Fun with Paper Beads

Wednesday 30 October 2013

MEGA GLAZE TEST

Over the last few days I've done tests with different glazes to see which one was the best. I tested different glazes on 11 paper beads.

All beads had 1 coat of PVA and then dipped in a solution of PVA and water. Then......

1. 1 coat of Anita's 3d embossing liquid

2. 5 dips in PVA and water

3. 1 coat of Macy's marine varnish

4. 3 coats of Macy's marine varnish

5. 4 dips in water based acrylic varnish mixed 3 parts water to 1 part varnish

6. 3 coats of Titan acualux

7. 3 coats of water based barniz brillante

8. 8 coats of PVA and water

9. 5 dips in floor polish

10. 5 coats of neat PVA

11. 3 coats of neat water based acrylic varnish

The best in my opinion is no. 3 which was 1 coat of Macy's marine varnish, no. 4 had 3 coats which gave it a more glass like look but there was a slight tint to the varnish although it said on the tin clear, the tint change the lighter parts of the bead and darkened it. No. 5 came up as 3rd best, but I think that instead of dipping in acrylic varnish it would be better with a watered down solution.

This test is not finished by a long way, now I will do a test of coating a bead with a mix of 3 parts water to 1 of acrylic varnish, this is the mix I used to dip bead No. 5, but when dipping you have the problem of them sticking together. I also want to buy some quick drying marine varnish, I like the marine varnish coated beads but they do take a long time in between coats to dry.

I will be back with the next lot of results soon.

I've just done another test coating a bead with a mix of 3 parts water to 1 of acrylic varnish, and as I thought it came out the same as bead 5 which had been dipped but without it getting stuck to other beads.