Great idea!
Thanks for posting this
Thanks for posting this
New Paper Mache Recipe
I am working on a ground breaker. I had seen a lot of different ways of making paper mache. I saw most people were using Elmer's glue but it is pretty expensive. I wasn't crazy with the mess of flour based as well as dealing with mold. I saw a few people were using carpet tack (glue) but it is super sticky and a bit difficult to work with. I decided to combine Elmer's glue with carpet tack. I wasn't sure how this was going to work but thought is was worth a shot. Carpet tack is super thick, so it needs to be thinned way down so it will be easier to work with and not so sticky.
The results:
This worked way better than I thought it would. It dries hard but flexible. It is very tough with only 1 layer.... It is puncture resistant. Very very cool. The only negative it takes longer to dry. Parts were still dampish after 24 hours so plan on using a fan to speed up drying. It dries brownish in color.
![Plant]()
Arms are shop towels and body is news paper. Only 1 layer.
Here is what you need.
1 quart of premium carpet adhesive (got mine from Menard's less than $4)
(2) 7.65 oz Elmer's glue
Large plastic container w/lid (want the longer not as deep one)
And something to stir with
Rubber / latex gloves for application
![Solvent Plastic Floor Paint]()
1. I used about 1/3 of the carpet tack into the container.
2. Add both containers of glue.
3. Mix thoroughly (will be pudding like)
4. Using the empty glue container fill with water and add to mix. Stirring this sucks cause the water sloshes out of the container so just put the container lid on securely and shake.
5. Add another container of water and shake
6. Add a half container of water and shake.
(Total of 2 1/2 containers of water roughly 18oz of water) (I will explain the water below)
Should look like thin pancake mix.
![Water Platter Food Cuisine Dish]()
Application:
I use rubber gloves and you will need them. Dip both sides of news paper. Hold up news paper over container and remove excess glue. I use my index finger and middle finger to make a squeegee. Index finger on one side of the paper and middle finger on the other side. Squeeze fingers gently together and pull down. Do this a couple of times rotate upside down and do it again.
Added Water:
I originally tried with no water. It was difficult to work with and it didn't wet the news paper. Adding the water made it much easier to work with.
The results:
This worked way better than I thought it would. It dries hard but flexible. It is very tough with only 1 layer.... It is puncture resistant. Very very cool. The only negative it takes longer to dry. Parts were still dampish after 24 hours so plan on using a fan to speed up drying. It dries brownish in color.
Arms are shop towels and body is news paper. Only 1 layer.
Here is what you need.
1 quart of premium carpet adhesive (got mine from Menard's less than $4)
(2) 7.65 oz Elmer's glue
Large plastic container w/lid (want the longer not as deep one)
And something to stir with
Rubber / latex gloves for application
1. I used about 1/3 of the carpet tack into the container.
2. Add both containers of glue.
3. Mix thoroughly (will be pudding like)
4. Using the empty glue container fill with water and add to mix. Stirring this sucks cause the water sloshes out of the container so just put the container lid on securely and shake.
5. Add another container of water and shake
6. Add a half container of water and shake.
(Total of 2 1/2 containers of water roughly 18oz of water) (I will explain the water below)
Should look like thin pancake mix.
Application:
I use rubber gloves and you will need them. Dip both sides of news paper. Hold up news paper over container and remove excess glue. I use my index finger and middle finger to make a squeegee. Index finger on one side of the paper and middle finger on the other side. Squeeze fingers gently together and pull down. Do this a couple of times rotate upside down and do it again.
Added Water:
I originally tried with no water. It was difficult to work with and it didn't wet the news paper. Adding the water made it much easier to work with.
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I've bookmarked this as I'm always trying out new paper mache and paper clay recipes. One question though, does the carpet adhesive have a strong odor? My daughter is six months old and she's near my work area so I'm avoiding anything with a strong or noxious odor unless I can work outside.
One question though, does the carpet adhesive have a strong odor? My daughter is six months old and she's near my work area so I'm avoiding anything with a strong or noxious odor unless I can work outside. 
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
