Super paper mache 1

[Tmoose]

We are making a full body shell Halloween costume for our grandson. I was thinking of using something along the lines of "super" paper mache.
I figure thickness is important for strength, so multiple layers will be applied. And interconnecting fibers, using Maybe an old sheet or even a towel.

My quest is for adhesive quicker and cheaper than polyester resin, and more flexible or even ductile than fast setting drywall compound or plaster. There are some recipes to make my own PVA glue, similar to Elmer's glue which is a standard ingredient for paper mache.

Any suggestions ?

 

[EdStainless]

PVA and cloth sounds like a great option.
Can you vacuum bag it? that would really force the layers together with minimal adhesive, and fewer voids.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[Compositepro]

Just use white wood glue straight from the bottle. Thin with water if necessary.

 

[Compositepro]

By the way, you can use chicken wire cloth or aluminum window screen as a form to create your shape.

 

[MintJulep]

I would not use a cotton based cloth. I think it will suck the water out of the glue too fast, curing at the fabric interface and skinnig over at the air interface, leaving very slow to cure glue in between.

Why does it need to be "super"? The standard newspaper and flour paste stuff is amazingly strong.

 

[BUGGAR]

How and who will get rid of this thing?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Too late for this year, sorry:

I made some lightweight scenery for a model railroad using Teri brand (nylon mesh reinforced) paper towels, wet with diluted white glue.
Two or three layers were sufficient for my purposes.
It was shaped by draping over crumpled newspapers and/or sticks for support, removed after drying.
It took > 12 hours to dry to useful strength (as opposed to regular papier mache', which takes weeks to dry).
Much lighter than plaster.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[3DDave]

For next year, there are

http://www.wonderflexworld.com/fosshape-frequently-asked-questions/

and

http://www.wonderflexworld.com/wonderflex-frequently-asked-questions/

They are more expensive materials than paper mache, but they are more durable, and for the same strength, lighter. They are certainly faster to work with.

Some people use

http://www.orthotape.com/fix-it-wrap-fixit-fiberfix-fiberglass-repair-tape.asp