Glazes

I've been experimenting with various types of sealers and protectants for my pendants and magnets. I love the look of resin, but I won't use it due to its toxicity and the precise measurements involved. Two products that I have used with acceptable results are UTEE and Diamond Glaze.


I love the shine of UTEE (Ultra thick embossing enamel) and it's quick hardening. Bubbles are easily removed and the resulting surface is very smooth and glass like. It can be reheated and melted again if you're not satisfied with the results. On the downside, it isn't very scratch resistant. I'm presently looking for a polyurethane or acrylic sealer to apply on top to give it a hard seal. There's also a product called UTEE Flex, a resin, which is supposed to be added to melted UTEE to give it more durability.




Diamond Glaze, on the other hand, takes 24 hours to set properly, and after a few days, it seems to be much more scratch resistant. Tiny bubbles can be a problem if you're a perfectionist like me! It's also not quite as clear as UTEE.

I tried using UTEE to set the picture in place with a nice glassy coating, then applied a thin layer of Diamond Glaze for it's hardness. I wasn't completely satisfied because of the few tiny bubbles I always ended up with in the Diamond Glaze layer. (I did say I was a perfectionist!) For the present time, I'm just sticking with the UTEE. Any one have any suggestions?