Comments on: Polymer Clay Finishes – Which One Is Best? http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/ "Make What You Love... Love What You Make!" Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:54:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kate P http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57903 Kate P Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:47:10 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57903 Hi there Cindy, I live in New Zealand and I have just purchased a varnish called Cabots Cabothane Clear. It is an interior water based varnish for doors and windows etc. It is a polyurethane varnish. I'm thinking it must be the same as the Varathane which we can't get here. Is a polyurethane varnish the right kind? Thanks so much. Hi there Cindy, I live in New Zealand and I have just purchased a varnish called Cabots Cabothane Clear. It is an interior water based varnish for doors and windows etc. It is a polyurethane varnish. I’m thinking it must be the same as the Varathane which we can’t get here. Is a polyurethane varnish the right kind? Thanks so much.

]]> By: Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57542 Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:14:14 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57542 Unfortunately Nancy, the only way to know for sure whether the product is indeed the same, is to test it yourself (or read about someone else's tests, like Nikki shared above). I haven't used the product in the new packaging myself, so I am afraid I can't help you there. Hopefully someone else here has and can help you. Unfortunately Nancy, the only way to know for sure whether the product is indeed the same, is to test it yourself (or read about someone else’s tests, like Nikki shared above). I haven’t used the product in the new packaging myself, so I am afraid I can’t help you there. Hopefully someone else here has and can help you.

]]> By: Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57541 Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:09:27 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57541 Thank you Nikki for coming back here and reporting your findings on the problems using the Minwax water based finish. Finishes can be tricky about being incompatible with polymer clay, so your information is extremely helpful! Thanks again for going the extra mile for us all! Thank you Nikki for coming back here and reporting your findings on the problems using the Minwax water based finish. Finishes can be tricky about being incompatible with polymer clay, so your information is extremely helpful! Thanks again for going the extra mile for us all!

]]> By: Nancy Huntley http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57454 Nancy Huntley Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:10:16 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57454 I appreciate all your information on the Rust Olium diamond verathane and the Future floor finish. Sorry to say I haven't been able to find either locally. I did find Rust Olium waterbase crystal clear interior Heavy Use formula. The store told me that it is the same as Diamond only the label has been changed. do you know anything about this? I would like to know as I have several baked buttons and charms waiting to be finished and I would hate to use the wrong product. Thank you, Nancy Huntley I appreciate all your information on the Rust Olium diamond verathane and the Future floor finish. Sorry to say I haven’t been able to find either locally. I did find Rust Olium waterbase crystal clear interior Heavy Use formula. The store told me that it is the same as Diamond only the label has been changed. do you know anything about this? I would like to know as I have several baked buttons and charms waiting to be finished and I would hate to use the wrong product.
Thank you,
Nancy Huntley

]]> By: Nikki S http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57158 Nikki S Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:06:27 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57158 (I posted this on the "Future Floor Polish" page, but I thought I'd put it here too just in case!) Hello! I’ve visited this page quite a bit in search of the best polymer clay glaze and so I thought I’d add what I’ve learned :) I’ve never been able to find Varathane here (I live in Orlando), and so I went in search of something else. I found a Minwax water based finish (this one: minwax.com/wood-products/interior-clear-protective-finishes/minwax-polycrylic-protective-finish) and decided to try that. It goes on well, and it leaves a really nice glossy shine. However, after about 2 weeks of wearing (I put it on a necklace that touches my skin), the piece loses all its shine. It appears as if the Minwax wears off. This occurs even after I bake it to set it. I have one piece that does not touch the skin, and so far there are no signs of losing its glossiness. So maybe Minwax is only suitable for pieces that don’t come into direct contact with skin? I hope this helps someone else out there! Meanwhile, I’ll continue my search for another glaze to use. (I posted this on the “Future Floor Polish” page, but I thought I’d put it here too just in case!)

Hello!

I’ve visited this page quite a bit in search of the best polymer clay glaze and so I thought I’d add what I’ve learned :)

I’ve never been able to find Varathane here (I live in Orlando), and so I went in search of something else. I found a Minwax water based finish (this one: minwax.com/wood-products/interior-clear-protective-finishes/minwax-polycrylic-protective-finish) and decided to try that. It goes on well, and it leaves a really nice glossy shine. However, after about 2 weeks of wearing (I put it on a necklace that touches my skin), the piece loses all its shine. It appears as if the Minwax wears off. This occurs even after I bake it to set it.

I have one piece that does not touch the skin, and so far there are no signs of losing its glossiness. So maybe Minwax is only suitable for pieces that don’t come into direct contact with skin?

I hope this helps someone else out there! Meanwhile, I’ll continue my search for another glaze to use.

]]> By: Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57118 Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:52:53 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57118 That sucks Don. Did you try and thaw it out? Was it still able to mix or did it stay separated? This is another one of those cases where you would have to test it to be sure. You could also try contacting the manufacturer, though they would most likely suggest you buy a new can. Though you never know. Do come back and let us know what happens with this one. Now you've got me curious! That sucks Don. Did you try and thaw it out? Was it still able to mix or did it stay separated? This is another one of those cases where you would have to test it to be sure. You could also try contacting the manufacturer, though they would most likely suggest you buy a new can. Though you never know. Do come back and let us know what happens with this one. Now you’ve got me curious!

]]> By: Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57117 Polymer Clay Tutor Cindy Lietz Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:49:08 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-57117 Well Ricky I would like to say it would work but I am not too sure it would. There are many compatibility issues that come up with using spray finishes, mostly due to the propellants used in them. The only way to be sure that something like this would work for you since I have not tested that myself, would be to do a long term test of the method you are suggesting. Do a sample and let it sit for at least 6 months. Many of us in the polymer clay industry have tried different finishes that appear to work, only to have them start having chemical reactions months down the road. That is not to say this would not work. You just would need to try it first. If you do test it, be sure to come back and let us know how it went. This kind of information is invaluable to the community as a whole! Well Ricky I would like to say it would work but I am not too sure it would. There are many compatibility issues that come up with using spray finishes, mostly due to the propellants used in them. The only way to be sure that something like this would work for you since I have not tested that myself, would be to do a long term test of the method you are suggesting.

Do a sample and let it sit for at least 6 months. Many of us in the polymer clay industry have tried different finishes that appear to work, only to have them start having chemical reactions months down the road.

That is not to say this would not work. You just would need to try it first. If you do test it, be sure to come back and let us know how it went. This kind of information is invaluable to the community as a whole!

]]> By: Don F http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-56835 Don F Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:44:42 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-56835 I accidentally allowed my can of Varathane Diamond Wood Finish to freeze. On opening it, I found it still liquid, but filled with ice crystals. Should I give up and buy a new can? Thanks. I accidentally allowed my can of Varathane Diamond Wood Finish to freeze. On opening it, I found it still liquid, but filled with ice crystals. Should I give up and buy a new can?

Thanks.

]]> By: Ricky L http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-56672 Ricky L Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:27:14 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-56672 If I coat the sculpey clay figure with VARATHANE water based sealer and let dry 24 hours CAN I then "use any type spray paint as a final color coating"? Thank you much. If I coat the sculpey clay figure with VARATHANE water based sealer and let dry 24 hours CAN I then “use any type spray paint as a final color coating”? Thank you much.

]]> By: Linda M http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-55651 Linda M Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:17:47 +0000 http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/polymer-clay-finishes/98/#comment-55651 Hi, again, just wanted to let you know that I talked to an engineer at RustOleum about their Varathane. We also talked about the exterior type and he said it wouldn't be good for my jewelry, but I couldn't remember why he said that. It seems it was softer or something when dry. Anyway, he said the indoor Varathane would be better. Hope this helps. The Product Support number on the RusteOleum website is (877) 385-8155. You can call yourself and talk to them about your particular usage. Hi, again, just wanted to let you know that I talked to an engineer at RustOleum about their Varathane. We also talked about the exterior type and he said it wouldn’t be good for my jewelry, but I couldn’t remember why he said that. It seems it was softer or something when dry. Anyway, he said the indoor Varathane would be better. Hope this helps. The Product Support number on the RusteOleum website is (877) 385-8155. You can call yourself and talk to them about your particular usage.

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