How is polymer clay finished to make it shiny?
Take care when cutting and forming the pieces to avoid fingerprints and other surface imperfections. Smoothing cane slices under plastic wrap is usually enough to eliminate a great deal of sanding later. Polymer clay can be sanded and buffed after baking. This will smooth the surface, and ultimately add a sheen to the finish. Translucent clays can be made almost transparent with sanding and buffing, The more translucency in a color the easier it is to buff it to a high gloss after baking. Cernit, Premo and Kato clays take a shine very easily, FIMO colors are more matted. Sanding is best done in water containing a few drops of dish washing detergent using increasingly finer grit wet-or-dry sandpapers. Buffing can be done by hand with a rough textured cloth like denim or using a buffing wheel. If dry sanding use care and a dust mask. When using power buffing tools wear protective eye-wear and keep long hair and shirt sleeves away from the wheel.
