Thread: Awesome Facade..and cardboard help

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I would love to make this:

(The Fright Gallery 2002 - Construction 5)

but I want to do a simpler version of just cloth to put over my house. What do you think is the best cloth to use? I want it to be a tight weave, so i can paint on it, and it should be relatively thick. And I need a lot of it, so it can be really cheap. I was thinking about painter's drop cloth or some sort of canvas or tight weave burlap. Also, does anybody know how to waterproof cardboard? Please help! Thanks!

That's insane. I love it. You have to post pics once you get started.

I used cardboard for my graveyard fence columns, and what worked for me to waterproof them was acrylic/latex paint. It dries as a plastic skin, so it will be technically waterproof as long as there is NO bit of cardboard left uncovered. I caulked the edges before painting to try to ensure as water tight a seal as possible.

They are hollow, however, and not painted inside, so they do not get left out in heavy rain, but they few light rains I had, they held up fine.

BUT... it isn't going to kill me to make a couple of replacement columns, since they take about an hour start to finish. I'm not going to be heartbroken if a few of them break down... and for your project, I'd be devastated if THAT broke down due material failure.

For something like you would be using it for, it probably isn't worth the time and effort to use cardboard, since you couldn't possibly protect it from heavy rains/moisture and to make that large a design and put in all of the sweat equity that would be involved, it would really suck if it melted after one season. I'd recommend going with foamboard insulation, available in 4foot x 8foot sheets or plywood just so it would be sturdy and weatherproof.

Originally Posted by Frankie's Girl

BUT... it isn't going to kill me to make a couple of replacement columns, since they take about an hour start to finish. I'm not going to be heartbroken if a few of them break down... and for your project, I'd be devastated if THAT broke down due material failure.

I want to make the entire facade front out of cloth, painted to look like old siding, but i want to add this:

to my roof. I definitely will take your advice of not using cardboard. It looks like pretty much their whole facade was made out of cardboard, but they do a whole new set every year, so they probably didnt need it to last, but I do. darn budget! i wonder if they still have it, and want to give it to me for free? haha.

You check out their shows on YouTube? Unreal. All for free. Awesome.

That setup is amazing. Had to look around at the construction pics to realize what it all is.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? That's all cardboard?? That is the coolest thing I have seen all week. Very inspiring. I have been thinking of a way to cover my new, shiny, stark white garage door. And I have an airbrush that I'm pretty good with......hmmmmmmm

Canvas, like high quality painter drop cloth would be great for the detail painting, but keep in mind the kind of support that will be required to hold it in place. Also, if it rains, it will be VERY heavy. If you can deal with these issues and the cost of the canvas, it would look GREAT!

However, you might also consider surplus parachute material. It should airbrush easily and could be mounted to a PVC framework sliped over tall rebar pounded into the ground 18" or so. You might have to use stakes and fishing line to keep it straight.

If you go with the PVC, be sure to take the time to label the PVC when you dismantle and take lots of digital pics of the support work to help your "construction" next year. .... and to share with us here

Good Luck!

WOW! becareful of not only the rain but wind, there was a big wind a couple of years ago and it reaked havic on many haunt displays

Originally Posted by scareisburg

WOW! becareful of not only the rain but wind, there was a big wind a couple of years ago and it reaked havic on many haunt displays

Excellent point. However, even plastic sheeting can be properly supported to withstand substantial winds (30-45 mph gusts).

If you live where you expect stronger than that, maybe you should rig a "quick drop" - that allows you to lower the entire front to lay flat on the ground until the storm is over.

I explored that website. Seems they haven't done a "show" for two years now because of neighbor complaints.

Looking at the construction photos, that facade was no easy task. Funny, but I stumbled on a pirate ship facade that I LOVED and it turns out to be the same people. (look in the website archive)

It seems they had dozens of people to help. Welders, artists, etc. Those facades require a metal support rod, hoisted by a crane. Major work, imho.

I am building a pirate ship facade this year. I've been doing small scale experiments on different materials. Though a cloth canvas would hold up if I chose to use it another year, it is very heavy and I would be worried it would be a problem in a heavy rain storm. I found different tarps, but they are all made out of woven materials, which makes it hard to paint. They do offer grommets for easy staking though.

I found a place that sells larger pieces of 6mm black plastic sheeting. I went to Home Depot and bought a small roll. I've been using different types of paint or glue for detail. I've found that regular Elmer's glue is working best. I took a combination of mortar and sand and "sprinkled" it over some glue. It seems to be holding up.

Here is that sheeting website---

Black - 6 Mil Plastic Sheeting - Plastic Sheeting Supply