How to Make Polymer Clay Glossy

Make polymer clay shiny using basic craft materials.

When you construct sculptures and crafts using polymer clay, you may feel frustrated by the lack of brilliance and shine that results after the clay has been baked. One solution is to alter the clay before baking, and to apply different materials onto the baked polymer clay to create a glossy appearance. This enables you to create polymer clay sculptures that look as though they were constructed out of ceramic clay that is coated in glazing material.

Things You'll Need

• Polymer clay
• Polished stone
• Cookie tray
• Acrylic glaze, clear
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Form 8 oz. of polymer clay into any formation that you prefer. Allow the polymer clay to sit undisturbed for 30 minutes. The clay will not harden, but will become slightly more firm.

2. Rub a polished stone over the entire surface of the sculpture using tiny circular motions. This will burnish the outside of the polymer clay sculpture to create a shinier surface. Continue until the clay is as shiny as you prefer.

3. Place the shiny polymer clay sculpture onto a cookie tray, and bake it in a 200-degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes. Allow the clay sculpture to cool for 30 minutes.

4. Paint the outside of the polymer clay sculpture using clear acrylic glaze. This will make the burnished clay display a highly glossy sheen. Allow the glaze to dry for 30 minutes before displaying the glossy polymer clay sculpture.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not touch hot polymer clay, which can cause burns on skin.

References

• Stampington: Polymer Clay Basics
• Sculpey: Polymer Clay Information