Thread: Which weighs more: MonsterMud or Paper Mache?

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I'm building some giant spiders and I want to use large balloons as a sub-structure for the abdomens. I want to put something over the balloons, but I don't know which would be better, MonsterMud or Paper Mache?

Which would give me the lighter, but stronger shell?

Monster mud definetly is heavier. If your worried about the weight, I would go with paper mache for the structure and a basic skin coat for the mud. Keeps it light and still get the tougher exterior of the mud.

Great! Sounds like a good plan.

How about paper mache with celluclay over the top of the mache.
I used celluclay over the top of my pirate cannon, and it's still holding up after five years. You can roll out the celluclay into sheets with a rolling pin in between two sheets of wax paper. It's easier to apply that way. Fairly light weight too.

You can also use fiberglass resin over the mache to strengthen it

Holy Moses thats awesome!

I've never worked with fiberglass before. I have no idea how much that would cost, which is always a concern. I'm hoping to build several of these, so I need to be efficient.

I'm using fiberglass for the first time this year.

I probably overkilled it a bit, as it's going to be outside 365, but my chimera took about 3/4 gallon, at 6 ft tall, and roughly 6' square frame, I'd say he's ballpark the same coverage as your spiders. Bet I could have gotten away with 1/2 gallon.

The Gallon was $30.


There's also this stuff:

http://www.fxsupply.com/materials/pmache.html

And this stuff:
http://www.fxsupply.com/materials/ilr.html

Which I am trying out this year, but won't have a full review of effectiveness for some time yet.


But, to your question, yes, paper mache will be lighter, and it can be coated with varying products to be made just as durable. Personally, for a large project, I would use Monster mud, just because it's QUICKER. And time, for me, is a much bigger issue...

Bobzilla... How does the Celluclay hold up out in the elements?

Since we don't get much rain,etc. here, the cannon hasn't seen much of the elements. It did get rained on a few times, with no ill effects. The rain just rolled off and beaded up a bit. The cannon was sealed with water repellent, can't remember which kind? I'm sure Drylok, or something similar would keep the Celluclay safe from the elements Even with all the Cellucaly on the cannon, there's no signs of cracks or any delamination after 5 years.

Originally Posted by Terra

Bobzilla... How does the Celluclay hold up out in the elements?