface of the clay. Here are some key benefits of using spray gloss:

• Fast and easy application – Just point and spray. The entire piece can be coated in seconds.
• Provides uniform coverage – Spray gloss coats the entire surface evenly.
• Minimizes brush strokes – Unlike brush-on products, spray gloss won’t leave visible brush strokes.
• Convenient – Spray cans are inexpensive and easy to use.
• Dries quickly – Most spray gloss dries within minutes.

When using spray gloss, keep these tips in mind for best results:

• Shake the can well before use and hold it upright while spraying for an even coat.
• Apply in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in spray fumes.
• Spray in light, even coats from about 8 inches away to prevent drips and runs.
• Let each coat dry completely before adding another coat for maximum shine.
• Rotate the piece frequently while spraying to coat all sides.
• Use painter’s tape to mask off any areas you don’t want glossy.

Clear Coat Options

After applying gloss to air dry clay, you may want to coat it with a clear sealant to protect the finish and enhance the shine. Two popular options for clear coats are polyurethane and resin.

Polyurethane is a protective clear coat that dries to a hard, durable gloss. It’s often used on floors and furniture. For clay projects, water-based polyurethane works best as it won’t cause the clay to soften like oil-based versions can. Apply 2-3 thin coats with a brush or foam applicator, letting each coat dry fully before adding the next. Polyurethane will help protect the gloss finish from scratches and fingerprints.

Resin, such as epoxy or UV resin, will give air dry clay an ultra thick, glass-like coating. The liquid resin fully encapsulates the clay in a clear dome, emphasizing the glossy effect. Resin can be poured or brushed over the surface. Let it cure fully before handling. Resin provides an attractive transparent sheen that really makes painted or colored clay designs pop. It gives a smooth professional look.

Troubleshooting

Applying gloss to air dry clay can sometimes lead to issues like drips, brush strokes, and cracked or flawed finishes. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common problems:

Fixing Drips, Brush Strokes, etc.

If your gloss leaves drips or visible brush strokes, wait for it to fully dry and then sand those areas gently with fine grit sandpaper. Start with 220 grit or higher to avoid scratching the surface. Be very light handed, since sanding too aggressively can cut through the gloss layer. Wipe away any dust and reapply another thin layer of gloss medium to get a smooth finish.

Dealing with Cracked/Flawed Finish

If cracks, indents, or other flaws appear in the glossy surface, you may need to start over with a fresh coat. First try sanding down the damaged layer gently with fine sandpaper. Then wipe off any debris and reapply the gloss medium in thin layers, allowing each one to fully dry in between. Adding too much gloss in one coat can lead to cracks as it dries. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick application. If flaws persist, stripping the old gloss and starting over may be needed.

Creative Uses

One of the best things about gloss is that it opens up a world of creative possibilities. You can tint gloss to create colored finishes, mix different glosses together for unique effects, or add mica powders for a stunning shimmer.

Tinting the gloss is an easy way to make air dry clay projects really stand out. Acrylic paint works great for tinting clear gloss. Start with just a drop or two of paint per ounce of gloss and mix well. Add more paint for a deeper color. Test on a clay scrap until you achieve the desired tone. Tinted gloss adds a shot of color while still letting the clay show through.

Mica powders blend beautifully into gloss for a pearlescent, metallic shimmer. Use cosmetic grade mica powder and mix it thoroughly into the gloss before applying. A little mica powder goes a long way, so start with just a pinch. Try mixing different colored micas into tinted glosses for stunning effects.

You can also mix glosses for unique finishes. For example, mix a satin varnish with high gloss varnish to create a semi-gloss. Or try mixing gloss gel medium with varnish for a thicker finish. Experimenting with gloss mixes is a fun way to customize the sheen on your clay creations.

Conclusion

Adding gloss to air dry clay can take your projects to the next level. This guide has covered the key techniques for preparing your clay surface, choosing the right gloss medium, and properly applying products like varnish, resin, and Mod Podge. With the right supplies and techniques, it’s easy to achieve beautiful glossy finishes.

The benefits of adding gloss are plentiful. Gloss provides vibrancy to colors, depth and dimension to textures, and a sleek, professional look. It also seals and protects clay from damage. Your finished pieces will have a striking luster and sheen when glossed.

Air dry clay crafts make wonderful gifts, home decor items, jewelry pieces and more. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add some shine! With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to produce stunning glossy clay projects. The possibilities are endless for adding your unique artistic touches.

Give gloss a try on your next air dry clay project. Follow the techniques covered here, and you’ll have dazzling results. Your creations will shimmer and shine when they catch the light. Gloss takes clay art to the next level!