Best Clear Coats For Painted Clay Projects
Have you ever wondered what to do after you paint those ceramic projects? We see you decided to forgo glazing, but sometimes your projects need extra shine. Here are six different ways to add a clear coat to your clay projects.
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Considerations Before Clear Coating Your Painted Ceramics
- Do you want just clear and shiny?
- Would you rather have a matte appearance?
- Do you want a little something extra? Say glitter or extra shimmer?
- Do you need to spray a clear coat or can it be brushed on?
Will this make clay food safe?
No, let me repeat it again for the people in the back…NO! If you want your clay projects to be food-safe, you need to use fired clay with food-safe glazes and fire them following the instructions provided by the glazing company.
Just because you can make a clay art project look glazed or shiny, does not mean it is food safe.
Read More>>>Non-Glaze Ways To Add Color To Clay
Our Favorite Clear Coats To Buy
What is our favorite clear coat?
We love the unique look of using this iridescent medium. Before adding it, you can see below what our flower pinch pot looked like.
Our clay project was painted using acrylic paint. Look at the amazing difference once the gloss medium was added. If this is too shimmery for you, you can always mix in a little plain gloss medium to cut it down.
You could even use a similar painting technique on air dry clay projects.
What does Sparkle Mod Podge look like on clay?
Children absolutely go crazy when they see their finished clay piece with Sparkle Mod Podge on it. We know that glitter isn’t for everyone, but kids love it.
Here is a simple clay relief tile that was done with an oil pastel resist. The glitter Mod Podge was added after the project dried (which doesn’t take very long).
Spray Mod Podge on a Watercolored Clay
This ceramic fish project was fired and painted with watercolor paints. Two coats of Ultra Gloss Spray were added to the finished project.
Tips
- If you don’t have a spray booth or don’t want to spray a clear coat, a bath to dip your projects in may do the trick. Mix Modge Podge and water in a container in a one-to-one ratio.
- Dip the painted clay projects and let them dry on a raised surface like a grate. If you dip the project quickly you will limit the bleed of even tempera paints.
Follow us on Pinterest or Flipboard for more free art and craft ideas!
More Ceramic Ideas
- Our favorite and adorable clay owl cup is a perfect build for any age artist.
- How To Make Relief Tiles At Home
Whether spraying a clear coat or brushing one on for a special effect this list has a clay clear coat for any project.
