How Do You Make Clay Shiny After Baking?
Giving baked clay a shiny finish can enhance craft projects in a few simple ways. Adding shine brings out the clay’s color, gives it visual depth, and makes the surface smooth and glassy. A shiny clay project often looks more professional and finished compared to an unglazed matte piece. The sheen draws the eye and makes details pop. Shine also helps protect the clay from dirt, dust, and fingerprints. With some basic materials and techniques, it’s easy to make your polymer or air-dry clay creations glossy. Learn how to achieve anything from a subtle sheen to a wet-look gloss.
Why Add Shine?
Adding shine to polymer clay gives your finished pieces an eye-catching aesthetic appeal. The shine creates a smooth, sleek surface that looks professionally done. Shiny polymer clay has a beautiful luster that makes details and colors pop. A glossy coating enhances the visual depth of the clay and makes it look like glass or ceramic. Shine brings out the best qualities in polymer clay and takes it from a hobby material to a fine art medium. There are many techniques you can use to make your polymer clay creations really shine.
Supplies Needed
To make clay shiny after baking, you will need:
Sealant
A sealant is a clear liquid coating that prevents moisture from penetrating the clay. It seals the porous clay surface and provides a smooth, glossy finish. Popular sealants for clay include polyurethane, epoxy resin, and acrylic.
Varnish
Varnish is similar to sealant but usually contains additional resins that increase glossiness. Polyurethane varnish and acrylic varnish work well for shining baked clay pieces. Ensure any varnish is safe for the oven if baking the piece further.
Glaze
Glazes provide a glass-like coating over the clay surface. They come in various finishes from matte to high-gloss. Special glazes designed for polymer clay yield the best shine. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for curing glazed pieces.
Finishing Products
Polymer clay finishing liquids and waxes add instant shine while smoothing the clay surface. These products work well for small pieces. Look for polish creams or sprays formulated especially for polymer clay to maximize shine.
Clean the Clay
Proper preparation is the first step to achieving a shiny finish on baked clay. Remove any dust, debris, or fingerprints by gently wiping the surface of the clay with a soft cloth or paintbrush. Avoid using anything abrasive or rough at this stage, as that could create scratches. You want the clay surface to be as smooth as possible before applying any finishing products.
For best results, clean the clay soon after baking and allow it to fully cool first. Heat and moisture can sometimes trap debris, so cleaning right away helps prevent issues. Work methodically and carefully, since the clay will be more fragile after baking. Use a gentle touch to remove any particles without damaging the clay.
Once clean, inspect the clay closely to ensure it’s ready for the shine-enhancing steps. A thorough cleaning provides the ideal base to help the clay reach its maximum luster and brilliance.
Apply Sealant or Varnish
Sealants and varnishes are great options for giving polymer or air-dry clay a shiny finish. When applying a sealant or varnish, it’s important to use smooth, even strokes and multiple thin coats for the best results.
Start by choosing a water-based acrylic sealant or varnish designed for crafting. Oil-based options may react with the clay. Pour a small amount of sealant or varnish into a disposable container like a yogurt cup. Dip a soft paintbrush into the liquid, then gently stroke it across the surface of the clay in long, smooth motions. Avoid pressing too hard or overbrushing areas as this can create excess brush marks.
Let the first coat dry completely, then apply a second coat using the same method. Two to three thin coats are better than one thick one for achieving an even, glossy shine. Lightly sand any drips or uneven sections with fine grit sandpaper between coats. Allow the final coat to fully cure for 24-48 hours before handling the clay.
Applying sealant or varnish with care results in a flawless glossy finish that really makes clay creations shine! Just be patient and take your time building up multiple sheer layers.
Use Glazes
Applying glaze is one of the most common ways to add shine and color to baked clay. Glazes come in various finishes and effects. Some popular types of glaze include:
- Glossy glaze – Provides a smooth, glass-like shiny finish.
- Matte glaze – Has a non-reflective, velvety finish.
- Crackle glaze – Creates an antiqued cracked effect.
- Metallic glaze – Contains metal oxides to create a glittery, iridescent look.
- Translucent stained glaze – Allows undertones to show through with a colored tint.
To apply glaze:
- Make sure baked clay is fully dry and cool before glazing.
- Clean the surface of any debris, dust or oils.
- Apply glaze evenly using a brush, sponge, or dipping method.
- Let it dry. Depending on the glaze, multiple coats may be needed.
- Fire or rebake the clay based on the glaze instructions.
Glazes flow over the clay surface to create an impervious vitreous coating. The glazing process enhances the look and feel of the final clay piece.
Other Finishing Products
In addition to glazes, there are other finishing products that can add shine and protection to polymer clay:
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Waxes – Wax gives a smooth, soft sheen to polymer clay. It protects the surface and can be buffed to a glossy finish. Try a polymer clay-specific wax or natural waxes like carnauba or beeswax.
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Polishes – Polishing compounds are another option for finishing polymer clay. Apply the polish and buff the piece to achieve a bright, glossy shine. Automotive or furniture polish tends to work well.
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Resins – Clear liquid resins like polyurethane, epoxy resin or UV-cure resin will give an extremely glossy, glass-like finish when poured over polymer clay. Make sure to select a resin formulated for plastics.
Experiment with different finishing products to find the right sheen and protection for your polymer clay creations.
Let Dry Completely
After applying any finishing product to polymer clay, it’s crucial to allow ample drying time before handling the piece. Polymer clay artworks are quite fragile before completely cured. Rushing the curing process risks smudging the finish or damaging the clay.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for exact drying times. Different products require different cure times. Sealants may dry within an hour, while varnishes could take 24-48 hours to fully cure. If possible, allow even longer dry times of 3-7 days.
Make sure there is no tackiness before touching or handling the clay. Test a small inconspicuous area to see if the finish has hardened completely. If any product rubs off, allow more drying time.
Proper curing also helps finishes and top coats reach maximum hardness and durability. Having patience allows all solvents to evaporate fully from oil-based varnishes and sprays. Rushing could lead to a gummy or soft finish.
Take steps to prevent dust or debris from settling on the clay while curing. Work in a clean, dry area and cover the workspace if needed. Avoid direct sunlight or extreme heat during the process.
With adequate drying time, the polymer clay will have a flawless glossy or matte look that resists scratches, fingerprints, and wear. The time investment is well worth the long-lasting radiant finish.
Achieving Different Effects
You can achieve a range of different finishes on polymer clay depending on the products and techniques you use. Here are some of the most common effects:
Glossy
A glossy finish will make the clay look shiny, wet, and reflective. To get this effect, use a high-gloss varnish, resin, or glaze. Apply multiple coats to maximize the shine. Glossy finishes look great on decorative objects, jewelry, and figurines.
Satin
Satin finishes have a soft subtle sheen. They are not completely matte but also avoid being overly shiny. Use a satin or semi-gloss varnish or glaze and apply lighter coats. Satin works well for many clay projects where you want a hint of shine but not a plastic-y look.
Matte
Matte finishes completely eliminate shine and reflections. They give clay a smooth, flat look. Matte spray sealants work well for this effect. You can also carefully buff the baked clay with steel wool. Matte is great for realistic clay sculptures and figures.
Caring for the Finish
Once you have added a protective finish to your baked clay artwork, always handle it with care to keep it looking shiny and new. Avoid excessive handling, as the oils from your hands can dull the shine over time. When washing your finished clay piece, use a gentle soap and water. Avoid harsh detergents or scrubbing, which could wear down the finish. Rinse and dry thoroughly after washing.
How durable the shine lasts depends on the type of finish used. A quality sealant or varnish will be most long-lasting and protective. Waxes or polishes provide shine but wear away more quickly. Glazes are extremely durable as they are fused to the clay through firing. With proper care, a good finish on polymer clay can look great for many years of enjoyment.
