Quikwood Basics:
- Quikwood is a two part resin. Measure with ruler and cut with blade. When mixed together you have about 20 minutes of open time before it begins to cure. It will fully cure in 24 hours.
- Only cut off and mix up as much as you need at a time.
- Make sure it is thoroughly mixed together (no swirls of color) or it will not cure.
- Do not wear jewelry especially rings when working with QW. if you can’t or don’t want to take your rings off, put a band aid over your ring, especially if it has a stone in it.
- Apply Avon Silicone Glove before starting and as needed when working with the QW. This will help you keep a buildup of QW on your hands.
- Use DecoArt Extender to blend QW being careful not to use too much or it will make your QW gummy. I put a little bit of QW in a small lid. After dipping my finger in the extender I tap it off on a paper towel before applying it to my project. If there is an area that is too small for your finger to get into use an old paint brush with extender on it and gently brush and blend.
- Before painting wipe surface with baby wipe to remove any excess oils.
- Before painting any area that has QW wood on it paint with a coat of Adhesion Medium mixed 1:1 with paint. I mix a little container and keep it on my worktable. I usually use Oyster Beige (which is a little lighter than QW) or Burlap (which is the same color at QW. It is up to you what color of paint you use.
Basic shapes when working with QW:
- Ball – Place clay in hand and roll hands in a circular motion to create a ball
- Coil – Lay clay in hands and move hands back and forth to create a coil.
- Cone – Place clay in hand and place base of palms together to form a V. Begin moving hands back and forth to create cone. The wider the V the fatter the cone, the more narrow the V the skinnier the cone.
When working with QW:
- When lifting a piece of clay off your work surface that is not cured use your blade. Slide the blade under the piece and lift. This will prevent your clay from stretching and being misshaped.
- The clay has an open time of about 15 to 20 minutes once it is mixed up. The clay is stiffer after 5 minutes, and continues to get stiffer until it cures. You can tell it is almost cured because it will get warm to the touch. It will fully cure in 24 hours. If you are trying to shape something like a Santa hat or beard it is better/easier to wait until it is getting stiffer. That is why it is good to have a timer to remind you.
Have fun, play a little to get the hang of it.