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hello people, would appreciate any help.
I have made a structure out of various things such as foam, scrunched up newspaper, and found objects. The parts made out of scrunched up paper are smushy after being paper mached. I used wallpaper paste as an adhesive. How do you make the paper mache hard and durable as an art piece. I figure i could do more layers of paper mache, but this time dont have the time or patience. What would you reccommend to paint or spray with to give it a sturdy hard shell? I want it to last as is being exhibited and possibly sold as artwork. Also what to use in the future as a harder adhesive?
thank you everyone
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It sounds like it's not dry. Could you set a fan to blow on it? Is it in an area (like outdoors) where it could be absorbing moisture from the air?
PM, properly applied, is usually quite hard when dry. But you would still have to seal it. And if it's for outdoor use, it's continued existance could be questionable. Jackie, here at the forum, did some experiments and discovered that marine varnish is the best thing as a final coating. But even if you use that, you would have to be incredibly careful that you don't leave any unsealed gaps where moisture could enter.
Sue
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Its definitely not wet just still flexible. Maybe I need more layers of paper but in a rush.
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Wallpaper paste won't allow the piece to become hard. To get it rock hard (seriously) use good-old flour and water instead of wallpaper paste. Once dry it will literally be rock hard. Alternatively, you could use white glue but even that won't be as hard (or cheap) as flour and water.
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Personally, I avoid flour since any dampness can induce rot. Also, in some conditions, it can be brittle.
I use the 75% wallpaper paste (or methylated cellulose) and 25% PVA (white/Elmers).
Scrunched up paper, pasted, will never become really hard. You have to have layers or dried pulp to achieve that. I don't know any of the work without reasonable patience . . . so you'd better practice some!!!
A possible way to toughen, is to brush paste onto a smooth, cleanable surface and lay a sheet of paper on it. Brush again and lay another until you have about 2mm thickness. Put a plastic sheet over and roll it down firmly. Leave it to partially dry. You should then have a material almost like leather. Lay it over the original shape. Use a heat blower to help shape it. When fully dry it would be quite hard.
DavidO
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