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A clear, protective coating helps seal a diamond painting so you won't lose diamond drills over time. Learn the best sealant and step-by-step instructions here.
I have a lot of crafting hobbies, but creating beautiful diamond art is one of my favorites!
It really is amazing how those little plastic drills look like sparkling diamonds, the finished product really is a work of art.
I like to work on my diamond paintings in the evening while I listen to my favorite podcast. It is very relaxing and is a great way to unwind from a busy day.
Many of you have asked me the best way to seal diamond art, so I am here to answer your questions!
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This post is not sponsored in any way. The opinion given is 100% my own.
How to Seal Diamond Art:
The sealing process is really quite simple, it is basically painting over the top of your finished canvas with a sealant.
An important step before you apply the sealer, it is a good idea to go over the top of your finished canvas with a brayer roller or even a rolling pin to really push all of those drills into the glue adhesive of the canvas.
Then apply the sealant to the entire painting, and spread the liquid between the small diamonds using a paintbrush or foam brush. Let dry.
What Sealant to Use:
The bigger question about sealing diamond art is what sealant to use.
There is a huge variety of finishes, so I will compare 4 of the most popular types of brush-on sealers for diamond paintings. We will not be covering any spray-on types of sealants.
To create our test, I took a finished diamond painting with round drills and taped the whole painting into four sections to test our different finishes.
Triple Thick by Deco Art:
In the top left corner, I applied Triple Thick Gloss.
I scooped the gloss out of the jar using a silicone brush, and then followed the directions on the container and applied the gloss using an acrylic brush, then left it to dry.
My Thoughts:
They weren't kidding when they called this gloss Triple Thick. This brush-on sealant is very thick
First off, I think I added too much. Because the gloss is so thick it kind of pools around the drills.
Once dried, the gloss is very sturdy and I don't see how any drills could become unlodged, but it is also harder to see the individual diamonds.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I give Triple Thick 3 stars out of 5.
It is too thick and takes the definition away from the diamond art.
Sparkle Mod Podge®:
In the bottom left corner is Mod Podge Glitter.
One of the biggest complaints I have heard is that sealing the diamond paintings removes the sparkle of the plastic drills.
With this sealant, I am hoping sparkle really helps the sealed art glimmer.
I followed the directions on the container and applied the gloss using a foam brush, then left it to dry.
My Thoughts:
I did not like the foam brush at all, it made it more difficult to move the glue-like substance around the art. After a couple of strokes, I changed to a smaller brush and that was much better.
The Sparkle Mod Podge has glitter in it, and I found once it dried, the glitter specs were very distracting and I did not like the overall look.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️
I give Sparkle Mod Podge 2 stars out of 5.
Once I moved to the brush it applied pretty well, but I am not a fan of the glitter.
Dura Clear by Deco Art:
The Dura Clear comes in a squeeze bottle making it super easy to apply the sealant to the canvas.
I followed the directions on the container and applied the gloss using a flat brush, then left it to dry.
The gloss application was super easy!
My Thoughts:
I loved that didn't have to scoop out the gloss, I could just squirt a line of it onto the canvas and move it around with a brush.
The Dura Gloss has a nice consistency too, not too thick and not too watery.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I give Dura Gloss 4 stars out of 5.
It went on so easily, and the tiny diamonds still shimmered nicely once the gloss had set.
Diamond Painting Sealer by Lanbeide:
This application made me nervous because the tip of the bottle has a sponge applicator, and that was the only way to apply the gloss. Plus, I didn't like using the foam brush with the previous gloss.
I followed the directions on the container and applied the sealer using the sponge applicator on the bottle, then left it to dry.
The gloss went on very smoothly and I could control how much sealer was applied by squeezing the bottle.
My Thoughts:
The application we super simple, the gloss is a perfect consistency, and I love that I didn't even have to clean any paintbrushes afterward.
Once dried, the diamond beads are very stuck to the canvas, and I love that you can still see the shine of the diamonds. Plus, the plastic drills still have a beautiful shiny finish.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I give Diamond Painting Sealer 5 out of 5 stars.
Looking at the final product, I think that both Diamond Painting Sealer and Dura Gloss are very similar in how they look once dried, but DPS is getting an extra star because of the foam applicator.
The Winner:
I think Diamond Painting Sealer is the clear winner! It is definitely my personal preference, although the Dura Clear is a close second.
From now on, my last step of the diamond painting process will always be applying Diamond Painting Sealer.
Have you used a different type of sealer that I need to know about? Let me know in the comments section!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does diamond art need to be sealed?
No, diamond art does not have to be sealed once finished, but there are some good reasons to do it.
Sealing the diamond drills to the canvas with a clear sealant will make sure that you don't lose those little plastic diamonds over time. After all of that hard work, we want it to last a long time!
A nice gloss finish can also enhance the shine and sparkle of the art.
If you aren't putting the art behind glass, then sealing also protects the art from dust particles and other debris.
Can I seal diamond paintings with spray sealers?
Yes, there are spray-on sealer options, although I haven't used any myself.
Mod Podge Spray Acrylic Sealer and Aleene's Gloss Finish are both options with great reviews.
How do you display finished diamond art paintings?
After all of that work of course you want to display it!
My favorite way to showcase my diamond art is by wrapping a canvas. Learn How to Frame Diamond Painting in 4 easy steps.
How long does Mod Podge take to dry on diamond painting?
A thin layer of Mod Podge takes about 15 to 20 minutes to dry onto diamond art.
Where to buy a diamond painting kit?
My favorite place to purchase diamond paintings is Diamond Art Club. They have so many different designs that it's hard to choose what to make next!
I prefer square drills, and those can be harder to find, but Diamond Art Club has a huge selection!
Crafting Essentials
- The Cricut Cutting Machine is easily my favorite crafting tool. We use it in so many of our tutorials!
- These MakerX Crafting Tools are perfect for keeping in the craft room and are always ready when needed!
- This Fiskars Paper Trimmer is easy to use and cuts nicely without frayed edges.
- These Scotch Precision Scissors cut like a dream, and you get multiple pairs in a pack!
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Karla
Thank you so much for this article. I never considered that diamond art needed to be covered. I forwarded your article to my daughter, so also has completed a diamond art picture.
Thank you!
Karla
Katie Adams
You are welcome!! I am glad you enjoyed and shared the tutorial. ❤️
Julie
How much Lanbeide Diamond Sealer is needed for a 16”x20” diamond art piece?
Katie Adams
It doesn't take that much at all. One bottle is definitely enough and you will have a lot left over.
kash
how much is 1 bottle in oz?
Katie Adams
It depends on what brand you are referring too. I recommend clicking the link in the supply list for the most up to date pricing of each of the different products.
Kali Jewell
Julie,
I made diamond dot bookmarks as Christmas present toppers. When I used one in a book, it was tacky and stuck to the page. Which sealer dries hard enough to not be tacky to the touch. Now I’m concerned my. Coasters will stick to the glasses….Ugg!
Katie Adams
None of the sealants I used dried tacky, so you should be good with any of them.
Sue Eastling
Does the foam applicator on the Diamond Painting Sealer get hard after you use it? Can you use it again? Can you wash it out?
Katie Adams
The lid seals on top, so the sponge stays soft. The package instructions say not to wash the sponge just store with the lid on and it will be ready for your next use.
Clarice O'Connor
Katie,
I am a beginner Diamond Art painter and have just finished a partial drill Passport Holder. Do you seal an entire partial drill project or just the drills?
My other question is unrelated to your video. I have completed several sets of coasters. Most have a high sparkle, and the drills are backed by a silver coating or metal. One coaster set had drills that were more opaque and were not backed by anything. Do these, more opaque drills have a special name, and where can I find kits which use them instead of the metal-backed drills?
Katie Adams
Hi Clarice, great questions!
In the case of your passport holder, I would apply the sealant to just where the drills are.
I know the difference of the drills that you are talking about but I am not quite sure what the differences are called.
One of my favorite places to purchase kits is artdot.com if you use code CRAFTY you can save 10% on your order.
Katrina McIntosh
Hi Katie,
I'm looking at the Lanbeide sealant. They now have a bigger bottle with a silicone brush. Would you recommend it, or stick with the one with the foam applicator on the bottle? Thanks so much for this article. I've done a large wolf for my brother and don't want to risk any diamonds falling off.
Katie Adams
I haven't tried the brush version so I can't say with 100% knowledge but I would assume it would be still be great, since the foam tip application works so well. But if you are nervous, the small bottle will still cover many canvases so you you'll still get your money's worth.
Donna Coleman
Hi Kate I have recently finished a very large diamond dot and I have covered it with glue but the glue has dried tacky can I put a lacquer or sealant over this to take the tackiness away thanks
Katie Adams
Oh, I'm so sorry. It's so hard to spend so much time on a project to not have it finish like you wanted it too.
I can not say for sure if it will work, but I think it is a very good option to try. You could try just in a corner first to see if it will work before applying it over the entire piece. Best of luck!
Marcella
Hello, do you know if you can use the diamond painting sealer with the foam brush on an LED Lighted canvas board? I just finished one for a gift and I don't want the drills to pop off later. Thanks.
Katie Adams
I have never tried it, so I can't say with 100% assurance, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I think it would be fine.
Darcie
Best water-proof sealer for diamond coasters?
Katie Adams
I would still use the Diamond Painting Sealer by Lanbeide, and make sure to seal the the edges of the coasters as well. Just make sure you don't let too much water site on them for too long.
Jill
I used the diamond painting sealer but after i did not use it for awhile the sponge molded. Just an FYI
Katie Adams
Thanks for the letting us know!