So you’ve just finished your air dry clay masterpiece… now what?
Patience, young clayhopper! Unlike traditional clay, Air Dry Clay doesn’t need to be fired to set hard, however, it still needs to harden before any next steps.
Setting Time
Setting time for our Air Dry Clay takes anywhere between 24-72 hours. This varies depending on the environment (heat and humidity) and the thickness of the creation.
Finishing
Whilst Air Dry Clay will set hard without the need for firing, this does mean your creation is still susceptible to absorbing moisture even once it’s set – which could weaken your masterpiece and become soft if in contact with moisture.
That’s why we always recommend glazing your piece to protect it from the elements. Glazing also provides a layer of protection against dust and UV rays that can fade the colour if painted and can help to even out any rough surfaces or irregularities in your piece.
Here’s some handy steps to getting you started on finishing your piece!
- Set. Allow time for your piece to fully set (usually 24-72 hrs). To speed things up make sure to flip your piece or dry your piece on a cooling rack to ensure all areas are exposed to the air.
- Sand. Once your creation has set, using sandpaper, smooth over any rough edges.
- Slap on some paint! Next step is to add a splash of colour (if you so choose). Regular acrylic paints can be used on Air Dry Clay. For a layered watercolour effect, add a bit of water to your acrylic paint and paint a few layers, allowing each layer to dry before painting the next layer (a hairdryer can be used to speed up the process). Try adding different colours to create a funky marbled effect!
- Start glaz’n! Once your paint has dried, apply a thin layer of glaze all around. Allow to dry fully before adding a second coat (it should be dry to touch). Repeat this step 2-3 times to achieve a thick glossy look.
And voila! You have your finished Air Dry Clay art piece!
For more Air Dry Clay tips and tricks, visit our clay blog here.