Thread: Waterproofing Cheesecloth Ghost?

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Hi all!

Last year, I made a ghost out of a styrofoam head and cheesecloth (FCG without the actual crank!). She hung in the spare bedroom window with a black light.

This year, that spare bedroom is a nursery (due in July!), so there's really no window to put the ghost in.

I'd like to place her outside near the graveyard (without the black light). However, I don't want to put her up/take her down every day. I'd love to be able to leave her out all the time without worrying about rain.

Any way to waterproof cheesecloth? Something like "Aqua Armor"?

Thanks!

I'd say as long as you have her under the eaves you'd be fine. Cheesecloth is meant for straining liquids so it's not gonna melt away if it gets wet. You might want to see if whatever you used to make it UV reactive will rinse off, though. If it's completely outside, direct rain might also take paint off the styrofoam so you might want to clear coat that with something.

I agree with Xane, many props (bought or home made) are draped in cheese cloth and are intended for use outside. You may want to UV protect it depending on how early you put your decorations out. I find wind the worst culprit to cheese cloth; it tangles the cheese cloth, especially if it is really distressed or drapey. Also another thing to consider, typically the FCG type construction is not that robust, probably best to keep it in a protected area as well.

Thanks, guys.

Agreed on the reinforcement of the ghost! She would definitely be too flimsy...

What is this UV protection thing?

For just the fabric you can find UV/waterproofing spray in the sporting goods department of Wall to Wall Mart. For "everything" (especially since this is not clothing you will be wearing), a clearcoat spray paint would be better. Krylon makes one, I think. You will want to test it in a small area to make sure it doesn't make any paint bubble or come off first.

Originally Posted by Monroe58

This year, that spare bedroom is a nursery (due in July!), so there's really no window to put the ghost in.

Bah, nursery schmursery! He's/She's your kid so you gotta learn 'em early that Halloween is a priority & that he/she will be giving up his/her window for at least one month a year!!

I keed, I keed!!

Congrats on the baby & good luck with the ghost!

Ditto on the wind thing, cheesecloth will tangle itself all up in a wind. You could always use fabric stiffener on it to keep it in shape but I'm not sure how waterproof that stuff is.

There is a spray on protector called SunArmor, I have used it on outdoor fabrics around the deck. It actually works pretty well. You can get it on line many places.

Originally Posted by RCIAG

Bah, nursery schmursery! He's/She's your kid so you gotta learn 'em early that Halloween is a priority & that he/she will be giving up his/her window for at least one month a year!!

I keed, I keed!!

Congrats on the baby & good luck with the ghost!

Ditto on the wind thing, cheesecloth will tangle itself all up in a wind. You could always use fabric stiffener on it to keep it in shape but I'm not sure how waterproof that stuff is.

Haha! Oh, this child will LOVE Halloween! I've already got my stepkids running around the graveyard howling and pretending to be zombies, and my stepdaughter finds it absolutely necessary to drive along certain routes in order to see the 'Halloween houses.' I have taught them well.

Thanks for the advice, everyone! It means a lot to someone who is still pretty new at props.

i wouldnt mind trying my hand at that.... (writing the ideas down)