How to make paper mache paste.
First you pour the white glue into a bowl and put in some water at a four part glue, to one part water.
Sometimes with paper mache pasters people can use wallpaper paste which works nicely if you aren’t crafting with kids. Wallpaper paste is toxic however, so use a non-toxic glue like white glue when you are doing paper mache with children.
A wheat paste is sometimes used by paper mache crafters, however this is the simplest paper mache paste recipe available.
Stir the glue and water until the mixture is smooth and even.
Enjoy your craft and we hope these videos were helpful.
See the lovely series in full by checking at the videos at these links:
Steps and Supplies to Create a Paper Mache Bowl
Making Paper Mache Glue for Your Project
Decorating and Finishing the Paper Mache Bowl
Will keeping this mix in the refrigerator make last long for other projects?
Just a hello to Jonni and all the people who post their comments, I am new to Jonni’s process and the whole concept of paper mache and I gain a great deal from reading your postings. Thanks, Lynnie
Glue and water mix is an easy option, but if working with students, be aware that they may have strong aversions to the texture and its similarity to bodily fluid. Not to be crass, but I have had a lot of high school boys get very freaked out about using it- to the point that they said they’d rather get a zero than put their hand into the mixture.
This is a traditional classic recipe that works well, but the smell of the glue and water mix PU!!!
Has anyone tried a combination of water, flour, glue and/or cornstarch?
I’ve used the boiled flour/water recipe with the addition of Elmer’ s Glue and it was fantastic. Dried hard as rock, held its shape awesomely. I’m actually about to try the raw version, as described on a previous page here.
I just eye ball it with Elmers glue. Just as long you don’t put to much water, stir it well till its cloudy white and still feels sticky. No baking needed. It is super easy and hardens after 5 or 6 layers. After decorating and painting, I like to paint the final product with clear varnish to ensure no moisture that can destroy your masterpiece.
I was planning to make an armor for my cosplay but I dont have those complicated items :\ I live in the Philippines, they dont have much. I was wondering if I could use this? will it be strong enough?
I am considering, making a paper mache shape. The balloons I am using as the basic shape, (about 24″ long & a dinner plate in dimension) will be completely encased, in the paper mache.
Going through these process(es), seems to be a very time consuming project.
I do not want the chance of any mold/mould, to keep my project, until it falls apart from very old age. I have investigated several online recipes. Flour & water uncooked – some include salt? to counter the possibility of mould/mold!!! I do not want to use wallpaper paste, I am an adult, but there are ENOUGH toxins out there as it is!!!!!!!!!!!!
The school glue? One series of videos, the lady used a paint brush? She applied the paste to both sides of the paper & with the brush then to the balloon. (I think I used my fingers, in elementary school?) Her paste recipe – about 4 parts glue to 1 part water? I paper mached X2 in elementary school, (I think I am fond of the memories of my experiences & the creations, smiling =))) ) But that was decades ago. =)))
So I think what I am asking? Is how do I prevent the possibility of mold/mould. I am ahead of myself, I have already bought some acrylic paint.
I have more questions, but they will wait!
Thank you =)))
You can put it in the oven for about 10 to 15 mins keep temp under 200 F.This will help to dry it quicker.
I’m working on my first paper mache project since my school days too. Salt is supposed to help. Also I expect bicarbonate of soda could help by making the mixture too alkaline for mould to grow?
What I’m trying, and I’ve no idea if it will work, is citric acid to lower the pH to about 5 and potassium sorbate to inhibit mould. I also add cinnamon as it enhances the preservative qualities of the p. sorbate.
For each cup of water (I use raw flour/water as the paste), I use a pinch of citric acid and about half of 1/4 teaspoon p. sorbate, plus a shake of ground cinnamon. I have these ingredients already to preserve my home made moisturiser and am hoping the same effects would work for paper mache. If you’re really worried about mould, it might be worth buying these (they aren’t costly since you only use small amounts and are non-toxic if diluted as above).
paste for paper mache
I used to use flour and water but I did have problems with mold and/or a bad smell from the paste. I started using white glue/water and it worked fine but when the students painted the finished sculpture, the paint and glue separated! I had them sand the mask first but some are still separating. It looks like crackle paint! Any suggestions?
TRY A DROP OR TWO OF DISHWATER DETERGENT INTO THE PASTE BEFORE USING. CHEMICALLY IT IS KNOWN AS A “SURFACTANT” WHICH REDUCES THE SURFACE TENSION OF THE MIX. kIND OF LIKE THE DIFFERENCE IN WATER BEADING UP ON DRY SAND OR SOAKING INTO WET SAND.
YOU CAN PUT A FEW DROPS IN THE PAINT AS WELL.
after your project has dried completely and before painting, use spray or paint-on primer such as kilz. this will stop the crackling effect!
The glue shrinks a lot when it dries. That is why wood glue is so strong. It shrinks and pulls the two parts together. Your project must be completely dry before you paint it. You can use glue to create a crakle effect by painting strips or Y shapes onto the object and then coating immediatly with final paint. When the glue dties it will shrink and crack the paint.
Keep painting it. The cracks should go away.
Nice video. This paste will make a very strong bond with the paper, and will dry clear so you don’t see the paste itself after the project is done.
I did some experiments with the traditional flour and water pastes and found that the uncooked paste (just flour and water mixed together really well – use a portable mixer – is actually stronger than the boiled recipe, but it doesn’t dry clear like this glue-based paste will.
I will add a link to your video to my blog, and bookmark your page. Thanks for the good advice.