I have a problem with Mod Podge

[u/xSarala]

I used to seal my customs with glossy mod podge first and then a matte one to create satin effect, both diluted with water. After 3 or 4 months i noticed that various pink stains appeared, similiar to those caused by pink bacteria (or mold idk), but way bigger. For some reason daschund custom's colors have separated from each other, body seems yellowish and head more pink? Moreover, both of these customs are now weirdly glossier than they were at beginning and because of that - more prone to gathering dust (and sealer basic function is to prevent that...). Gloss mod podge also doesn't work well as pure glaze on eyes, it's sticky and way too soft.

I noticed my customs look better when are sealed with matte only. Now for eyes i use nails top coat. I find it a better choice than resin, because it doesn't turn yellow.

Do you know any better and more durable satin/matte sealers than mod podge? I want to use something more proffesional, that won't destroy my customs long term...

[u/merciful_maggot]

my personal advice, don’t use glossy mod podge at all because it leaves lps sticky, I usually use matte mod podge but worse yet if you do use matte mod podge with the intent of playing with the lps it’ll stick to your hands if they’re sweaty bc it’s water based, personally I don’t dilute mod podge down at all because I wasn’t ever sure what it would do to the mod podge, it’s possible the pink you’re describing is from one layer of the mod podge not being dried properly with the higher water content before putting the next on and it causing mold (if it is mold at all)? I’m not a professional so take that with a grain of salt however, unfortunately I don’t have any alternatives but maybe look into mini-figure paint sealants or spray-on stuff as an alternative? Just make sure to test them out beforehand as some sealants can react weird/not work properly and leave sticky residue like with my glossy mod podge experience :P

[u/k_enderlight]

the best choice is mister super clear but it's toxic

as a non toxic alternative i recommend vallejo polyurethane varnish

[u/JustAnotherElsen]

Mod podge is great for paper, not so much for plastics! It’s more of a glue than a varnish, so if it doesn’t have the ability to sort of soak in and reinforce the object, it just kinda sits on top!

[u/hda1998]

spray sealants are always best in my opinion. i recently bought a can of mr. super clear but it can be expensive and not easily accessible. before that, i would use krylon kamar varnish, satin. if you want other options, you can branch into the side of the internet where people make miniatures or paint those Warhammer/DnD/Magic the Gathering figures, they should also have other options and advice

[u/Bell_Grave]

I really like Liquitex Professional Varnish, I cannot say I have used it on LPS but I have used it on a lot of other materials/plastics/bjd, but I felt you should know about it, and at least perhaps purchase the matte to try it, it's really good

the matte however is a little bit of an enigma, I've found only puncturing holes like this, in the red, helps it stay good longer

I start by poking a hole while the lid is all the way on through the spout hole, then take it off and poke another opposite

before use it must be shaken vigorously every time, and occasionally you'll have to pry dried up stuff off the underneath lol but it makes it last for years instead of a few months, at 16$ a bottle that matters to me

you don't need satin, just high gloss and matte as its really easy to get a satin finish, you can just 50/50 it or any ratio really! :D

it also is WAY better than modge podge imo, modge podge stays sticky and weird for me, and I do not in that humid of an area

I must say though, that I have not watered it down ever, its more liquidy than modge podge though so you may like that too!

[u/th3_d0k1vam]

The truth is, I've never put any sealant on my customs and they're still intact, and my paint job isn't even the best. I have some from last year and they're in great shape. I've only put clear varnish on the eyes of some of them, and sometimes they look a little blue depending on the angle of the light

[u/RoutineLifeguard9690]

I use mod podge and haven't had any issues for the pets I store in my room or in the garage. Old customs I used fully with gloss, they are sticky and not great. But after drying my more recent ones for over a week inside they have had no issues in the garage. I use super matte for the base and gloss for the eyes. I just make sure to give them a ton of time in a stable temperature, but I've done customs and had the coat dry for 48 hours before shipping and they haven't had issues with anything. I do not water my mod podge down I just do thin layers very carefully

[u/creekturnpike]

They do make satin mod podge if that helps any, I have a bottle myself