How to seal porcelain coasters to display outdoors?

WendyB75

Hello

I am making a legacy project with my grade 6 students. We are wanting to decorate the round porcelain tiles with positive affirmations and then seal them. We are going to place them outside on a board and then grout them like we would tiles. Just wondering what sealer would be the best to deal them for outdoor weather? Also would matte tiles or these coasters be better for this project?

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @WendyB75. It is wonderful to have you with us and many thanks for your question on sealers.

This sounds like a lovely legacy project for your students.

As this is more of a craft application, unfortunately, it's difficult to know how our sealers will react with both the porcelain surface and, particularly, the markers you've used to create the affirmations.

You could potentially try Betta TileCare Stone & Concrete Sealer on a test piece first. I'd apply the marker exactly as you intend to for the project, allow it to dry thoroughly, then apply the sealer and leave the piece outside in the weather for a few weeks.

My main concern would be the sealer causing the marker to run or bleed, so I wouldn't recommend applying anything to the students' finished pieces until you've successfully tested the complete process.

Between the two options, a porcelain coaster being porous would likely work better than a tile, if it has a non-porous glaze on it. Sealers do not generally bond well to non-porous surfaces.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell