Polymer Clay Message Board - Polymer Clay Forum - The Clay Store

polyprincess · Clay Captain Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 26

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on getting rid of air bubbles? I like to cover things with clay and I perpetually have issues with getting rid of the bubbles! It's very frustrating. I get rid of most of them, you know, but it seems like no matter how hard I try I still get all these little bubbles all over my pieces! Can anyone help me??

poeterri · Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:19 pm Post subject:

I've never encountered problems with air bubbles and so I'm not sure what you mean. In the clay itself or from adding the clay to the item you're covering? Before you bake or after?

polyprincess · Clay Captain Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 26

Hi! Well, I just like covering everything! Glass candle holders, jars, tins, boxes.. stuff like that. It's after I bake the pieces. For example, I made my friend a treasure box for her birthday out of a paper mache box, and I used the faux wood technique with the gold metallic premo, you know? Well, that project was especially difficult because you are not supposed to manipulate the clay so much because you will lose the grain effect, so there were quite a few bubbles on that one. But, they are teeny tiny bubbles. lol I am probably making a big deal out of nothing.. Really, it's not a big deal my pieces still come out really nice, it's just that I like my work to be as perfect as possible and if there is some way I can just get rid of all the bubbles completely I would be thrilled! I honestly don't think anyone would even notice other then myself, but I just get irratated by it. Maybe they are not even bubbles I don't know. I am confused by it. It only happens when I cover other objects though. Also, I got a tip from someone to go to the glass attic and they said when you are covering objects not mad of pc that you should put the object in the over asap and not wait for it to heat and then leave it in the over until it cools, so maybe that would help also? I am not sure and I am sad. Sad

poeterri · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:42 am Post subject:

The idea for putting the item in the oven when it is still cool and letting it heat with the oven and then again cool with the oven is good. That way the clay can expand and retract with the temperature of the oven. It also helps to prevent moonies and cracks.

I wonder if it might also help to put a thin layer of clay over the piece first, bake it, then add the rest of the clay so that it has something to adhere to - however not a good idea if you don't want the piece to look too bulky. Or perhaps even coat the item with a thin layer of liquid polymer (ie. liquid sculpey or fimo) so that the clay has something to stick to.

Just a throwing ideas out there. I hope you find a solution that works for you. Best wishes!

jinxi · Clay Captain Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 10

When I cover objects, I coat with a very thin layer of liquid sculpey, using a paintbrush. Then I kind of stretch the sheet of clay over it, smoothing carefully as I go. Whatever bubbles I see get poked with a syringe and delete out, the syringe is easier than trying to manipulate out the bubbles. Good Luck!
~Jinx