In this article we are going to discuss about the topic painting polymer clay. What is painting polymer clay? There are many forms and types of arts and crafts, all offering fun ways to create new things. Painting clay is one of these amazing and fun activities everyone can enjoy. Polymer clay is a popular choice as you can put it into the oven to cure.

You can also paint polymer clay and create details for jewelry, beads, miniature figures, and lots more. When painting clay you can also imitate various materials like wood. There are numerous possibilities for creativity but let us now focus on painting polymer clay. It is getting an interesting on this flow.

Painting Polymer Clay

Let’s get an idea on the form of a video on the topic painting polymer clay.

What Is Polymer Clay?

The polymer clay is made from polymers, resins, fillers, and, in some cases, coloring agents. The clay is not a natural product and has polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as its base.

Everybody can use polymer clay, although supervising younger children is advised. Polymer clay is even used by professional artists like those in the cinema industry.

Types Of Paint Polymer Clay

In painting polymer clay there are two types. They are.

Acrylic paint: These can work well but tend to take a long time to dry and can be applied to cured clay. But it needs to be re-cured to set the paint.

Alcoholic paint: These are made of dye that is dissolved in an alcohol base. These can be added into or applied to the surface of the raw clay, or they can be painted onto the baked clay.

How To Color Polymer Clay?

Depending on how you color your clay, it will affect the outcome. So, if you use water or alcohol-based colors, the colors might come out less vibrant than if you use color pigments to mix into the clay.

The color pigments should offer more vibrant and stronger colors. You can also use different types of inks like acrylic or alcohol inks, foils, finely shaved crayon shavings, and paint markers to create unique ideas.

How To Paint Polymer Clay?

To paint polymer clay the following steps are.

Take your clay and mold it.
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bake the clay in the oven, different clays may have different baking times so always read the instructions.
Take out of the oven and let it cool down before painting.
A hot or warm surface can cause the paint not to adhere.
Apply two thin layers of Sculpey glaze with a brush.

Each layer should be allowed to dry for an hour before the next layer is added. Once done, wait three hours for the glaze to fully cure before painting. Use 150-grit sandpaper and gently sand the surface until it feels slightly rough.

Do not overdo the sanding, you do not want to remove the glaze. This is simply to provide better surface adherence for the paint. Clean and remove any dust. Go ahead with your polymer painting using acrylic paint for the first coat.

Apply the paint in thin layers, to prevent brushstrokes. The first layer should dry for two hours before applying a second layer and allow to dry again for two hours before managing.

Problems And Polymer Painting

Since the polymer is not absorbent, paint cannot be absorbed like it does when painting on paper. Paint will remain on top of the clay, which makes it is more likely that the paint will eventually peel or chip.

Some paints adhere more effectively than others to different types of clay. You can improve how the paint adheres to the surface by simply lightly sanding the surface with 400 to 500-grit paper.

Also, applying paint to raw polymer clay and then baking it is best, as the paint adheres better than after the clay has been baked.

Frequently Asked Questions On Painting Polymer Clay

1. Why is my polymer clay sticky after painting?

Polymer clay is a plasticized vinyl that can have a chemical reaction with the products used on it. If the paint contains plastic (and most acrylic paints do), the plasticizer that makes the polymer clay flexible can also soften the paint, making it sticky.

2. What is polymer in paint?

A polymer coating is a thin layered coating or paint made with polymers that provide superior adherence and protection from corrosion. A polymer is a molecule made by joining together many small molecules called monomers that are made up of a large number of similar units.

3. How long does a polymer coating last?

The polymer paint sealant applied is heat resistant to 400 degrees, has very good UV protection and offers a very high gloss shine. Protection easily lasts nine months to one year with average washing maintenance and in some cases up to sixteen months with proper care.

4. What is acrylic polymer used for?

Acrylic emulsion polymers are readily formulated into overprint varnishes and inks to impart water resistance, rub resistance, alkaline resistance, and high gloss. They also can be incorporated into barrier coatings for paper and paperboard products, improving oil, grease and water resistance.

5. Do I need to seal acrylic paint on polymer clay?

Do I need to seal acrylic paint on polymer clay? No you don’t have to seal polymer clay. After baking and fully curing polymer clay, it is water-resistant and has a natural semi-matte finish.

Also Read Here: Painting on glass window.

Conclusion

When you’re working with Sculpey clay, we recommend using our glazes to finish off your creations. Apply two to three thin coats, waiting at least 30 minutes between each layer.

We offer two glaze finishes, perfect for different results for your creations. Sometimes, you will even need to experiment to see what happens, but for now, here are a few common issues people have experienced.

You can also try creating other mixed media pieces besides applying paints with painting polymer clay. For example, adding metals or glass into the clay. For now, let us look at a few painting effects.

This is because when you paint unbaked polymer clay, some paints may still contain moisture which could lead to bubbles after baking. To help with this, leave your painted polymer clay item to dry for at least two to three days before baking.
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