Crayola air-dry clay is a soft and durable clay used to make toys and other artificial home decor items. It can be molded any way using different impressions and rubber stamps. You can also give texture to the clay by pressing beads and stones.
However, as great as it is to handle during molding, once molded, it’s quite fragile which makes one wonder if there was something that could be done to make the clay toys and artefacts more long-lasting.
Some people wonder if the clay could be baked. Well, we will answer all these questions in relation with baking Crayola air-dry clay in this article.
What if you bake Crayola air-dry clay?
For a fact, you can bake Crayola air-dry clay. In fact, many crafters use this technique to dry up their sculptures more quickly even though the drying up process can be done on its own.
This is done only to keep the process of creating the toys and artefacts fast as baking will evaporate the moisture faster. Baking also helps make the sculpture harder and stronger.
How can you bake Crayola air-dry clay?
Baking Crayola air-dry clay is a quick and easy process. Use the steps explained herein below to bake Crayola air-dry clay.
- Cover up your baking tray using aluminum foil.
- Then make the sculpture stand on a baking sheet.
- Then, place your tray inside a cold oven. Do not preheat the oven as if the sculpture will be kept inside the oven which is being preheated; then the sculpture may break.
- Set the oven temperature to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The baking period depends upon the size and thickness of clay employed in making the sculpture.
How can you make Crayola air dry clay dry faster without using an oven?
There are various techniques through which you can dry your clay faster without using an oven-
- Applying a hardener to the clay.
- Using an epoxy resin onto the sculpture.
- Using Plaster of Paris.
- Making use of Ultraviolet rays for drying up the clay.
- Applying a varnish or sealant onto the sculpture.
Can you bake Crayola modeling clay?
Yes, we can bake Crayola modeling clay. We can bake it using a normal oven. Remember not to use kilns or big industrial ovens.
The Crayola modeling does not necessarily require baking, but baking is done to speed up the drying process. The Crayola modeling clay becomes more stronger and hardened when it is baked.
What if you bake Crayola modeling clay?
If you bake Crayola modeling clay at the required temperature in the oven, it may evaporate the clay’s moisture faster than anything else.
Baking makes the clay hardened and stronger. The sculpture can be painted on or detailed easily.
How long should you bake Crayola modeling clay?
Crayola modeling clay takes at least 5-6 minutes for drying up. The drying up process depends upon the thickness of the clay and its size.
The drying process also depends upon the temperature of the oven in which the sculpture is being kept. If the temperature is around 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit, then a normal-sized sculpture takes around 5 minutes only. Overheating can cause the breaking up of the sculpture.
What is the difference between Crayola modeling and air dry clay?
Crayola modeling clay can be dried up to quicken the drying process. Air dry clay is dried up in the air and does not require drying up in hot ovens or kilns. The Crayola clay becomes harder and stiffer after baking.
FAQ’s
Is Crayola model magic air dry clay?
Yes, Crayola model magic is an air-dry clay. The clay can be baked in order to have a stiffer and harder structure.
Can you bake Crayola model magic?
Yes, we can bake Crayola model magic. You need to remember that the Crayola model magic can be baked in the oven and need not be baked in kilns or large industrial ovens.
What happens if I bake air-dry clay?
If you bake air-dry clay, then it becomes stiffer and harder. The sculpture can be painted well, giving it a smooth finish.
Is Crayola air dry clay heat resistant?
No, Crayola air dry clay is not heat resistant. If it is heated for a longer time than required, this might develop cracks in the sculpture. Thus, we need to be a little careful about the time of baking while baking the clay so as to avoid breaking up the sculpture.
Final Thoughts
Crayola clay is a special material used for making sculptures or toys. It can be molded into any shape. The sculpture is baked in order to increase the rate of evaporation of moisture in the clay sculpture.
The baking process makes the sculpture harder and stiffer. This is advantageous in painting and decorating the sculpture. It gives a nicer look to the sculpture and, thus, is beneficial.
However, the time and temperature of baking need to be carefully checked. If the sculpture is overheated, that might lead to cracks in the sculpture. So, while you can bake the clay, you need to be careful about the procedure. With proper caution, you are good to go.
