Sealing a MH custom

[Chance]

Hi everyone, customizing question here. I know that a lot of people like to use Mr. Super Clear Flat to seal their MH customs. I'm not too keen on buying any though, partially because it's a tad expensive, but mainly because of how toxic it is. I really don't like using toxic chemicals when making art projects.

Does anyone know of any good alternatives to MSC for sealing MH customs?

[Foxy_Ninja]

There's always Mod Podge Matte.

[mermaid_splash]

I've used Testor's on ponies and love it,but prefer MSC on the dolls.  But yeah you must use it outside.

[zannid]

Retrograde Works has Liquitex Gloss and Matte Varnishes listed as one of the kinds of sealers they use.

Liquitex also has a Gloss and Matte medium that would probably work, the gloss is said to be used as a fixative and varnish and the matte medium can be used as a fixative according to Dick Blick.

According to the website, they're all 100% acrylic polymer emulsions.

[Chance]

There's always Mod Podge Matte.

Retrograde Works has Liquitex Gloss and Matte Varnishes listed as one of the kinds of sealers they use.

Liquitex also has a Gloss and Matte medium that would probably work, the gloss is said to be used as a fixative and varnish and the matte medium can be used as a fixative according to Dick Blick.

According to the website, they're all 100% acrylic polymer emulsions.

For things like these, I'm assuming you use a paintbrush and paint them on after you're done with the faceup? Would that wipe away things like watercolor pencil marks or pastel work?

[Foxy_Ninja]

There's always Mod Podge Matte.

Retrograde Works has Liquitex Gloss and Matte Varnishes listed as one of the kinds of sealers they use.

Liquitex also has a Gloss and Matte medium that would probably work, the gloss is said to be used as a fixative and varnish and the matte medium can be used as a fixative according to Dick Blick.

According to the website, they're all 100% acrylic polymer emulsions.

For things like these, I'm assuming you use a paintbrush and paint them on after you're done with the faceup? Would that wipe away things like watercolor pencil marks or pastel work?

Yes it can if it is water based. Pastels usually are oil based though...

[Chance]

There's always Mod Podge Matte.

Retrograde Works has Liquitex Gloss and Matte Varnishes listed as one of the kinds of sealers they use.

Liquitex also has a Gloss and Matte medium that would probably work, the gloss is said to be used as a fixative and varnish and the matte medium can be used as a fixative according to Dick Blick.

According to the website, they're all 100% acrylic polymer emulsions.

For things like these, I'm assuming you use a paintbrush and paint them on after you're done with the faceup? Would that wipe away things like watercolor pencil marks or pastel work?

Yes it can if it is water based. Pastels usually are oil based though...

Well, according to what I've read, you're supposed to use soft/chalk pastels for faceups, which are the non-oily kind.

Shame that it would just take off the pastel and watercolor pencil though... hrm...

[Foxy_Ninja]

There's always Mod Podge Matte.

Retrograde Works has Liquitex Gloss and Matte Varnishes listed as one of the kinds of sealers they use.

Liquitex also has a Gloss and Matte medium that would probably work, the gloss is said to be used as a fixative and varnish and the matte medium can be used as a fixative according to Dick Blick.

According to the website, they're all 100% acrylic polymer emulsions.

For things like these, I'm assuming you use a paintbrush and paint them on after you're done with the faceup? Would that wipe away things like watercolor pencil marks or pastel work?

Yes it can if it is water based. Pastels usually are oil based though...

Well, according to what I've read, you're supposed to use soft/chalk pastels for faceups, which are the non-oily kind.

Shame that it would just take off the pastel and watercolor pencil though... hrm...

It should not matter what one you use so long as you are careful not to make mistakes. If you know what you are doing, then it works out.

[zannid]

Yes, you're meant to use chalk or soft pastels, which are basically just pigment and a binder. The oil in regular color pencils or oil pastels can cause problems with the vinyl months down the road.

It does look to be that liquitex paints are somewhat water based, so I'm unsure how pastels or watercolor pencils would fair with their mediums. If you'd like, I plan on ordering these items in December for MH customizing and a few other projects (part of the reason I love liquitex is it's rather versatile). I can do a test patch with chalk and watercolor pencil and let you know how it fairs?

I believe someone in the forum still has a spare MH head for sale for a dollar if you'd like to experiment yourself, but if you don't mind waiting a bit I thought that might fare better for your wallet. Let me know!

[PandaBerryInSpace]

You will need a spray if you want to use chalk pastels, as anything brush-on will wipe the powder off. Even if you use varnish to seal it, you need to do coats of spray between each coat of pastels, as well as before you begin and after you finish. Testor's Dullcoat can be used in place of MSC, but be warned: it yellows. I used it to seal a CAM body that I painted white, and it turned to an ivory color; however, when I used MSC to seal a white pony, I had no discoloration at all. Whichever one you use, be sure to do it outside, and please: wear a respirator. I know it sounds silly, but I didn't one time, and got really sick.

[Chance]

Yes, you're meant to use chalk or soft pastels, which are basically just pigment and a binder. The oil in regular color pencils or oil pastels can cause problems with the vinyl months down the road.

It does look to be that liquitex paints are somewhat water based, so I'm unsure how pastels or watercolor pencils would fair with their mediums. If you'd like, I plan on ordering these items in December for MH customizing and a few other projects (part of the reason I love liquitex is it's rather versatile). I can do a test patch with chalk and watercolor pencil and let you know how it fairs?

I believe someone in the forum still has a spare MH head for sale for a dollar if you'd like to experiment yourself, but if you don't mind waiting a bit I thought that might fare better for your wallet. Let me know!

Oh, I have an extra doll laying around which I can do some tests on as soon as I get the materials, but thank you for offering! If you do end up giving it a try I'd love to hear your experience with it though.

You will need a spray if you want to use chalk pastels, as anything brush-on will wipe the powder off. Even if you use varnish to seal it, you need to do coats of spray between each coat of pastels, as well as before you begin and after you finish. Testor's Dullcoat can be used in place of MSC, but be warned: it yellows. I used it to seal a CAM body that I painted white, and it turned to an ivory color; however, when I used MSC to seal a white pony, I had no discoloration at all. Whichever one you use, be sure to do it outside, and please: wear a respirator. I know it sounds silly, but I didn't one time, and got really sick.

Yeah, I was worried I would need a spray in the end... looks like I may have to live with the toxicity. Either that or not work with pastel and watercolor pencil, but I'd really like to!

[madeleinemai]

Unfortunately, you have to use a spray on sealant if you'd like to use pastels and water color pencils. Any kind of brush on sealant, even one that's not water based, will smear those materials. If you are worried about the toxicity, just make sure to use a well fitted half face mask with organic vapor cartridges in a well ventilated area and you will be perfectly safe. It should cost you no more than $40, there are some even cheaper sets from 3M on Amazon. The spray will only be toxic in the air, once dry it should be fine. I have just posted the first part of a tutorial talking about the supplies I use. I mention several different solvents, spray sealants and safety supplies there. I have been using Testors Dullcote for a while now and have noticed no yellowing. But then again, I don't expose my dolls to a lot of sunlight, and I also haven't used it on a white skinned doll where any sort of yellowing would be more apparent.

One more thing, I wouldn't recommend using Mod Podge as a sealant/varnish for dolls. Even the company that makes it admits that it can stay tacky after fully drying and that if that happens you have to apply a coat of clear acrylic spray. Liquitex costs only a little more and works much better. Plus Mod Podge is known to yellow, while the Liquitex varnishes protect against that.

Hope this helps! 

[PandaBerryInSpace]

Yes, I agree about the Mod Podge. While it is generally okay to use on ponies, it's not as good on dolls... Especially if you're painting the body and not just the head.

[Foxy_Ninja]

For the Mod Podge if you use it, I was going to say, don't use it on an entire doll, just for example the faceup, like the eyes or lips. For other things I agree Liquitex is best.

[Chance]

Thanks for all the info, everyone! I have actually tried using Mod Podge before to seal painted clay sculptures and had it stay tacky after drying, so I don't particularly like using it. I will look into different sprays and a mask.

I have just posted the first part of a tutorial talking about the supplies I use.

I noticed that on Tumblr! Thank you for taking the time to write such an extensive tutorial. It'll be really helpful when I finally get started.