Pick up a bottle of puzzle glue if you decide you don't want to take the puzzle apart.It is easy to apply Mod Podge Puzzle Saver with a foam paintbrush.Add a few coats of Mod Podge to the front and back of the puzzle, and think about how you want to display your piece of puzzle art.
Step 1: If you want to preserve the puzzle, assemble it on wax paper.
If you think you will want to permanently preserve a jigsaw puzzle, you can build it on top of one or more sheets of wax paper.Check the finished dimensions of the puzzle on the box and create a wax paper work surface that is at least 2 in (5.1 cm) bigger on all sides.If the finished puzzle has dimensions of 18 by 24 in (46 by 61 cm), tear off strips of wax paper to create a work surface that is at least 20 by 26 in (51 by 66 cm)It is difficult to remove Mod Podge once it is dry.
Step 2: If you have assembled the puzzle, put wax paper under it.
You might not know that you want to preserve the puzzle after you assemble it.Take one or more strips of wax paper and shimmy and slide them under the puzzle's edges.Make sure the entire underside of the puzzle is resting on wax paper by extending it by at least 2 in.Mod Podge can be applied to thin cardboard puzzle pieces.The pieces may get stuck to your table if you don't put wax paper underneath.
Step 3: Roll over the puzzle with a pin.
The puzzles are a bit wavy due to the irregular joints.To flatten the puzzle, give it a few rolls back and forth with a kitchen rolling pin.A can of food or a wine bottle will do the job.
Step 4: The best results come from using Mod Podge Puzzle Saver.
Puzzle Saver is the best Mod Podge brand product for this job.It comes in a large plastic jar, which is enough for at least a dozen puzzles, and a small jar which will serve a couple of puzzles.At craft stores and big box retailers, look for Mod Podge Puzzle Saver.
Step 5: The paintbrush should be put into the Mod Podge.
If you want to pour some Mod Podge into a bowl, you can either use a larger brush or choose a small one.Since the first coat on the puzzle should be a thin one, only dip the tip of the brush into Mod Podge.Pick up foam-tipped paintbrushes at craft stores.For a single puzzle project, buy at least 2 or 3.
Step 6: Put a thin layer of Mod Podge over the puzzle.
After every few strokes, dip the foam brush tip into Mod Podge.While covering the whole puzzle surface in a thin layer of Mod Podge is what is most important here, using long, steady strokes may reduce the number of brush marks you will have to sand away later on.When you first apply Mod Podge Puzzle Saver, it is translucent white in the jar, but it becomes transparent when it dries.
Step 7: After finishing the first coat, discard the paintbrush in a zip- close bag.
You may be able to use a new foam-tipped paintbrush for every coat of Mod Podge you apply.The brush should be put in a zip-close bag until the next coat is applied.The brush won't dry in time for the second coat if you try to clean it with water.
Step 8: Allow the first layer to dry.
When Mod Podge goes from translucent white to transparent, it is mostly dry.If the Mod Podge is tacky but not sticky, it is ready for the second coat.In humid conditions, Mod Podge may take a bit longer to dry.
Step 9: In the same fashion as the first coat, apply a second coat.
After dipping the foam brush deeper into Mod Podge, brush on more of the material with each stroke.Don't just "glop" it onto the puzzle surface, use steady, even, long brushstrokes.You can use the brush from the first coat or the fresh foam paintbrush.
Step 10: Allow the second coat to dry for 30 minutes.
If the Mod Podge is still tacky, you need to test the puzzle surface.Try again in 5 minutes and repeat as needed.Don't flip the puzzle until Mod Podge is no longer tacky.In humid conditions, the drying time will be longer.
Step 11: The puzzle should be on the wax paper.
Remove the puzzle from the wax paper by lifting it by one edge.Peel, lift, and flip the puzzle to turn it over.2 coats of Mod Podge should be enough to keep the puzzle pieces in place.If you want to be careful when flipping the puzzle, you should grab 2 sheets of larger cardboard.Put the wax paper and puzzle on one sheet of cardboard, lay the other sheet on top, and flip the whole thing over.Remove the cardboard sheets, peel away the wax paper, and slide the new sheets underneath the puzzle.
Step 12: There is a thick layer of Mod Podge on the back of the puzzle.
Style points are not counted this time around.Give the entire back of the puzzle a good coating of Mod Podge.Extra protection is provided by this coating to make sure the puzzle stays together.Some people skip this step completely.It is recommended but not essential.
Step 13: After 15-20 minutes, turn the puzzle over.
Make sure the Mod Podge is not tacky by touching it with your finger.Remove the wax paper from the puzzle if it is stuck to the edge, then flip it right-side up.Place it on the wax paper again.
Step 14: Remove excess glue from the edges with a crafting knife.
Mod Podge extends over the edges of the puzzle.Lift one edge of the puzzle at a time and gently press a razor knife or other sharp crafting knife to the side of it to remove it.To remove excess glue, slide the blade along the edge.Make sure you don't cut yourself or the puzzle.If you want to frame the puzzle, you can skip this step and simply peel off any larger bits of glue with your fingers.
Step 15: Use #0000 steel wool to clean brush marks.
There are some dried brush marks on the glossy puzzle surface even if you have an exceptional Mod Podge brushing technique.Take a piece of #0000 steel wool and gently and evenly work it over the surface with small circular motions.Take a deep breath and blow the dust off the surface with a clean cloth.Steel wool is available at craft stores and online.
Step 16: Frame or display the puzzle.
You can display your puzzle by taping it to a wall with 2 coats of Mod Podge on the front and back.To add more elegance to your display, buy a picture frame that is large enough to hold your completed puzzle.It's a good idea to put the puzzle on a wooden table and then put a glass table over it.