What Can I Put On Clay To Make It Shine?

Making your clay creations shine is an easy process that can take your projects to the next level. Depending on the type of clay you are using, there are a variety of techniques and materials that will give your sculptures, ornaments, jewelry, and other clay crafts a beautiful sheen.

The three main categories of modeling clay – polymer clay, air-dry clay, and ceramic clay – each have their own unique properties that affect how well they can be polished. Polymer clays like Sculpey and Fimo are very receptive to polishing and can develop a high-gloss finish. Air-dry clays like Crayola Model Magic can achieve more of a satin sheen. Real ceramic clays require glazing and firing in a kiln to become glassy and shiny.

No matter what type of clay you are working with, sealing and polishing the surface will help enhance its natural smoothness and give it an appealing luster. In this guide, we will explore the most effective techniques and materials for making your clay creations shine.

Sealing Clay

Before applying anything to make clay shiny, it’s important to properly seal it first. Sealing clay serves multiple purposes – it hardens the clay, protects the surface from elements that could damage it over time, and provides a smooth base layer for adding shine. There are a few common sealers used for clay:

Polyurethane – This is the most popular sealer for clay. It provides a hard, protective coating that stands up well over time. Polyurethane comes in various finishes from matte to high gloss.

Acrylic – Acrylic sealers are non-toxic and fast-drying. They provide a good seal for clay though may scratch easier than polyurethane over time. Acrylics also come in various sheens.

Epoxy resin – Epoxy is extremely durable and provides a thick, glass-like coating. It requires mixing two parts together correctly during application.

Wax – Wax can be used as a sealer for clay but does not provide as hard of a protective barrier as other options. Wax will need to be reapplied over time.

Wax

Wax is a popular sealant for clay. It provides a protective coating and can give clay a subtle sheen. There are a few types of wax commonly used:

• Beeswax – Made from honeycomb, beeswax has a natural yellowish color. It leaves a matte look on clay.
• Carnauba wax – Derived from palm leaves, carnauba wax is harder than beeswax. It results in a glossy finish.
• Paraffin wax – A petroleum byproduct, paraffin wax is highly refined. It gives a smooth, plastic-like shine.

To apply wax to clay:

1. Make sure the clay is completely clean and dry first.
2. Rub a small amount of wax directly onto the clay piece using a rag or brush. Apply in a thin, even coat.
3. Buff the wax thoroughly with a lint-free cloth to create an even shine and remove any excess.
4. Allow the wax to fully cure for 24 hours before handling.

Wax is easy to apply and buff out. It provides a subtle sheen but doesn’t result in a glossy wet-look finish. Wax also wears away over time and needs to be reapplied. Some clays, like polymer clay, may react poorly to wax causing stickiness.

Resin

Using a liquid resin like polyester resin or epoxy resin is a great way to give your clay piece a smooth, glossy shine. These two-part resins contain a resin and a hardener that must be precisely mixed together according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once mixed, the resin can be brushed or poured directly onto the baked clay piece. The resin will self-level and cure into a durable, crystal clear coating that really makes the clay colors pop. Just make sure to work in a well-ventilated area since the fumes from these resins can be strong. It’s best to apply resin in thin coats, allowing each coat to fully cure before adding another. Too thick of a coat can cause cracking or clouding. Resin gives clay pieces a bright, glossy, smooth finish that brings out the best in the clay’s colors and patterns.

Oil

Using special oils like linseed, tung, or mineral oil can create a lovely sheen on your clay pieces. These types of oils soak into the clay and bring out a subtle shine from within.

Some tips when using oil for a shine effect:

• Rub the oil thoroughly into the baked clay piece using your fingers, a soft cloth, or cotton balls. Allow it to fully soak in.
• Let the clay soak in the oil for at least a few hours or overnight. The longer the better, so the clay is saturated.
• Wipe away any excess oil after soaking to avoid a greasy feel. Buff with a soft cloth.
• Apply thin layers of oil and build up slowly for the best results. Thick layers may feel sticky.
• Consider mixing a few drops of oil into liquid polymer clay before baking for shine throughout.

Oils create a luminous finish that brings out the natural beauty of polymer clay. Just remember to prep the clay properly and allow ample soak time.

Shellac

Shellac is a natural resin secreted by the female lac bug. It has been used for centuries as a sealant, varnish, and wood finish. When applied to clay, shellac forms a hard, protective coating that enhances the natural color and shine of the clay.

Shellac is an excellent choice for finishing polymer clay, air dry clay, and fired clays. It provides a smooth, glass-like surface and slight amber tint. Shellac brings out subtle colors and patterns in clay that may not be noticeable otherwise. It also gives clay pieces a bright, lustrous shine.

To apply shellac to clay:

• Start with thoroughly dried, cured clay free of dust and debris.
• Using a brush or cloth, apply a thin coat of shellac. Allow to dry completely.
• Lightly sand the surface with fine grit sandpaper and wipe away dust.
• Apply another 1-2 thin coats of shellac, allowing each coat to dry in between.
• After the final coat dries, buff the surface with a soft cloth to bring out a high-gloss shine.

Applying multiple thin layers of shellac allows the finish to fully cure and prevents brush strokes or drips. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area since shellac has a strong odor as it dries. With proper application, shellac provides clay creations with a smooth, durable, glass-like shine.

Varnish

Varnish is a clear finish that can be brushed or sprayed onto baked polymer clay to give it a glossy, glass-like shine. Polymer clay artists often use polyurethane, acrylic varnish or epoxy resin to seal and protect finished pieces.

Before applying varnish, make sure the clay is fully cured and has a smooth, flawless surface. Apply thin coats of varnish with a soft brush, allowing each coat to fully dry before adding the next. Too many thick layers may cause drips or bubbles in the varnish.

Polyurethane varnish provides the highest gloss shine but tends to yellow over time. Acrylic varnish dries clearer and resists yellowing, but has a less glassy finish. Artists may apply multiple coats of acrylic varnish to build up a thicker gloss.

No matter what type of varnish is used, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and allow the piece to cure completely before handling. Varnish locks in the shine and protects polymer clay artwork from moisture, scratches and UV damage.

Buffing

After applying a sealant or top coat to your clay piece, you can use buffing to enhance the shine. Buffing is the process of rubbing the surface with an abrasive material under pressure. This friction causes the surface to become warmer and softer, leveling out tiny scratches and imperfections to create an ultra smooth finish.

Soft cloths and paper towels can be used for buffing by hand. For best results, use a buffing wheel or bob attached to a rotary tool like a Dremel. Buffing wheels are usually made of tightly packed cotton or muslin. As the wheel spins across the surface, the fibers heat and burnish the coating for a glassy shine.

It’s important not to over-buff or you may cut through the sealant layer. Work in small sections using moderate pressure. A polishing compound can be used on the buffing wheel to increase the abrasive cutting action. Keep the surface wet while buffing by applying a lubricant like mineral oil, vaseline, or wax. This prevents friction buildup and scratches.

Proper buffing and polishing takes patience but can bring clay pieces to a remarkable glossy finish. Always ensure pieces are fully cured before attempting to buff or you may damage the clay.

Glaze

One of the most popular ways to make clay shiny is by applying a glaze before firing. Ceramic glazes contain glass-forming chemicals that melt during the high heat of kiln firing, creating a glossy coating.

There are many premixed glaze options available at craft stores, but you can also make your own recipes. Most glazes contain 3 main ingredients – a glass former like silica or gerstley borate, a flux like calcium carbonate to lower melting temperature, and an alkali like sodium or potassium to facilitate melting. Recipes usually specify combining the dry ingredients, then mixing with water to create a smooth consistency before applying.

To apply glaze, first make sure bare clay is free of dust. Use a soft brush, sponge, or pouring to coat the clay with an even layer of glaze. Focus on horizontal surfaces, leaving vertical surfaces mostly bare. Too much glaze can cause drips or crawling. Let the glaze dry completely before firing according to the temperature recommended on the glaze package or recipe.

Fired glazes produce a hard, impervious glass coating that adds a brilliant sheen to finished clay pieces. With the right glaze recipe and application technique, you can get beautiful, long-lasting shine on your clay creations.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several effective options for making clay sculptures shine, depending on the desired finish and look. Wax and oil provide a subtle sheen, while shellac, varnish, glaze, and resin create a high-gloss effect. For long-lasting shine, applying a protective sealer as a base coat is recommended before adding any finish.

To maintain shine over time, keep clay pieces out of direct sunlight which can cause finishes to fade or discolor. Store finished sculptures in a dust-free environment to prevent dulling from particulate buildup. Occasionally dusting with a soft cloth helps preserve shine. When gloss starts diminishing, reapply wax, oil, or varnish coats as needed to restore luster.

With proper sealing and care, clay sculptures can retain their brilliant shine for many years. The finishing options provide artists and crafters versatile methods for making their clay creations gleam beautifully.