While both epoxy and UV resin have broad acceptance and use in the polymer clay community ( read my article on resin here), more people are becoming aware that resin isn’t the perfect solution. Resin can be messy, it has a short shelf life, and it eventually turns yellow. In addition, many people are looking for resin alternatives because of the health concerns that come with using resin. Resin can be highly allergenic and cause serious reactions. So this article discusses several alternative ways that you can create a glossy surface on polymer clay that doesn’t use resin. Resin If you want to create a shiny surface on plain, smooth polymer clay, there is no better approach than to create a sanded and buffed finish. This technique enhances the natural beauty of polymer clay, has a wonderful tactile feel, and avoids the chemical and performance issues that you face when adding a product to the surface of polymer clay. Metallic clays are enhanced and come to life when they’re sanded and buffed, too. Final Thoughts One last category is company brand sealers. Depending on the company and product their prices can vary greatly as does their quality. As these are proprietary mixes normally designed to be used with specific clays. You will have to make your own determination as to how well they will suit your project and if they are worth the cost. How to Seal Air Dry Clay

Common brands of epoxy resin are Envirotex Lite, Easy Cast, Amazing Clear Cast, Little Windows, and ICE Resin. Doming, Coating, and Casting Resins I was delighted to receive a little parcel in the post and on opening it found 3 pendants of various shapes and sizes, 3 different types o f rings, 2 bracelets and 4 different coloured clays with a huge assortment of round crystals or “chatons” to play with.So, how can you make air dry clay waterproof? While air dry clay can’t be completely waterproof, you can make it water-resistant by applying 1-3 coats of varnish, acrylic or water-based paint, Mod Podge, or liquid epoxy resin to the final product.However, these materials are not food-safe. It’s important to note that none of the methods for making air dry clay water-resistant are safe for food. Never use air dry clay pottery for food or drinks of any kind as you will run the risk of toxic materials leaking into the food or drink you consume.

Due to its delicate and absorbing nature, air dry clay can never truly be waterproof. However, there are seals and finishes you can apply to air-dry clay to give it a water-resistant quality. It won’t be able to hold water for a long period of time but will withstand a rainstorm or light washing. Another source of this type of brush-on resin is sold by Teresa Salgado in her Tiny Pandora shop. Teresa calls this Deep Shine. This is a UV cure resin that’s thin enough to brush on with a brush. Troubles with Resin

Doodlecraft

Liquid Fusion is a urethane glue that is slightly amber-colored and crystal clear. It can be poured onthe surface of flat polymer clay and left to dry. It will take several days, but you’ll be left with a smooth, glossy, hard finish similar to resin. Sanding and Buffing

Any holes or missed patches in the varnish seal will weaken the water resistance and make your pottery more susceptible to water damage. Acrylic Or Water-Based Paints We love Krylon Crystal Clear because of its ease of application and the fact it is more water-resistant and resists clouding better than most other acrylic varnishes.Crystal Clay is AMAZINGLY easy to work with. It’s a 2 part clay, like epoxy resin. The two parts are 1 part richly coloured clay and 1 part epoxy, equal parts of which have to be combined and kneaded together before being pressed into your favourite setting before placing the crystals into the clay in a pattern of your choice. If you’re looking for a sealant to use for an indoor piece of pottery, however, white glue or Mod Podge will be just fine. There’s no need for the high level of protection that outdoor pottery requires. The most expensive coatings to use on air-dry clay are epoxy resin. In fact, depending on the brand they can be quite a bit higher. The thing is, you get what you pay for. Although it offers lower protection, Mod Podge is great because it’s so easy to apply. Simply apply it to your pottery with a brush and allow it to air dry. Once it’s had time to fully dry, display it anywhere inside your home. Resinsare quite hard after curing and are crystal clear. The surface will be extremely glossy and can’t be easily peeled or lifted from a project. While you can apply resin to curved pieces, it is an advanced technique, so I only recommend applying resin to flat pieces until you have a really good feel for how to use it. Resin is lovely on sparkly or mica-covered projects as it will intensify the sparkle. Resin is a rewarding finish, but it has a huge learning curve, and your first few projects will likely incur a few tears and swear words. Always apply resin after baking your polymer clay project. It cannot be baked. There are three types of clear-coat resins as follows.

Always allow your air-dry clay to dry completely before applying any of these sealants. Although your air-dry clay will feel dry to the touch after 24 hours, it’s best to leave it alone for 72 hours to allow for a full cure. Note: there are many types of casting resins such as PMMA, acetal resin, and polyester resin, but they’re entirely different chemicals and usually used for completely different purposes than epoxy and UV resins.) What is Doming Resin?Epoxy resin has two parts, one part being the resin material and the other part being the hardener (the catalyst). When the two parts (typically labeled A and B) are mixed in the correct proportions, the chemical reaction is catalyzed, and hardening begins. The first thing is you can’t rush the drying of your clay. Our best advice is to allow your air-dry clay projects to dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and then give them an extra 24-48 hours to make sure it is completely dry.