Give your home a personalized touch by preserving your favorite items in a thick, clear polymer acrylic finish.
Materials:
home furnishing items with a flat surface (tabletop, stool, wood base for a trivet, commode seat lid, etc.)
polymer coating
clear-drying white glue
gloves
plastic sheeting
brick or wood block
tape and cardboard
Steps:
- Select the surface you want to decorate and the items you want to display. Paint it if necessary. Make sure it is clean and dust-free.
- Glue items in place and allow them to completely dry. Shake off any excess pieces that may "float" in the polymer compound. Tape off areas that you don't want coated--such as sides. Note: The polymer coating will drip down the sides and bottom. These drips can be removed when wet or sanded off when dry. Tape will help minimize this process. Place the item on plastic sheeting to protect work surfaces. Also, raise the item off the sheeting with a brick or wood block, but keep the item level at all times.
- Prepare the polymer compound according to manufacturer's directions. This will probably include mixing a resin with a hardener and stirring well to make sure it is completely mixed. Since the idea is to "flood" the surface, you want to prepare enough compound to completely cover the item.
- Immediately pour the polymer compound onto the surface in an even pattern. You can use a piece of cardboard or craft stick to help spread it out. The compound will self-level and drip off the sides. Use cardboard or a craft stick to wipe away drips. If bubbles appear on the surface, gently exhale onto the area--the bubbles should disappear.
- Allow the item to dry. You may want to cover the area with a box to prevent any dust particles from sticking to the surface.
)