How long and hot should i bake fimo/polymer clay?

Question

my fimo dint come with instructions

i've made some beads but im not sure how hot or how long i should bake them for.

i spent so much time on them that i dont want to mess them up at this stage!

thanks :)

Answer 1

15 mins at 180 degrees celsius

Answer 2

Stop!....365 Fahrenheit is way too hot to cure polymer clay --even Kato Polyclay, the brand of polymer clay which can take the highest heat.

Many ovens don't actually heat to the temperature indicated on their dials though so if the previous answerer is not using a cheapie oven thermometer to check her temp, the temp on her dial could well say 180 but be reaching only 150 (or any temp) and therefore not be close to burning (as it should at 365).

The general baking temperature for the Fimo brands of polymer clay is 265 F for 15-20 minutes per 1/4" of thickness.  

The newest formulation suggests a baking temp of 230 F, but clayers have found it still works well at 265 (and will be stronger too --the longer the cure and/or the higher the temp --up to a point-- the more polymerization takes place and the stronger the clay will be).

You can read all kinds of things about baking polymer clay on the Baking page of my polymer clay encyclopedia website, if you're interested in loads more info:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/baking.htm

Remember though to buy an oven thermometer and measure the temp first, then adjust your dial if necessary.  Thereafter always put the thermometer near your clay.  And don't leave the clay the first time you bake just to make sure.

You can also drape or partially enclose your clay to help protect it from darkening/browning, as well as completely enclosing it, while baking if you want to be sure.  

HTH,

Diane B.

P.S.  Why did the clay not come with the temp recommended on the package?  It should have.  Perhaps you have another brand of polymer clay, or one that came in a kit, or just loose clay?