Thread: paper mache clay help

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Ok. I need help. My neighbor gave me the top 1/2 of a mannequinn & I would like to make something out of it. I as thinking about using paper mache clay (which I have never used before) to distort the face & body to make it more ghoulish. Will the clay stick to the hard plastic, if not, what else could I use? Also, can it be made waterproof like monster mud? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanx everybody

How come none of my neighbors ever give me a mannequin torso?

You could try a thin coat of tissue paper and Mod Podge or glue for a base skin, then build up features in clay or paper pulp.
I am sure a lot of things would work. I use a lot of DAS and creative paper clay; they blend good, air dry, and don't shrink.
The DAS may even stick to the plastic without a skin, but all plastics are different I find.

O, a base skin, never would have thought of that. Thank you Mizerella

dreamcatcher923,

Mizerella gave you a good suggestion; I use a paper mache base usually when I cover something.

I use a home-made paper clay mixture based on Stolloween's recipe and I simply use deck waterproofer without problem. I also buy the cheapest I can find, which thus far has proven to be the Olympic brand (Thompson's WaterSeal is much more expensive). My props are out in the yeard from Oct 1 to Nov 1 in all kinds of wet and wild weather and I've never had a problem.

Typically, with my paper mache I'll coat that with spar varnish to protect the layer. Once dry I cover it with the paper clay. After that dries I put on a coat of primer and then my paint. When the paint dries I spray on two coats of the waterproofer, letting it dry between each coat. Each year after that I give my props a single coat of waterproofer for an added bit of protection. I figure between the spar varnish, the various layers of paint, and the waterproofer that prop is pretty well protected against the elements.

Hope that helps.

Rich

Thank You Rich I knew the waterproofing stuff worked on monster mud (my reaper is still out from last year, although he has shades & a lei on now). But I wasn't sure it would work on paper, thought the rain would destroy everything. Thanx again.

I have used the "Minwax" brand of spray on "Polycrylic (water based) Protective Finish" on my paper mache clay, paper mache and monster mud props. It works very well. I haven't had any problems with my props and I also leave mine out from Oct 1 thru Nov 1. The spray on can be a little expensive, but it is worth it to me for the ease of use and the ability to seal a prop quickly.

I wish I had a bigger yard too. One of these days I'm gonna ask my neighbors to "borrow" theirs, lol. Thank you Sinister Sid

I actually do borrow my neighbors yard a little. They don't mind. In fact they are a little excited to be involved. They want me to create a two yard haunt involving their entire yard. Plus the neighbors across the street want me to make a walk thru "haunted house" type of haunt for them next year.

That is awesome!!! We have huge woods across the street which I would love to make into a walk through. But the town would never let me Lol.

I used to use paper mache clay on my Lombardi trophy replicas, but I found that after it dries, it still absorbs water and starts coming apart when it gets wet. You definately want to make sure you seal it well or it will come apart if it gets exposed to water.