Cheapest way to cover cardboard/masking tape?

[electrolove]

I wonder what the cheapest way is to cover cardboard/masking tape scenery per square metre? What options do I have?

[Anonymous]

I would think that the paper shop towel dipped in plaster slurry method would be the cheapest. If you tint the plaster with a powdered tempura you can end up ready to apply "vegetation" and other scenic elements.

If the cardboard and tape foundation is strong enough and has no large gaps you could use Joe Fugate's vermiculite/cement/etc. mixture but that looks to me to be more expensive.

Those are the only two methods I can think of but I am far from being an expert. I look forward to hearing about other options.

[Hudsonmike]

News paper and plaster mix is the cheapest .
that I Know of .
You have to work fast unless you make a Plasters Lime slurry first the night before than
add it to the plaster this is what plasters do, to let you have more time to work with the
plaster before it sets up. It gives you a lot more time to work the plaster.
Plasters even work out the inperfections the next day.
Hope this helps you out?
MIke

[nbrodar]

Brown paper grocery bags, (if you store still uses them) and plaster. Institiutional grade tri-fold paper towels work too. Bought in bulk, both the plaster and towel are inexpensive, and paper bags from the grocery store are free.

You also might want to look at dry wall mud. I use the pre-mixed stuff and tri-fold towels You can get it powdered for cheaper.

Nick

[cwclark]

newspaper cut in strips and dipped in plaster as stated above is about the cheapest way...putting a couple of capfuls of vinegar in the plaster mix will retard the set-up time...chuck

[jxtrrx]

I also like the industrial paper towels with plaster method. Mike to plaster a little soupy -- about the consistancy of buttemilk. Pre rip the towels into about 4" X 8-12" sections and flop 'em on. I like to crinkle them and bunch them uop a little to form ridges and other irregular shapes. Easy to paint, glue to, saw or cut out if needed.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Stop dipping anything into plaster.

The cheapest and by far easiest/less messy method of hard shell scenery is the cheesecloth method. And it is really fast.

If anyone is interested, check out Lee Nicholas' UCW web site, he has Kelly Newton's explanation on how it's done posted. I will never use anything else, it is so quick and simple you won't believe it until you've tried it.

[Anonymous]

That's an interesting technique. Thanks for pointing it out.

To save folks time, here's the link:

http://www.ucwrr.com/

Then click on Lelly Newton's Page link.

I'll have to play around with it some.


Mike Tennent