Coverage is due to the density of pigment, but pigment is the most expensive part of any paint formulation. Other paints are more translucent and you’ll see through it, often with obvious brush strokes. Some paints are opaque and will cover a surface with one coat. If it’s only a tiny bit sticky, a coat of clay-safe varnish can sometimes cover up the problem and cover the stickiness. Test them.Īlso, you can sometimes remove sticky paint by using isopropyl alcohol. Either type of paint can work well…or not. Believe me on this.)īy the way, oil-based or water-based is irrelevant. Always test the paint you want to use on a baked sample of the brand of clay that you want to use. A paint that works well for Sculpey III might be a sticky mess on Fimo. Different brands of polymer clay and different brands of paint can have completely different interactions. If the paint contains plastic (and most acrylic paints do), the plasticizer that makes the polymer clay flexible can also soften the paint, making it sticky.

Polymer clay is a plasticized vinyl that can have a chemical reaction with the products used on it. But painting on polymer clay is a whole different game. Most online information about painting assumes you’ll be using paper or wood as a substrate (base).

Most paints are designed to work well on paper or wood. Here are some common problems that people run into when they try it. Just dab it on and be done, right? Oh boy. You’d think that painting on polymer clay would be simple, right? Just like painting your nails or a wall. (BTW, looking for what happens when you mix paint INTO polymer clay? You might like this article.) Problems with Painting on Polymer Clay But the biggest question is, “What paint should I use to paint polymer clay?” It’s a really hard question to answer in a quick comment, so for a long time I’ve just said, “It depends.” Depends on what? Well…it’s a long story, and after you take all of it into consideration, you may want to rethink using paints on your polymer clay project. They want to know if they should “seal” the paint. Everyone wants to know why they’re getting bad results.

Aside from baking and clearcoats, the most common questions I am asked have to do with painting polymer clay.

Translucent dip powder