Other: Paper Mache?

BackYardHaunter · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:13 PM

Does anyone have a GOOD recipe?? with the amounts and stuff? thank you to anyone that would help me.

-BYH

MokkNoir · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:43 PM

I use regular flour, water, and glue. I don't even bother to measure the amount of flour, but I dump about a cup in the bottom of a bucket. I then add some glue (it's not Elmer's glue, but a dollar store knockoff) maybe about a third of a regular sized bottle. Then I just spray some water in the bucket from the sink hose and start stirring it up. If it's too thick then I just add more water until it has the consistency of a slightly runny pancake mix. The paper tends to draw out some moisture from the mix as you progress, but you just add more H2O.

Some people use a straight flour and water mix, but I like to add some glue to give it a little more strength. Just go for it. You can always change your recipe and add a few more layers if you're not happy with it the first go around.

I've also experimented with making "clay". I mixed drywall compound with my paper mache mix. It molded very well like normal clay. I did see some cracking as it dried, but I haven't returned to it yet. I think that once I'm done, it will be fine. The painting and sealing should hold it all together.

UnOrthodOx · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:57 PM

An UnOrthOdOx Halloween: Power Grab Paper Mache?

Quote:

The UnOrthOdOx Power Grab Paper Mache

Need: 1 tube all purpose Power Grab
2 cups Flour
Water
Salt
pot you don't mind possibly ruining.

Measure 6 cups of water into the pot and bring it to a boil.
While it's heating up, in another bowl measure 5 cups water, 2 cups flour, some salt to prevent mold, and 1 tube power grab. I used a whisk I bought at the local good will store.

Now, add the contents into the boiling water, stirring constantly till it reaches the desired consistancy. Think pancake batter. (About 3-5 min) Let cool before using.

*Optional* If the smell bothers you, add in some cinnamon to the mixture to mask it somewhat.

This is the stuff I used to make Bob, and Charr.

I do cut the recipe in about half these days, unless I Know I can use a full pot in about a week or so. It does NOT freeze or refridgerate well.

trentsketch · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 04:51 PM

I do a variation of Stolloween's recipe, accounting for the fact that I get a ton of rain whenever I start working on paper mache projects for outdoors.

6 cups flour
1 cup liquid starch
12 oz diluted white glue (50/50 water/glue, much easier to mix this beforehand than trying to incorporate the glue and water later)
12 oz polyurethane floor finish
1/2 cup salt
mix until everything is incorporated and smooth
more flour if too wet, more water if too dry

The varnish seals the project while it dries, giving it a safe base for outdoor latex paint if you can't finish the whole project before it rains. I used all outdoor latex paints over the big figure pieces this year and didn't have to reseal. This mix stood up to a Halloween of non-stop rain that included torrential downpours for three hours.

The risk with the varnish as a final seal for the paper mache is that it is super glossy. I usually prefer a matte finish and wind up using many coats of a spray sealer for acrylic paint work.

BackYardHaunter · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MokkNoir

I use regular flour, water, and glue. I don't even bother to measure the amount of flour, but I dump about a cup in the bottom of a bucket. I then add some glue (it's not Elmer's glue, but a dollar store knockoff) maybe about a third of a regular sized bottle. Then I just spray some water in the bucket from the sink hose and start stirring it up. If it's too thick then I just add more water until it has the consistency of a slightly runny pancake mix. The paper tends to draw out some moisture from the mix as you progress, but you just add more H2O.

Some people use a straight flour and water mix, but I like to add some glue to give it a little more strength. Just go for it. You can always change your recipe and add a few more layers if you're not happy with it the first go around.

I've also experimented with making "clay". I mixed drywall compound with my paper mache mix. It molded very well like normal clay. I did see some cracking as it dried, but I haven't returned to it yet. I think that once I'm done, it will be fine. The painting and sealing should hold it all together.

yeah the flour and water with a little glue did the trick thanks again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnOrthodOx

An UnOrthOdOx Halloween: Power Grab Paper Mache?

This is the stuff I used to make Bob, and Charr.

I do cut the recipe in about half these days, unless I Know I can use a full pot in about a week or so. It does NOT freeze or refridgerate well.

yeah i saw how u made him that was really cool! but i went with a small batch with no boiling. im gonig to have to try that

Quote:

Originally Posted by trentsketch

I do a variation of Stolloween's recipe, accounting for the fact that I get a ton of rain whenever I start working on paper mache projects for outdoors.

6 cups flour
1 cup liquid starch
12 oz diluted white glue (50/50 water/glue, much easier to mix this beforehand than trying to incorporate the glue and water later)
12 oz polyurethane floor finish
1/2 cup salt
mix until everything is incorporated and smooth
more flour if too wet, more water if too dry

The varnish seals the project while it dries, giving it a safe base for outdoor latex paint if you can't finish the whole project before it rains. I used all outdoor latex paints over the big figure pieces this year and didn't have to reseal. This mix stood up to a Halloween of non-stop rain that included torrential downpours for three hours.

The risk with the varnish as a final seal for the paper mache is that it is super glossy. I usually prefer a matte finish and wind up using many coats of a spray sealer for acrylic paint work.

i really dont want to be sticking my fingers into floor finisher

but the latex top cote is a great idea just in case im going to put it indoors or out.

thanks for everyones help!

-BYH

FirstSpartan · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 03:54 AM

If they work I think they are all good. I myself use water, elmers white glue and powdered corn starch in 1:1:1 ratio. Easy to make and effective.

I am testing different glues and materials this winter to try and get a more weatherproof prop. Mine got a beating this year from the rains and winds. I've done a lot of searching and didn't find any information on paper mache recipes using weatherproof or waterproof glues. I've got 5 different recipes going out into the harsh Chicago weather this weekend to see how long they last, even a couple with plastic layers inside them.

BackYardHaunter · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 04:10 AM

^ yeah the flour-water-glue worked good for my first coat. i going to have toptn 3 more layers then paint and seal some how....

snix911 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 09:12 AM

I use corn starch and have made gallons of it . Use 1/2 cup to some cold water and mix till it looks like like milk the add it slowly to 1/2 gallon of boiling water bring back to boiling and then let cool. big brush and lots of news paper and get crazy it is very cheap about $1 for three gallons

snix
"they're so scared to be out there"

BackYardHaunter · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 02:15 PM

flour worked great im going to have to try corn starch

trentsketch · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

i really dont want to be sticking my fingers into floor finisher

but the latex top cote is a great idea just in case im going to put it indoors or out.

Believe me when I say I had absolutely no issues with the floor finisher. It really is a small percentage of the final mixture and not nearly as potent when mixed in with the flour and glue and liquid starch. Some of the mixture got on my clothes and came right out in the wash; same with any that got on exposed skin: came right off with soap and water. If anything, the floor finisher managed to speed up drying in very humid conditions: I mached in the morning and had a dry piece ready for painting in the early afternoon. I haven't experienced that before with just a mix of the other ingredients in any proportion. A pure flour/water mix in my area takes days to dry in August.

Besides, I would never consider paper mache-ing without a pair of gloves on, floor finisher or not. It's far too messy a process to treat it otherwise. Worst case scenario if there were an issue with the floor finisher: vegetable oil. Cuts right through it. Then you just need regular soap to get rid of the oil. I never work with the finisher without a small bowl filled with oil by my side.