Thread: How strong is Monster mud?

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So this years Prop building is basically over for me. Its time to start planning things for next year. After seeing so many of you working with Monster Mud it got my curiosity going. I have a few ideas in mind for some reapers but i have never used this stuff before. Is monster mud strong when it dries? How well does it hold up to the elements? How many years of use can you get out of these. I feel as if it would deteriorate over the years. Any advice any of you can offer me is greatly appreciated.

Nick

1031 Props

monster mud is strong but brittle. The main ingredient in the texture compound most people use is chalk or gypsum. The addition of latex paint gives it better flexibility but in no way helps make it weather resistant. Also if you use the dry powder and mix your own, there is more strength and resistance to moisture due to the addition of plaster of paris. either way the finished piece needs protection from the elements. This is where dryloc comes in. So in short, if you use a hot mud with a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio to paint and the dryloc the piece it is very durable and weather resistant, but heavy.