Don't seal polymer clay UNLESS one of these two things are true!

There are only TWO reasons why you should use a varnish on polymer clay.
Polymer clay is vinyl plastic and therefore it doesn't need to be sealed or protected.
Varnish is also plastic, and it's a super thin, fragile layer that sits on top of your baked clay. Therefore, it can't offer much physical protection.
Applying varnish is a skill and has some nasty possible pitfalls such as peeling, brush strokes, and stickiness.
Using varnish on polymer clay should never be done "because you're supposed to". It should always be done for a reason.
What are those reasons?
1️⃣ Use a varnish to change the gloss level of your clay. Varnish can make dull clay look bright and shiny. And matte varnish can make shiny clay look matte and velvety.
2️⃣ Use varnish to protect surface treatments that you've applied to the surface of your clay, such as powders, mica, decals, transfers, metal leaf, etc.
Save yourself the trouble, the time, the expense, the frustration, and the disasters of using varnish on polymer clay...unless you actually do need to use it.
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[@mamawib]

You always have GREAT info Ginger!

[@martza8216]

😮Thank you

[@lazcris]

Thank You so much!

[@geno8544]

Would polymer clay be ok to use to make a waterfall piece? So water would constantly be moving over the piece.

[@cchemmes2096]

Thanks for the video.. I want to make polymer clay pieces to 'stamp' into concrete, by leaving them in the concrete/ mortar for a day. And I would of course like the poly clay parts to 'hold up' from exposure to this harsh chemical environment, to minimize how often i need to remake parts. What protective coatings could I use on polymer clay? (Varnish, which requires sanding, does not seem ideal. It can be a 'temporary' coating. I would also need to use some kind of mold release, such as oil spray). Thanks. Blessings everyone.

[@thebluebottletree]

Polymer clay is vinyl, it should hold up pretty well, actually. I'd use Armor All as a release.

[@cchemmes2096]

I greatly appreciate your advice. Have a blessed day. @@thebluebottletree

[@Clayartbybano]

Thank you 😊

[@luannfino1371]

Thanks❤

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

What about if you are making polymer clay as tile/ tessera pieces for an outdoor concrete sculpture/ object & need UV protection for the color? & it is on an object like a mosaic table that could encounter some wear? I'd think then it would be like a coat of acrylic floor polish on a vinyl floor tile- giving protection from wear & protecting color from light dulling.

[@thebluebottletree]

Polymer clay doesn't need to be protected from the outdoors. It will fade, however. Varnish will not hold up as well as the polymer will.

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

Are you including varnish with UV protection in this assessment? UV protection is used to help avoid color fade. It works with paint, so you are saying it does not help polymer clay? Thanks. @@thebluebottletree

[@lisapereira6609]

Are you supposed to put the sealer on before or after baking? For context regarding polymer clay jewellery covered in mica powder (before baking). I've baked heaps of pieces and only realised after that the mica powder rubs off after wear..

[@thebluebottletree]

The mica goes on before baking, then the varnish goes on after baking.

[@susane945]

Thank you. That's exactly what I thought. But how about adding glitter to the clay? Does it THEN need sealing? Or not?

[@thebluebottletree]

Not if the glitter is mixed in.

[@beckyblank00]

Seal if the mica was put on before baking?

[@thebluebottletree]

Yes.

[@PixlEdits]

If you're going to paint on top of polymer clay, is it okay to leave it then? Or would you recommend a sealer for the paint?

[@thebluebottletree]

Optimally, you should use a paint that adheres well, and a sealer is unnecessary. You can learn more here: thebluebottletree.com/painting-polymer-clay