Finishing Polymer Clay Beads with Future Floor Polish

Future Floor Finish is compatible with polymer clay, but not all finishes are. Some will never dry. Some will seem like they dried and then some time later become sticky. Some quickly become yellow and then crack. So don't ruin your beautiful work by covering it with something that is not compatible.

Cindy's last blog post..Baking Polymer Clay Pendants in a Ceramic Tile Sandwich

I just posted some more info about future floor polish and varathane finishes for polymer clay beads over at the following link…

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Polymer Clay Finishes – Which One is Best

I spend a weekend looking all over New York City for Future Floor Polish. Well not all of NY, but a number of places. Home Depot, Target and K-mart carry "Pledge with the Future Shine". I was not sure if the formula still works with polymer clay or not. When I final decided to buy it the store was too crowded. I know Varathane(sp) works but it comes in gallon cans. I wanted something smaller. I purchased a can of stuff that said it was "Polyacrylic". I will have to test it and see if it works okay.

Oh Cassandra, what a pain that must be for you! It's funny how a dinky little Safeway grocery store 5 min from me in Surrey BC would have it and no where in NYC would… Figures!!!

I have heard of people having problems with the 'Pledge with Future' though. Something about a surfactant or a grease cutter in it, so it is probably not worth the risk.

Anyways you can buy both the Future Floor Finish and the quart sized Varathane online. Read this previos post for info and the links for them: Polymer Clay Finishes

Hopefully that helps.

Thank You. Is there much information about Minwax – Polyacrylic? I found it a a Home Depot. I liked the word "polyacrylic", so I purchased some. I have not figured out how to speed up the time test of "does it get sticky several months later". I tried a sample piece and put it in the oven. I looks good. But will it stay good. I would be interested in hearing out peoples' experience with that particular product.

Cassandra, unfortunately many people have had problems with the Minwax. If humidity is high it can get very sticky and many people find it scratches way too easily. Some people have found the stickiness to go away eventually, but I really would not recommend it for your beads. Sorry about that. If you can't find the Varathane or Future in a local store, why don't you buy them online? I do have links in this "Polymer Clay Finishes" article where you can buy them through Amazon.

Hi Cindy :) I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.
I made a little container to hold some hair pins a few days ago. After I baked it, I used Future finish (I love it!!!). I have decided that I would like the little container to be a bit taller. I would like to know if it is OK to bake it again after I have made it more like I want it, even though I already applied the Future finish on it once.

Thanks for all that you do! you are amazing :)
Sincerely, Cindy

Hi Cindy! Yeah you can bake it again. Just make sure to watch the temp. that it doesn't get too hot. Also where you want to add more clay sand off the Future so it has a place to stick. It can also help if you rub the baked clay with a little Vaseline or baby oil where you want to add raw clay. This will help them bond better.

Let me know how it goes…

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Thank you, Cindy…I will let you know how adding the clay to my piece, using your tips, works.

I wanted to let you know that I found a place on the web that says that Pledge with Future shine is the same thing as the old Future Floor Polish. Here is the URL to see it: airline-hobby.us/forums/showthread.php?t=815

I have been using the Pledge with Future shine for about a week now, thinking that it was the same thing as the Future that you have talked about here (because I saw the above info myself), and so far I love it. Of course, if it really is not the same thing, I guess time will tell. I am wondering if because C. S. Johnson supposedly changed the name of the product, perhaps this is why people seem to be having such a hard time finding it. Hope this sheds some light…

Sincerely, Cindy Erickson

Sorry Cindy, somehow I missed this comment. (I think I read your name and thought it was one of my own comments!)

You're right the product has changed. I haven't had a chance to try the new one yet because I still have quite a bit of the old stuff. But I have seen the change on the shelf.

Since you are not having any problems it should be OK. I am hoping the formula is the same because that would be a huge pain if it wasn't. Let me know if you see any changes so I can pass it on.

Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention!

Cindy Lietz's last blog post..Cool Polymer Clay Tutorial – A Fimo and Sculpey Cane Making Tip

Can you Please tell me where I can get Future Floor Finish or similar in the UK I live in West Sussex Thanks Ann

Hi Ann! Click the link by my name and read the comment in full. One of my readers from the UK gave us the info you are looking for in her comment.

I called the 800 number on the "Pledge Future" and the women I talked to said it was the same formula. I am new to bead making so I would not know if it is good or not. I love the information you provide. Thank you, Marlowe

Thank you for passing that information along Marlowe! That is very good to know!

Hi Cindy,

I have a big problem with my pieces I used the pledge shiny for finishing my pieces, but now they are peeling I have many pieces with this problem. I look for people in Memphis Tennessee working with polymer clay but I don't find them. If you now help me please.

Know I try to do my web site with my husband is waalay.com

I want to know what do you think? Thank you so much!! My first language is Spanish but I try with my English. Thank you so much for your help.

Hi Marita! Your work is beautiful!

I am not sure what is happening to your pieces peeling like that. Is it Pledge with Future or something else? Are they sanded and buffed before they are coated in Pledge? Was there any oils or powders on the clay that may be preventing the coating from sticking? Have you tried baking the pieces again for awhile to get the coating to sink in?

This info will help me to be able to help you.

You could try and use Studio by Sculpey Glaze instead if you are still having trouble. It works really well and is made for polymer clay. There is a link by my name that will take you to a post about it.

It's been a while since there have been any posts on this blog, but I thought I'd chime in for what it's worth. I have been using Future on my pendants and I use the dipping method. I pour Future into a waxed paper drinking glass. I dip the pendant, let it drip a few seconds and then hold it just about touching a piece of paper towel. The paper towel seems to just suck up the excess that would result in an unsightly drip. Sometimes I have to repeat the paper towel bit but it sure is easier than brushing on the Future, or having to sand off the bottom drip. When I'm done with a session of dipping, I pour the rest of the Future back into the bottle. The paper cup holds up to quite a few sessions before I feel it is time to replace it.

I also have found that one dipping leaves the piece with a gentle shine, whereas two coats gives a very high gloss. For two coats I follow Future's instructions and wait at least 8 hours (or overnight) before I apply the second coat. I also make sure there is absolutely no tackiness left on the pieces when I bake them. This all takes time but it sure doesn't take much effort!

@carolyn:
Carolyn are you baking your pieces after you dip them in the future? I see above where Cindy suggests baking again after coating. Guess I haven't been reading close enough and didn't realize you could bake again after adding future. Is this the best way to do it? Love your idea on the paper towel. I guess I am finally going to have to find some future and try it.

Yes, I bake the pieces at about 200 degrees (maybe a little higher) for about 15 minutes after the Future is totally dry – usually overnight. I let them cool down in the oven before I take them out. Don't know that this is necessary but it seemed like a good idea – didn't want them to catch a chill!

Well that's it I am on the look out for future so I can give it a try. Thanks for the quick response Carolyn and re-warming the little darlings does sound like a good idea.

Hi Cindy

I am new to polymer clay bead making but am doing quite well and needing to varnish a number of beads all at once.. Even though I enjoy sitting on my couch watching tv, I would rather not have to sit there varnishing 100's of beads with 3-4 coats.. But that's life I suppose.. I am trying to get hold of the Varathane varnish but I am in the UK and cannot find it, nor find a site online which can deliver to me.. I wonder if you could suggest a site for me as I would like to try it out..

Also what a great site.. I read many posts and take on some good tips.. Thank you

Derek.