Sculpting Advice Needed! re: Mineral Spirits

[gootie29]

I am not a very good sculptor but I am working at it and slowly improving. One thing I am having trouble with is getting fingerprints off Sculpey after it hardens. I read that mineral spirits can be used to smooth out some minor imperfections. Is this done before or after baking and what is the best technique for using this substance? Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks!

[cyberlord]

rahter than messing wth any other stuff so early on man- i would advise some things that can help
1. if its a head you are making make yourself a stand to sculpt it on- this an just be a wooden stick you can hold and model the head at the top- you can cover the stck in foil so you can remove it to bake but this will help minimise you touching it
2.you can sand it when its baked with a sanding stick
3.there are sandable primers available that will mimimise fingerprints.

[johnmiic]

If you're working in Sculpey you can also rub the head lightly with a Q-Tip and rubbing alchohol before baking it.

Have you tried sculpting with latex rubber gloves on? That can also work tho it seems to create more distance between you and your sculpture.

[jessica]

You can try a paint brush dipped in alcohol to brush off the fingerprints before you bake it to cure. That helps me out...or just sand them off later.

[megoscott]

Cmonster advised odorless turpentine for sculpey, I haven't tried it yet.

[Cmonster]

Cmonster advised odorless turpentine for sculpey, I haven't tried it yet.

Yes, it's called turpenoid. Get it at any art store... Depending on the hardness of your sculpey, you can also dilute with rubbing alcohol. In other words, if you have a really firm batch, don't add anything to it, but if the sculpey is a more soft, you might want to knock it down a bit. It's REALLY strong stuff. Use it very sparingly. A little goes a long way...

SC

[TrueDave]

I am a sloppy artist. I don't like it but there it is.

How about using texture stamps to get rid of them as a final once over.
Or sand them off by hand with a fine sandpaper. I discovered sculpting by building up the clay is good, but the fact that sculpy hardens great for some carving too. Sanding does wonders.

Have no idea what to use on sculpy. I sculpt with oil based clay and use rubbing alcohol for this sort of thing.

[Bizarro Amy]

I've been told to try wet sanding before. I know how to do that on metal, but how would it be done on clay?

[TrueDave]

I've been told to try wet sanding before. I know how to do that on metal, but how would it be done on clay?

If it's sculpy you sand after firing.
Closest thing to "sanding" would be raking on raw clay. Wouldnt work for the same effect.

Theres also "rubbing" In college we would use a spoon to "burnish" water based clay at it's leather hard state.

[gootie29]

Thanks everybody!

[Bizarro Amy]

If it's sculpy you sand after firing.
Closest thing to "sanding" would be raking on raw clay. Wouldnt work for the same effect.

Theres also "rubbing" In college we would use a spoon to "burnish" water based clay at it's leather hard state.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't refer to sanding the clay before curing. Wet sanding on metal involves wetting the surface with water for a nice smooth surface for painting. I'd just be afraid to put water on cured sculpey, for fear it might crumble. The person who recommended wet sanding it never went into detail, so I thought maybe there was something else used to dampen the cured sculpt.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

Super-fine sandpaper is good.

Don C.

[TrueDave]

Try using a small paint brush .
You can use it wet or dry.

[TrueDave]

on pre fired sculpy take the clear wrapping from a pack of cigarettes and lay it over the surface. use a small wire tool and you can make clean lines and cuts without getting debris from gouging on the barebacked clay