I recently discovered that with a little water added to plain white craft glue, the same crafts can be made, with the same results instead of using the more expensive Mod Podge as an adhesive/sealant/gloss.
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I use Murphy Oil Soap, to clean my paint brushes. I do decoupage, and the brushes get gluey. So I will soak them overnight in the oil soap, and they are clean again.
For decoupage, use a diluted solution of ordinary white glue to seal in the decorative paper you have applied to your object. It dries to a nice, shiny surface.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How can I use decoupage to seal an already framed print so it is waterproof and so I can be used as a tray?
Just apply it in several thin layers. If you don't have it, craft stores carry it in a brush on format and also a spray format. Thick coats should be avoided. You want several thin, even coats. Allow it to dry completely in between coats.
Use Modge Podge for the decoupage part and Krylon sealant to waterproof it.
I would like to know if you have to use Mog Pog or is there a way to decoupage cheaper just for practice?
Marilyn from P.Huron, Mi
I have always used watered down Elmers glueall or school glue. It is SO much cheaper!
You can mix 3 parts white glue to one part water for a modpodgish type finish.
I agree, diluted white glue works great and when you're done decoupaging, could you share a picture of your creation with us?
What I used to do was put some paint thinner in a quart jar, about a third of the jar and then take styrofoam egg cartons or other styrofoam works too (all the same color) and put them in the jar. The paint thinner will melt the styrofoam and the mixture will become thick.
Sounds very toxic. Not safe around children and definitely not food safe
What is the best sealer to use on a piece of paper glued to a piece of wood. I don't want to ruin the pictures I am putting on the wood.
You could use decoupage or ModPodge glue. It comes in a variety of finishes like antique and matte. Or you could make your own glue using three parts of Elmer's white glue to one part of water.
From Instructibles:
Use a water based polyurethane. Sand lightly between coats with a 250 or higher grit sandpaper
You can use shellac, varnish, Krylon clear sealer, or two-part resin such as they have at Hobby Lobby or Michael's.
I'm doing a project for an art class, and I'd like to use decoupage glue as a way to glue down a bunch of jewelry that I have laid out in a picture frame. If I were to pour the decoupage into the frame in layers, let it dry, and reapply layers until I've covered all the jewerly, would the glue dry clear onto the glass, or look weird from layering?
Currently the image shows the jewelry I have laid out the way I want, with the back cardboard back of the frame removed, and the glass on the bottom.
I would use Aleene's jewelry and metal glue. It is stronger.
Try Amazing Goop for a few bucks. Dries clear:
www.walmart.com/
I think it would peel. There is a product that Hobby Lobby and Michaels sell that is a clear resin. You pour and and it hardens. It can be several inches deep and when it dries it appears like it is a piece of glass.
This is what we used. Some kids put flowers in them, or shells or coins or jewelry. I teach science and tutor science on the side, so mine have bugs and butterflies in them. www.michaels.com/
I agree with mom-from-missouri: resin is your best option for a durable and long-lasting result. Check youtube for instructions.
Years ago there was a product you applied to the front of a thick item to decoupage, then when dried, you could wet and rub off the back, making the item plastic like and thinner to decoupage. Do you know if anything like this is still available? Thanks.
By Joyce G.
I remember using the product you are talking about called "Mod Podge" This is the official site of the product. I loved making stickers out of magazine photos.
Some profess you can take Elmers Glueall and thin with some water and get the same effect. It does work but the coating and dry time may differ. Don't use school glue though. This would work for smaller projects. I liked how you could coat a magazine photo with the mod podge and then when fully dry, dampen the photo on the back and gradually rub off the paper and be left with a nice picture that set flatly in place. I have not used it in years so do some test runs before doing anything permanent.
Another product is called Royal Coat.
I don't think you're thinking of Mod Podge, or Royal Coat (both of which are great products). It sounds like you're talking about something you make a decal/transfer with. Mod Podge is something you put on and use it to adhere a picture to a surface (decoupage).
Here are some descriptions of a variety of transfer products, I think you'll find what you're looking for:
ths.gardenweb.com/
www.vintageimagecraft.com/
blackberrydesigns.com/
www.theartfulcrafter.com/
You may be thinking of a product called "Decal-It" I believe it was made by Plaid (makers of ModgePodge) but have not seen it in awhile. Not sure they still make it any more.
How do you decoupage?
By Ann West
Most people buy a product called "Mod Podge" (sold at craft stores) & follow the directions on the container it comes in, but the cheapest way is to use a white glue (like Elmer's) & thin it 50-50 with water & glue then use this as your decoupage medium.
Directions:
Simply cut or tear out your paper (pictures or text) then apply the medium (glue or mod-podge) to the article being decoupaged using a paint brush, next apply the paper or fabric artwork to the wet area then apply another coat to the top of the artwork & let dry. Most people apply 3 or 4 more coats to the top to seal it. Mod Podge comes in Gloss. semi-gloss or Matte, whereas White Glue is kind of a semi-gloss. Have fun!
Do I really have to remove old decoupage before putting on new?
Just sand, paint and decoupage away. If you don't sand it will be "bumpy".
Not necessarily although it does depend on what item you are doing over again and how smooth you want it to look. If you don't want to bother, then just paint a nuetral color over the old decoupage and when dry, do it over again. Good luck
I'm new to mod podge with this being my 1st project. I did lots of research and watched videos. My project was to mod podge a photo to wood. It looked easy enough. My problem is it doesn't seem to drying clear like it should.
Modge Podge takes a while to completely dry. You also have to make sure you are using the right one. The matte one will not dry clear.
If I use the Elmer's glue as a sealer after gluing the print on, can I put a sealer like lacquer on the glue sealer? I need something water resistant.
By N. Portie from Sulphur, LA
Several coats of Elmer's should do it.
Decoupage is a traditional way to adhere paper to a smooth surface and newspaper clippings are a popular choice. This is a page about decoupaging with newspaper clippings.
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