Some of you might think sealing and waterproofing the air dry clay project you worked hard to make is exceptional. I also thought the same when I was purchasing items for my first few air dry clay projects.
I didn’t plan on sealing my first air dry clay trinket project. When I read online that sealing is a must, I quickly grabbed nail polish from my wife’s cosmetic collection and applied it over the painted trinket tray.
I was a fool. The paint started to peel off due to its harsh solvents and the lesson was learned. The hours I put into making that beautiful trinket tray all went to nothing due to the ugly result. All because of my careless mistake.
Don’t be like me! Sealing and waterproofing are just as important as making and painting your air dry clay project because air dry clay is water-soluble and tends to react with outside moisture.
I think moisture is the biggest enemy of air dry clay. So you need to stop moisture from reaching it. Apply the barrier! Sealing is a must!
Let me tell you how I do that as a beginner air dry clay artist like you. Let’s go! 🎨
Can you actually make air dry clay 100% waterproof?
Yes, you absolutely can make air dry clay 100% waterproof by applying polyurethane varnish, UV resin, or epoxy resin.
I use gloss varnish for sealing my air dry clay products, which makes air dry clay water resistant. It is an acrylic polymer-based product. It is water-based.
Air dry clay is a water-based, highly porous material. It means it dissolves in water. Eventually, it weakens and breaks down with moisture. Therefore, you cannot use it to hold liquids, such as coffee mugs, or submerge it in liquid.
You can use air dry clay trinket trays for holding jewelry or keys, not for any particular activity connected to water.
Remember, any water-based product should be sealed with a waterproofing or water-resistant sealant to protect it from outside moisture. It can be paint or clear varnish.
I use acrylic paint as the paint for my air dry clay projects and seal with gloss varnish as said. So, the acrylic paint layer works as the primary barrier for the moisture and gloss varnish is the ultimate shield.
But I’m happy with gloss varnish because it protects air dry clay trinket trays from moisture, application is easy and it cures within 24 hours.
Water resistant vs. waterproof
I have to say this: gloss varnish protects your air dry clay items from moisture, but it is not waterproof. It is water-resistant only.
If you submerge your air dry clay in water or leave it in heavy rain, water will definitely penetrate the acrylic layer and ruin your air dry clay project, making the varnish layer have a cloudy finish and making it sticky.
Therefore, if you really want waterproof ability, not water resistance only, go for clear varnish or liquid resin.
Basically, water-resistant sealers protect your air dry clay from moisture. They stop the penetration of water to some degree, handling splashes, light rain, or a quick damp wipe without damage.
But waterproof sealers are completely impervious to water. You have nothing to worry about. But there is a saying, glass is glass and glass will break. Likewise, air dry clay is air dry clay and it breaks when it is exposed to moisture for too long even after applying a waterproofing sealer.
Let me show you a performance comparison of sealers you can use on air dry clay projects:
| Sealer Type | Level of Protection | Best Use Case |
| Gloss Varnish | Water resistant | Trinket trays, keychains, small dishes |
| Polyurethane Varnish | Waterproof | Outdoor home decor items |
| Epoxy Resin | Waterproof | Any item that need ultra gloss finish and outdoor items |
| Mod Podge / PVA Glue | Less water protection | Very basic resistance |
Why you must seal your clay trinket dishes
Sealing your air dry clay trinket dishes is a must to protect them from outside moisture and they give a nice and beautiful appeal.
When your trinket trays are unsealed, moisture will penetrate inside, dissolve the air dry clay, and weaken it.
Plus, sealer helps to stop paint from chipping due to high humidity. Basically, sealing your air dry clay trinket tray protects it from outside moisture and gives a nice and beautiful appeal.
Since I use gloss varnish, it gives a glossy, shiny look to my trinket trays.
Supplies you will need
Here are the tools and materials I use for sealing my air dry clay trinket trays:
- Gloss varnish
- Acrylic paints
- Cup of water
- Paintbrushes
- Paper towels
- Fully dried air dry clay trinket tray (you must need this lol)
- Fine-grit sandpaper (optional)
How to seal and waterproof
- First take your fully dried air dry clay trinket tray and clean it. You can sand it with fine-grit sandpaper. However, clean the surface well before you start painting.
- Next paint the trinket tray with acrylic paint after dissolving it with a little bit of water. Apply thin coats of paint in one direction.
- After painting, let the trinket tray dry for 1-2 hours in a well ventilated and cool area.
- Next, pour a little bit of gloss varnish on the base of your trinket tray and apply 1-2 thin coats evenly along one direction. Try not to leave brush marks or bubbles on the surface. Use a soft brush.
- After sealing, let it dry and cure for 24 hours.
Optional way to seal air dry clay
I sealed one of my koi fish ponds, not a trinket tray, with epoxy resin. In that case, first you need to mix the epoxy resin and hardener in a 1:1 ratio and then pour it over the painted clay piece.
Apply as layers and leave bubbles using a heat gun. After sealing, let it cure for 2-3 days.
Epoxy resin gives an ultra-glossy, glass-like look to air dry clay projects. Yes, glossier than the gloss varnish I use now.
Final thoughts
I think now you know how to seal and waterproof your air dry clay trinket trays properly. Make sure to wipe and clean the sealed trinket trays regularly to avoid moisture contact. Please dont run it under sink, lol.
If you have any other questions regarding the sealing process, I’m happy to answer. Please leave them in the comments section.
Be sure to tag @clayandmestudios in your sealed trinket tray creations.Cheers!🤟🏾
