Polymer Clay Blank Questions

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preacherman

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I am wanting to make a sports blank from polymer clay. My attempt is going to be a football blank for a Jr Gent for family member for Christmas. I have noticed several clay blanks that have finish, what appears to be CA and some do not appear to have a finish.
My questions is, do you have to apply a finish over the clay? Or is the polymer clay once baked hard enough for use? Is it very durable this way?
 
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preacherman said:
I am wanting to make a sports blank from polymer clay. My attempt is going to be a football blank for a Jr Gent for family member for Christmas. I have noticed several clay blanks that have finish, what appears to be CA and some do not appear to have a finish.
My questions is, do you have to apply a finish over the clay? Or is the polymer clay once baked hard enough for use? Is it very durable this way?
Click to expand...

Hopefully Keith will see this message since he's the main guy I know that makes the clay sports blanks, but in general, we prefer to CA all our clay blanks. There are other glazes that can be used on polymer clay that will give a matte finish if you do not like the gloss. Clay is hard once baked, but I recommend sealing the clay surface with at least something since it's usually soaks in any liquid it touches.
 
MrsPTownSubbie said:
preacherman said:
I am wanting to make a sports blank from polymer clay. My attempt is going to be a football blank for a Jr Gent for family member for Christmas. I have noticed several clay blanks that have finish, what appears to be CA and some do not appear to have a finish.
My questions is, do you have to apply a finish over the clay? Or is the polymer clay once baked hard enough for use? Is it very durable this way?
Click to expand...

Hopefully Keith will see this message since he's the main guy I know that makes the clay sports blanks, but in general, we prefer to CA all our clay blanks. There are other glazes that can be used on polymer clay that will give a matte finish if you do not like the gloss. Clay is hard once baked, but I recommend sealing the clay surface with at least something since it's usually soaks in any liquid it touches.
Click to expand...

Not only does the clay absorb any liquid if unsealed, it will also wick any oil from your skin into itself and slowly turn very dark and dirty. I seal wth CA myself. Jim S
 
Well, to be honest you dont have to seal polymer clay. the reason for sealing is to keep the shine. So you dont have to seal but hey this is my opinion. Keith may come back and say otherwise...
 
I Like Toni's answer. Especially since I just did a commission for 10 PC pens, and did nothing more than micro-mesh sanding.

My ignorant opinion is, it's PVC, I have never seen plastic turn color from handling.
 
Toni said:
Well, to be honest you dont have to seal polymer clay. the reason for sealing is to keep the shine. So you dont have to seal but hey this is my opinion. Keith may come back and say otherwise...
Click to expand...

We all value your opinion of course...pens just get handled more than clay pieces that sit on a shelf, which I don't bother to finish, but it is definitely a matter of preference.
 
carlmorrell said:
I Like Toni's answer. Especially since I just did a commission for 10 PC pens, and did nothing more than micro-mesh sanding.

My ignorant opinion is, it's PVC, I have never seen plastic turn color from handling.
Click to expand...

Hi Carl, I agree micromesh can make polymer clay really smooth, but I am just curious, how long have you been doing pens like this? When I first got interested in PC, I found that clay pieces would start to dry out and crumble after 6 months if not sealed with some type of finish. I have CA finished pens from over 2 years ago that are still in like new condition, hopefully your pens have lasted the same way for you too...
 
Toni is spot on (as always:biggrin:) The finish is merely for shine. I wet sand with micro mesh, put an antique coat on them, and then a few thin coats of Future floor polish. With the football, baseball, and basketball blanks I don't want a shiny finish. My goal is to make them resemble natural leather as much as possible.
 
creativewriting said:
Toni is spot on (as always:biggrin:) The finish is merely for shine. I wet sand with micro mesh, put an antique coat on them, and then a few thin coats of Future floor polish. With the football, baseball, and basketball blanks I don't want a shiny finish. My goal is to make them resemble natural leather as much as possible.
Click to expand...

How long do pens last then without a finish? Has anyone done have any unfinished clay pens older than a few years? I had first gotten interested in PC a few years ago with Cecile Baird's animal polymer clay figurines but was disappointed after 6 months when the feet and other small parts dried out and started to crumble. I would hate to have one of my pen owners go through that...shine or not, I'd rather do what I can to ensure their pens will last.
 
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Interesting to note here.

Sculpey products are fine to use outside. Once baked, the clay pieces can withstand both hot and cold climates. However, some of our clays are better suited for projects that are being placed outdoors. Our premo! Sculpey, premo! Sculpey Accents, Sculpey UltraLight and Sculpey Pluffy clays are our strongest clays and would be recommended for outdoor projects. We suggest that any project be placed in a protected area out of direct sunlight. If not protected, the color may fade over time due to the UV rays of the sun.
Click to expand...

Now not saying anyone here is right or wrong but this came from Outdoor Use | Polyform Products Company which indicates UV is the killer. So something UV protective would be the answer for color fading over time.

Oven-bake clays, when stored correctly in a cool, dry place, below 90°F and out of direct sunlight, have an expected shelf life of a few years.
Click to expand...

While doing a search for this I did find ingredients of polyvinyl chloride, phthalate esters, hydrogen chloride, 4-vinylpyridine, trithiocarbonate RAFT agent.
 
edstreet said:
Interesting to note here.

Sculpey products are fine to use outside. Once baked, the clay pieces can withstand both hot and cold climates. However, some of our clays are better suited for projects that are being placed outdoors. Our premo! Sculpey, premo! Sculpey Accents, Sculpey UltraLight and Sculpey Pluffy clays are our strongest clays and would be recommended for outdoor projects. We suggest that any project be placed in a protected area out of direct sunlight. If not protected, the color may fade over time due to the UV rays of the sun.
Click to expand...

Now not saying anyone here is right or wrong but this came from Outdoor Use | Polyform Products Company which indicates UV is the killer. So something UV protective would be the answer for color fading over time.

Oven-bake clays, when stored correctly in a cool, dry place, below 90°F and out of direct sunlight, have an expected shelf life of a few years.
Click to expand...

While doing a search for this I did find ingredients of polyvinyl chloride, phthalate esters, hydrogen chloride, 4-vinylpyridine, trithiocarbonate RAFT agent.
Click to expand...


Cecile Baird products are Fimo PC but I suppose the same theories could apply...
 
Hello.
Thank you for contacting Polyform Products Company and your interest in our products. Our clays do not use any UV protectant in the formulations and our pigments are not rated for UV exposure.

We recommend that if you place your piece outside, that you put it in indirect sunlight. A UV glaze could provide an added layer of protection and buy you some time but it is undetermined how much longer.

I am sorry I can't be of more help.

Best regards,


Kimberly Rush
Director of Research & Development and Regulatory
Polyform Products Company
1901 Estes Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 847-427-0020 ext. 117
Home | Polyform Products Company
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-----Original Message-----
From: no-reply@sculpey.com [mailto:no-reply@sculpey.com] On Behalf Of Sculpey.com Webform
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2013 7:03 AM
To: Polyform Products (Info)
Subject: Form submission from: Customer Service Request

Submitted on 10/24/2013

Submitted by anonymous user: [xx.xx.xx.xx]



Submitted values are:

...

Country: United States

Subject of your Question: Quality issue

Your Message:

what is the long term results of color fading on your polymer clay products?



Does the glaze coating, CA finish or any UV resistant coatings affect color

fading over time?
Click to expand...

A phone call to staedtler (makers of fimo) resulted in the same being said.


Along these lines the fountain pen network does ink testing for this very subject.
 
edstreet said:
Hello.
Thank you for contacting Polyform Products Company and your interest in our products. Our clays do not use any UV protectant in the formulations and our pigments are not rated for UV exposure.

We recommend that if you place your piece outside, that you put it in indirect sunlight. A UV glaze could provide an added layer of protection and buy you some time but it is undetermined how much longer.

I am sorry I can't be of more help.

Best regards,


Kimberly Rush
Director of Research & Development and Regulatory
Polyform Products Company
1901 Estes Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 847-427-0020 ext. 117
Home | Polyform Products Company
Like us on Facebook!





-----Original Message-----
From: no-reply@sculpey.com [mailto:no-reply@sculpey.com] On Behalf Of Sculpey.com Webform
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2013 7:03 AM
To: Polyform Products (Info)
Subject: Form submission from: Customer Service Request

Submitted on 10/24/2013

Submitted by anonymous user: [xx.xx.xx.xx]



Submitted values are:

...

Country: United States

Subject of your Question: Quality issue

Your Message:

what is the long term results of color fading on your polymer clay products?



Does the glaze coating, CA finish or any UV resistant coatings affect color

fading over time?
Click to expand...

A phone call to staedtler (makers of fimo) resulted in the same being said.


Along these lines the fountain pen network does ink testing for this very subject.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ed for trying...maybe Garie Sim has tested this?? I'll have to look through his stuff when I have time.
 
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I have several pens that are approaching 6 years old that look just like the day I made them. My mother, who was a polymer clay artist, has many pieces that she used in displays on how she made her jewelry. These pieces are from the early to late 80's and still look great. Back when she was doing art shows I can remember there only being two types of clay (Fimo & Sculpy). Since then there have been many reformulations and how those changes have effected the aging of the clay I don't know. I do remember that the clay was harder than hell and I help her knead it with rolling pin. We used to put it in a ziplock bag and beat the day lights out of it:biggrin:!!!

With glazes and coatings you have to make sure you use one that won't react with the clay. Certain types of surface treatments can react with the polymer compromising it's structure over time. I wish I could recall the name, but I tried using one of the plastic polishes once. Within a couple seconds of application polymer blank turned to mush:eek:. It was as if the blank melted right there on the lathe. I have also read that if the clay is not baked properly it will break down prematurely and crumble.

Hopefully you find what you are looking for!
 
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