Video #708: Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS) vs Sculpey Bake & Bond vs Kato Liquid Polyclay vs Fimo Liquid Gel.
In this video I will compare the differences between 4 brands of liquid polymer clay. Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS), Sculpey Bake & Bond, Kato Liquid Polyclay and Fimo Liquid Gel.
All 4 of these are liquid polymer clays that have to be baked to cure. Liquid clays can be used to do image transfers, molded pieces, coatings, glazes, adhesive, mixed with solid clays to soften or make icings, mixed with chalks or mica powders, used to polymerize fabric and paper, etc., etc.
I show examples of pieces from past tutorials where I have used liquid polymer clay.
TLS, Bake & Bond and Kato Liquid, all start milky and bake up translucent. Fimo Liquid starts out as a clear gel and bakes the clearest. Kato is the next clearest, with TLS and Bake & Bond baking up the least translucent.
Both Kato and Fimo are fairly shiny when baked, though Fimo has a slight pitting to the surface. Both TLS and Bake & Bond bake up to a matte finish, though they can be brought to a shine by sanding and buffing them.
Kato Liquid has a slight yellowish tinge when baked and Fimo has a slightly white tint. I didn’t mention it in this video, but I am guessing that the whitish look comes from UV enhancers, since I hear that Fimo liquid glows under UV light.
All four clays can be used with pretty much any brand of clay, since they all have a bit of a range in temperatures at which they will cure at. The recommended temperature for TLS, B&B, and Kato are 275F and for Fimo 265F. Though all of them will bake at quite a bit higher temps (up to 300F+) with quite good results. In fact many clayers will bump up the baking temps of their liquid polymer clays, to improve clarity. This needs to be done with caution if combining with sold polymer clays though, because the solid clays will scorch at higher temps.
I show examples of all four brands of polymer clay that were baked for 30 minutes at 275F. I also show the strength of the baked liquid clays and the clarity of each sample after baking.
As far as value goes, TLS and B&B are the most widely available in retail as well as online, and are the least expensive of the four liquid clays tested. Kato Liquid Polyclay is the next highest in price, and is available in limited retail locations, and online. Fimo Liquid is the most expensive and is available in both retail and online. It is more readily available in Europe than in North America.
- Related Video: Polymerized Fabric Roses Tutorial
- Related Video: Faux Opal Bake & Bond Technique
- Related Video: Liquid Sculpey vs Sculpey Bake and Bond Test Results
- Related Video: Faux Enamel and Viking Knit Polymer Clay Tutorial
Do you have any suggestions for videos on tips, techniques or products you would like to learn more about? Let me know in the comments section below!
My goal is to help you to learn quicker and easier ways to bring up the professionalism in your polymer clay art.
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Ah, so wonderful to see the return of Dr. Cindy in the lab coat….testing, testing, all for us.
A great summary of the liquid clays, I learned a great deal. I have bottles of all but FIMO, and they are absolutely ancient, so I wonder what one would use to thin them and/or reactivate them? Does anyone have any ideas?
This will be the winter of polymer clay. Cannot wait to experiement with them!
I’ve had good luck thinning out Kato liquid clay with the Sculpey clay softener. I’d guess that should work with TLS as well. Bake n bond is intentionally thicker I think, since it’s meant to be more of a glue, but you could try adding clay softener to that as well.
Thanks, Krithika! Appreciate the help!
I have all the liquid clays, I use each for different things and when I want different finishes: TLS for a matte finish, Kato polyclay for a shiny finish.
I used to use Bake n bond when I wanted to attach two pieces of clay, but I’m liking Kato poly paste much more for that now. It’s a lot thicker, so pieces don’t move around. I was putting together a gingerbread house with baked clay wall and roof pieces and poly paste actually held things in place as it baked. Bake n bond made things slide all over the place.
Kato liquid clay comes in a giant 8 oz bottle that’s great value for money. I’m probably going to get that when the bottle I have runs out.
Just in time! I was wonderng about these liquid clays! I want to make window clings and I think I’ll try the liquid Fimo. I have made some before with TLS but mine is a little old. I may try like Krithika suggested and add clay softner to thin it a bit. One question I have for you, Cindy, is have you figured out how to keep some of the clay colors from darkening after baking? I lowered the temp of my oven to 250 F and it seemed to help. I’m a little concerned that thick pieces may not cure enough. So, I let them cool and re-bake at 250 F a second time. Just wonder if you have a better solution.
Hi Catalina, sorry to take so long to respond to your question. I wouldn’t lower your temp to keep the color from darkening… that is just going to make your pieces weak. Try doing it with a touch of white or even some translucent. That should help the light get into your clay a bit and make it appear a little lighter. Hope that helps!
Thank you for this comparison! I was coating paper using the TLS. ugh. It yellowed way to much to be pretty on the lighter colors. I am going to try the fimo…THANKS TO YOU! I am so glad to be a part of this class! Again thank you.
Hi Laurie, that is odd about your TLS yellowing… I haven’t had a problem with that. The Fimo definitely stays white though, so if that will work better for your situation, then definitely go for it!
Hi Cindy
A bit late I’m afraid, but just wanted to thank you for this test of the liquid polymer clays. I was particularly interested in the Fimo as I’m keen to try it to get a sort of enamel look. It seems that mixing Fimo LC with pastel chalks could result in a fabulous, clear colour with a beautiful shine. I’m just about to try this with some cut-outs and keeping my fingers crossed that I can keep the liquid in the open areas and not have it seeping underneath and mixing with the colour ‘next door’. Maybe it would work if I pasted the clay with a very light coat of Fimo first, then stuck on the cut-out while it’s still tacky. And then, when dry, fill in the openings with the chalk coloured Fimo?
Thanks again. As always you are a mine of information – and, after the 6 years I’ve been with you, still coming up with new ideas, projects and advice for best results! How lucky we all are!
Marion
Thank you so much Marion for saying that! It means more to us than you know!! Let us know how your experimenting goes. Your project sounds like a fun one!
Hi Cindy and All. I’m planning a project using liquid clay. I’ve only used TLS but want to try FIMO. Does anyone know if “Fimo Liquid Decorating Gel” is Fimo liquid polymer clay, or is it a different formula? I haven’t been able to find an answer. Thanks much!
I believe they are the same product, just different packaging and name change Dawn. Go ahead and use whichever one it is that you find. They should do the same thing! :)