CraftTestDummies Reviews Magic-Glos by Lisa Pavelka

Craft Product Review: Magic Glos by Lisa Pavelka

Posted on 15. Sep, 2008 by Jenny in Reviews

I’ve been playing around with my bottle cap jewelry, and the question of what to put on top has perplexed me. I like Diamond Glaze, but it’s really only good for a thin layer. I wanted something more dimensional and shiny, something more glass like.

I played around with using melted UTEE, but at the thickness I was pouring, I was getting air bubbles and some scorching. Not the right product for the job. Of course, 2-part resin is an option. But resins and epoxies are toxic, and require gloves, goggles and ventilation. I’m teaching in a shop basement, so I’m leary.

Enter Magic-Glos by Lisa Pavelka. For those not in the know, Lisa is a talented polymer clay artist, and developed this product for use as a top layer on polymer clay. The big difference between this an other top coats is that it is a UV-curing product. Translation- 10 minutes out in the sun, and it’s cured to a tough, shiny, glass-like finish. Whoopee! And big consideration number two: it’s labeled non-toxic. No gloves, goggles or ventilation hoods necessary!

So here’s the poop on using Magic-Glos . I tried it on two applications- in a mold and to fill in my bottle caps, so that’s my frame of reference. I found that it squeezed easily from the bottle (which, by the way, you should store out of direct sunlight) and it flowed smoothly. A few bubbles were introduced, but a quick swipe with a toothpick cleared them out. Now, I live in the northern Ohio area, so sun is “iffy” for us…. but I had a nice sunny afternoon, and the first layer cured handily in about 10 minutes. Wanting a more “domed” look, I added a second layer. I set it out, and it, too, cured in less than 10 minutes- with no cloudiness or inclusions. Really, it looked like a single pour.

I had made a few bottlecap pieces using UTEE, and felt like the surface wasn’t up to snuff- so I tried adding a layer of Magic-Glos on top of that. Again, it cured well and bonded with the UTEE underneath. I did notice that the Magic-Glos had a tendency to “pull” away from the sides a bit. It likes to stick to itself, and didn’t want to spread to the edges. I had to add another, thicker coat, but it saved the piece. Hooray!

Being my thrifty self, I bought a silicon “star” baking mold at the dollar store, and decided to try that. I squeezed in the M-G until it was about 1/2 full, and then added some beads to it. I set it out…. but by then the sun was past it’s apex, and the mold was so deep that it wouldn’t cure. So I had to get a mirror and shine the sunlight – stay with me here!- down into the mold. The result was that the TOP of mold cured (really what would be the bottom once it was inverted) but what was down under the beads was not set up. Makes sense, in hindsight, that because of the beads, the sunlight couldn’t reach to cure it.Hmmmmmm…..

(Note: when I de-molded it, I placed it on an old saucer and tried add some more on the top to “fix” it… it dribbled down the sides and now it is permanently stuck to the saucer. Beware! This stuff has a strong bond!).

So next I pulled out my normal resin molds, and tried again. This time, I put a medium thick-ish layer of material in the mold, and let it cure. Then, and added some beads and more product. When it was all cured, I popped it out of the mold, and flipped it back over for a last little sunning…. and viola! That was enough to get it to cure all the way through.

I still have to try drilling it, but my overall impression is that it’s easy enough to use, not smelly, not toxic, and therefore pretty much what I want to use in class. It’s pricey at $9.50 a bottle (the price just went up!) but I got a lot of pieces and experimenting done. It does go a long way. The other drawback is that as far as I know, it’s only available online. Lastly, if you live in a somewhat cloudy area- like me- it may be beneficial to invest in a UV light so that you and cure items inside. I bought the one that Lisa sells on her site- it looks just like the ones in nail salons! I’ll be testing that out in an upcoming post.

Anyway, I kinda got on a roll and made a BUNCH of samples for my class in a few week. Here are just a few:

On the whole, I’d say Magic-Glos is pretty craftastic!

Popularity: 63% [?]

Tags: , craft product review, lisa pavelka gloss, magic gloss, magic-glos, UV cure resin

16 Responses to “Craft Product Review: Magic Glos by Lisa Pavelka”

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor

05. Oct, 2008

Great review Jenny! I heard the opposite problem happening for people who live in sunny locations like Arizona where there gloss was setting up too fast! I do like the idea of it being non-toxic. And that it is in only one part so it wouldn’t get wasted by mixing too much for a project. I too find it a little pricey however.
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Kim

07. Nov, 2008

Thank you for the review…you answered many of my questions. Did you have to seal the bottletop pictures you were working with? I have had such a variety of experiences with mixing equal parts resin and I am always holding my breath. I host a craft night for friends and love the idea of them being able to take home their finsihed pieces that night. Thank you again for sharing Jenny. I am going to go and order a bottle.:)
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Rachel

31. Mar, 2009

Shoot, I’m totally sold. Sometimes I want to coat things with UTEE that I don’t think are “bake proof” and this is just the ticket!

Though I may be trying a plant-grow bulb, or something, since the sun is so iffy.
Patty

11. May, 2009

I was totally impressed with this product ! After letting the bottle sit for a few months I didn’t want to shake it to induce bubbles so I tried it straight out of the bottle. Bad idea – the pour didn’t cure so I ended up warming the bottle and inverting it slowly for 5 minutes. Recoated and the finish took ! YEAH !!! Jewelry was not ruined and this stuff self corrected. How cool is that ? I am in Ct. and do find I have to leave items in the sun for 15 – 20 minutes .The ease of use and self repairing features totally win me over !
Tina Holden

23. May, 2009

I’ve just used some on some pendants (see my blog) and love it. Initially I wasn’t too happy with it because it kept pulling away from the sides, but sanding them helped and as you say a second layer helps also. I wish Magic-glos came in larger bottles and at a more reasonable price. Compare JudiKins DG3 Art Gel which sells for approx. $12 CDN for 4 oz, vs. $9.50 for 1 oz of the Magic-glos…ouch! Faux Dichroic is another glaze that works well for doming, but not as clear as magic glos and leaves a slight ‘dimple’ in center. Am curious what others have discovered that works…
Jenny

26. May, 2009

Thanks for your comment. You are correct in that Magic Glos pulls toward the center; however, that’s how you get such a nice, domed look with only 1 application. Try using a bit more and that should help that problem. And, yes, it’s pricey– but you cannot compare the cost of a UV curing resin to a water-based glaze. They are just not the same…UV is durable, quick-curing- (7 minutes!) and holds up to water and wear and tear the way a water-based glaze just can’t. Among other UV-Curing resins- like Gel du Soleil by Judikins- it’s actually cheaper! ($9.50 for 1 oz vs. 8.00 for 3/4 oz.) I have used the Faux Dichroic product too– and that dimpling bothers me, and it reacts by clouding when exposed to water (like other water-based products.) So– this is not a paid endorsement, folks– Magic Gloss is still the winner among UV curing resins!
Jennifer

04. Jun, 2009

I have been looking for something to use to make pendants. I’m impressed with the Magic Glos reviews. Jenny, your review helped immensely! Thank you. It seems to be the product I’ve been looking for. I haven’t tried any yet. One question – I have a full time job and do much of my jewelry making in the evenings. Will the product cure at all without sunlight? If not, is it possible to set items on the window sill for curing the next day?
Jenny

06. Jun, 2009

It needs UV light- which is in sunlight, or commercially available curing lamps…like the ones you see at the nail salon! They can be purchased on Lisa Pavelka’s site, http://www.coveredinclay.com, or on e-bay. The product will stay a liquid, and uncured, until the UV rays cure it. You could sit it out on the window sill…but I’d worry about dust or hair particles settling on the gooey surface and then getting stuck in there forever!! I’d spring the 30 bucks for the lamp. I did, and it solves the issue perfectly! Hooray for us night owls…!
John Donohue

22. Jun, 2009

I’d like to ask: what is the approach for damming or molding with the glos inside? In other words…what does it NOT stick to?

I’m sure it sticks to paper like mad, but what about waxed paper? What else does it not stick to?

My idea is a bottomless mold set on paper, pour the Glos in, cure, “remove” the mold and you have a stand-alone shape with outside walls (as opposed to a dome) with built-up-edges and adhered to the paper below.

Thanks,
John
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Jim Olson

05. Jan, 2010

I’ve been thinking of getting into resin jewerly, but have been concerned with the safety issues (fumes, etc.). It looks like Magic-Glos is what I’ve been waiting for. Can I use an “Ottlite” like they sell at Hobby Lobby to cure it?
Jenny

06. Jan, 2010

Jim, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, you cannot use an Ottlite. You must use a full-spectrum UV light, such as the ones that are found in beauty-supply shops for nails. (really!) Or for more money you can buy the ones from the travel-supply shops that disinfect. (Also UV lights.) And there’s always the good old SUN!

Be careful when thinking about Magic-Glos for resin-type pours; keep in mind that the resin must be cured by LIGHT- therefore if there are large inclusions in the material it will block the light and ergo not cure all the way through. It’s best application is for layering on top of items or shallow pieces (like bottle caps.) If you do go more than 1/4 inch deep, I’d suggest doing so in thinner layers and multiple cures, if that makes sense. Good luck. I’d love to see what you make with it and your experiences with the product. Good luck and happy crafting.
Jenny

06. Jan, 2010

I’m not sure about this…haven’t played with that application. I read on one site that a crafter used scotch tape to create a dam for her resin- but she was using the traditional 2-part epoxy kind. (She used it to build up an edge on top of a business card case.)

Good luck experimenting, and get back to me- I’ll post your results & pics, if you have them!