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The Clay Store
Site Admin
Joined: 21 Apr 2005
Posts: 35
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 Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 8:27 am Post subject: Some advice needed here |
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Hi everybody,
I received the following questions from a customer that I wanted to post to the forum to get your opinions on. Your advice and help is appreciated!!
Question on cooking polymer clays. I followed directions of 1/4 @ 275
for 30 min.
My results were less than perfect. When I was sanding shape was not
hard, Rebaked anoher 25 min. Did some more sanding, applied poly
glaze 2 coats to each side of each piece (6) total. Next day applied
finger nail polish let dry. Many long hours later checked the pieces
and all were oily and soft. WHY???
Thanks for your response. |
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Brookies Rae
Clay Commander
Joined: 21 Aug 2005
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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I only use one layer of glaze and no polish. Maybe they used too much?
Also, what brand of poly clay did they use?
My peices are only 1/4 of an inch, and I bake 275 for 20 min and was fine. Not soft. So maybe they miscalculated?
I dunno much, as I am new myself. |
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jnmurtha
Clay Commander
Joined: 09 May 2005
Posts: 66
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| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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It may be that the poly-glaze and nail polish don't mix well together, that might be what's making the oiliness. Maybe that's part of the softness you're feeling too, because after baking twice, it seems the pieces should have been very hard. Did you let the piece cool completely before you applied the glaze? Just another thought. I'll usually leave my work in the oven to cool completely before I apply any type of finish.
Hope this helps some.
JennRuth |
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Naomi
Clay Captain
Joined: 12 Jun 2005
Posts: 26
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:50 am Post subject: |
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For the polymer clay not being cured after the recommended baking time, it is possible that the oven thermostat is off. An oven thermometer can be used to verify that the temperature is correct. Another possibilility is that sanding was attempted too soon after baking the polymer clay. Because the piece was hard enough to sand after an additional baking period, I'm leaning towards the pieces not being cool enough to sand with the first attempt. If the oven temperature was consistently below the necessary 275 degrees (for that polymer clay), then additional baking time at less than 275 degrees would not properly cure the polymer clay. Polymer clay has some give while it is warm. The pieces need to cool completely before sanding.
For the oily and soft state of the pieces, I agree that the most likely cause is a reaction between the water-based glaze, and the nail polish. |
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