Thread: Monster Mud Reaper

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This is the best i've seen on the net.....extremely simple and yet totally effective

i'm building my own monster mud reaper next week so this is very helpful

I am hoping to start my monster mud reaper this weekend. I have gathered all the supplies and now it is just putting it together. So be a good project, wish me luck.

It took me about a week to build my Reaper, but I didn't rush it at all. For example, I built the armature the first day (didn't take very long really, though forming the chicken wire was a challenge at first), then mixed up the monster mud and applied the burlap the second day. This actually did take some time and not only because I tossed one section of MM-soaked burlap onto the lantern arm. That caused all the PVC pieces to come apart since I didn't glue them together (duh).

I then let it dry for a day (seemed really dry though some say it can take 2 or 3 days to dry). I had to put on a second (and in some sections a third) coat of MM because my burlap was a wide weave, so there were a lot of holes that needed to be filled in. So overall it took me two-plus days for the MM part.

I then applied the Dryloc waterproofer and waited for that to thoroughly dry before I painted it. I then waited a day or so before applying the sealer.

I imagine you can cut down on some of the time needed by not busting up your piece like I did and using more appropriate fabric. But it is a great project and was a terrific introduction to me for both using MM and for building my own props.

Good luck and enjoy!

Rich

Thanks Rich for the heads up. I will take my time. My hope is to get the frame up today. Possibly get the burlap and monster mud up by Sunday and let it dry the week. Then waterproof it and seal it. What did you use for a sealer?

owensii,

I used Olympic Multi-Surface Waterguard. It had the additional benefit of being the cheapest one sold at Lowe's ($8 or so for a gallon, about half the price of the Thompson's). I applied two coats liberally, allowing the first to dry thoroughly, just in case the protection was also half that of Thompson's. Heh.

After the first rainstorm we had earlier this week, everything looked good. He developed a slightly bluish tint (which got me nervous at first) but after drying he returned to his regular color. The Reaper remains solid without any signs of moisture decay and it's raining again today. I'm more worried about the wind knocking him over again than water damage at this point. I think it's well protected.

Rich

I will look for that at lowes. I will posts some pictures if everything goes well. Thanks again for the help. Take care all and have a great weekend.

Well last night I got my frame built the only problem was getting the hood looking good. I used zip ties to attatch the wire netting and then folded over the chicken wire and tied it together. I cut my burlap into two pieces, the first piece was the middle piece, I cut a basic poncho shape for the middle portion and the second extended from arm to arm and made the hood. I think a third piece would have been good for a wrap around the bottom of the neck area. I mixed up my monster mud and got the burlap coated. I placed my burlap in a tote tub and that gave me more space to work the material. The mix was very cold for winter is coming to North Dakota, but got it done. You were not kidding on how heavy the material became with the mix. I place the body portion on and used an old piece of rope to hold the piece together and conceal the sides. It makes a good a belt for the reaper. I put up the other piece and there was some movement but the reaper held the weight. It is now drying and looks good. I did have to manipulate the hood piece the most to make if it look good. So afer drying I am hoping it will be alot lighter and then I will coat it, paint it and seal it. So far so good.

owensii,

Sounds like you've made good progress so far. Don't forget to take pictures and share!

Rich

geesh opete, that is sweet