What are some paints safe for polymer clay?
Is there a paint I can use on polymer clay (Fimo, Sculpey, etc.) that is safe to use with both the clay? Is there a glaze I can buy to protect my sculptures that won't eat away at the clay/paint? Links to where the products can be purchased would be helpful.
Paints that are "safe" when used *directly* on (any brand of) polymer clay are generally water-based ones.
Paints that are petroleum-solvent based will eat into the clay over time (these are often called "enamels"), but also some acrylic *spray* paints can do the same thing especially if thick just because the bad stuff can be only in the propellant of a spray can.
The most common paint used for "painting over" baked polymer clay is acrylic paint. It usually requires two coats, or one primer then the color. Wiping the surface with alcohol to degrease it is usually a good idea.
You can use non-permanent water-based paints too but you'll have to seal them if you want them to be permanent.
Oil paints (artists oil paints, not "enamels") can be used too but they take much longer to dry than acrylics and also are more translcuent ..but can be good for some effects like "antiquing".
Alcohol inks are sometimes used to "paint" on polymer clay too, and there the alcohol will evaporate off leaving only pigment behind.
As with paints, use a water-based finish/sealer whenever it will be in direct contact with the clay (or over a non-permanent paint).
(If you need to use a non-water-base paint on clay, use a water-based sealer first and let dry, then you can use a non-waterbased one.)
The water-based sealers that are most often used by clayers are glossy (since the clay itself requires no sealer), though satin/matte might be used occasionally too under some circumstances.
The most common finishes are water-based "Varathane" (or any polyurethane), and Future floor polish.
Other things can be used but they may be more easily scratchable or more fiddly.
Polyform makes two acrylic gloss sealers, but the better one called Studio by Sculpey Glaze (which is probably just a polyurethane) is less available at the local level than the older (thick, gloppy) Sculpey Glaze (though that can be used too).
You can buy any of those things at any craft, hobby or art supply store, though the Varathane will be at some hardware stores instead, and Future will be at Target, etc.
You can read loads more about paints to use with polymer clay and also finishes to use with polymer clay on these two pages at my polymer clay "encyclopedia" website:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/paints.htm
(...click especially on *Preparing the Clay* and on *Acrylics*)
http://glassattic.com/polymer/finishes.htm
HTH, and have fun!
Diane B.
Polymer clay button www.fimo.web.tr
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Gr70 Fimo Polymer Clay 14mm Ball Flower Loose Beads 20X | US $4.99 | 15m |
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Gr73 Pink Fimo Polymer Clay Flower 14mm Loose Beads 5PC | US $1.88 | 20m |
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Gr65 Blue Fimo Polymer Clay Flower 14mm Loose Beads 5PC | US $1.88 | 20m |
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30pcs 110481+ Light Pink Flowers With Leaves Flatback Polymer Clay Beads 20mm | US $6.48 | 22m |
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100 Pcs Nail Art Cane DIY Mixed Fimo Polymer Clay Fruit Slice HB004 | US $.99 | 23m |
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40 Mixed Colors Cluster Flower Fimo Polymer Clay Beads 15mm Charms Lots 111725 | US $7.00 | 30m |
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30pcs FIMO Polymer Clay Beads Dot Pink & White Lotus Flowers 25mm 110336+ | US $5.98 | 30m |
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Yellow Red White Polymer Clay Flower European Beads 50X | US $7.99 | 30m |
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Orange Yellow Fimo Polymer Clay Flower Bracelet Bangle | US $2.99 | 30m |
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Gr102 Red Pink Fimo Polymer Clay Flower Loose Beads 20X | US $4.99 | 33m |
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Red White Fimo Polymer Clay Cell Beads Fit Bracelet 10X | US $4.99 | 33m |
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Violet Green Fimo Polymer Clay Flower Charm Beads 50PCS | US $7.99 | 36m |
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12x Loose Bead Charms Flower Fimo Polymer Clay 111028 | US $5.48 | 55m |
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Violet Pink White Fimo Polymer Clay European Beads 10PC | US $4.99 | 1h 2m |
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Purple White Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal Charm Beads 20PC | US $6.99 | 1h 14m |
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35x New Mixed Nail Art Fimo Rod Stick Decoration 250049 | US $4.71 | 1h 19m |
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Red White Fimo Polymer Clay Charm Bead Fit Bracelet 10X | US $4.99 | 1h 36m |
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Gr111 Blue Fimo Polymer Clay Flower European Beads 50PC | US $7.88 | 1h 36m |
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30x New Pretty Cyan Lotus Flower Charm 25mm Polymer Clay Beads Jewelry 111649 | US $5.48 | 1h 40m |
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Pink Flower Fimo Polymer Clay Charm European Bead 20X | US $3.88 | 2h 1m |
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Daisy Flower Fimo Polymer Clay European Charm Beads 50X | US $7.99 | 2h 2m |
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Gr106 Fimo Polymer Clay Flower European Charm Beads 10X | US $2.88 | 2h 2m |
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20x NEW Colors Flower Fimo Polymer Clay Jewelry Rings 18mm 250107 | US $4.98 | 2h 36m |
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10pcs Fimo Polymer clay pink flower Hair Jewelry Girl Hairpin FP06-5 | US $3.99 | 2h 54m |
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10pcs Fimo Polymer clay multi-color flower Hair Jewelry Girl Hairpin FP06-4 | US $3.99 | 2h 58m |
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10pcs Fimo Polymer clay rosy flower Hair Jewelry Girl Hairpin FP06-3 | US $3.99 | 3h 3m |
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10pcs Fimo Polymer clay orange flower Hair Jewelry Girl Hairpin FP06-2 | US $1.25 | 3h 8m |
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Lot of 100 Nail Art Cane Clay Flower Slice DIY Mixed Fimo Polymer FF | US $9.50 | 3h 18m |
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200pcs Pink fimo polymer clay flower beads 8mm W401 | US $2.87 | 3h 43m |
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Lot 100 Nail Art mixed fimo Polymer Clay Animal Spacer Beads | US $.99 | 3h 48m |
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50pcs 3D Nail Art Fimo Stick Rods Polymer Clay Stickers DIY Decorations | US $1.57 | 4h 22m |
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CLAY EXTRUDER GUN Polymer Clay Fimo Sculpting 19 PC TOOL craft projects | US $1.07 | 4h 54m |
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New 100 X mixed fimo Polymer Clay Animal Spacer Beads 10mm (01) | US $.02 | 5h 32m |
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FASHION HANDMADE FIMO POLYMER CLAY PEACH ROSE FLOWER FOR PENDANT&BRACELET FE19 | US $.99 | 5h 51m |
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FASHION HANDMADE FIMO POLYMER CLAY PEACH ROSE FLOWER FOR PENDANT&BRACELET FE11 | US $.99 | 6h 16m |
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FASHION HANDMADE FIMO POLYMER CLAY PEACH ROSE FLOWER FOR PENDANT&BRACELET FE07 | US $.99 | 6h 21m |
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5X Deep Green Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 6h 30m |
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FASHION HANDMADE FIMO POLYMER CLAY PEACH ROSE FLOWER FOR PENDANT&BRACELET FE03 | US $.99 | 6h 31m |
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5X Golden Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 6h 39m |
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5X Deep Red Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 6h 51m |
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5X Sapphire Blue Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 7h |
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1pcs POLYMER CLAY third dimension BABY DOLL head MINIATURE 20mm DOLLHOUSE OOAK | US $.99 | 7h 1m |
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5X Deep Peach Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 7h 9m |
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25pcs Polymer Clay round ball Beads f0227_8 | US $.99 | 7h 20m |
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FASHION HANDMADE FIMO POLYMER CLAY PEACH ROSE FLOWER FOR PENDANT&BRACELET FC12 | US $.99 | 7h 21m |
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4pcs POLYMER CLAY third dimension monkey MINIATURE 26x23x12mm DOLLHOUSE OOAK | US $.99 | 7h 21m |
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5X Midnight Blue Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 7h 21m |
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5X Fushia Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 7h 30m |
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30 mix fimo canes | US $10.00 | 7h 36m |
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FASHION HANDMADE FIMO POLYMER CLAY PEACH ROSE FLOWER FOR PENDANT&BRACELET FC08 | US $.99 | 7h 41m |
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5X royal blue Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 7h 42m |
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20 PCS Mixed Color Fimo Polymer Clay Plumeria Flower Beads 20mm | US $1.04 | 7h 48m |
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5X Olive Fimo Polymer Clay Crystal European Beads Fit Charm Bracelet | US $2.99 | 7h 51m |
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H - 72 x 6mm 3D Fimo Ceramic Polymer Flower Nail Art #NA14 | US $1.07 | 7h 54m |
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10 PCS Mixed Color Fimo Polymer Clay Spotted Flower Beads 25mm | US $3.12 | 7h 58m |
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20 PCS Mixed Color Fimo Polymer Clay Round Petals Flower Beads 20mm | US $.99 | 8h 8m |
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Pink Yellow White Flower Polymer Clay Charm Beads 10PCS | US $2.88 | 8h 14m |