thinkinlikegavroche Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I have a $100 dollar budget for my dollhouse project and so far I have spent about $102 so I need to find ways to do what I want to do without costing anything. What can I seal my various projects with that won't be expensive like Modpodge is?? Will polyurthane work? Layers of glue? Hairspray? Nail polish? I want my house and items to be durable, seeing they will probably be played with and become a heirloom someday. I will be coating everything from faux stonework to clay to wood to paper to furniture... Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Med Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 If you already have white carpenters glue try mixing it 50/50 with water and using it as a sealant. I do this on raw MDF but I've never tried it on the other stuff you mention so go carefully and try a bit at a time to see if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparklepuppies Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 You can also seal with primer, gesso, or old latex paint leftover from a real life house project. Remember though, don't do this for any areas that you wish to stain, like floors. Stain won't stain your sealer. In that case, the stain itself will act as the sealer, then you can coat that with poly or varnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreativitea75 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I painted a piece of wood to look like marble and didn't have any gloss mod podge so I used nail polish. I am a little worried about it chipping off and it does not stick to anything with glue - so I would be wary of that. Really good question, though, considering Mod Podge is about $7 a bottle and I can go through that stuff like water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I've wondered the same thing about Modge Podge. I love the stuff but its very expensive. I thought Elmer's school glue would do the same thing. I am going to experiment with it and let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkinlikegavroche Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 http://workinwithkids.wordpress.com/2010/0...-make-your-own/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 I've sealed with clear nail enamel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caseymini Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Roxxie, don't use school glue. It's not perminent and is water soluable. Elmer's glue all is better. I have used that at half strength to adhere fabric to the front of full sized drawers and is works the same as modpodge. Just use water to loosen it. You want about the consistancy of heavy cream. Not too thin. It is also cleanable with a wet sponge when it is dry. I also use it in a spray bottle to cover foundations for lawns and then sprinkle railroad greenery on it. It is much easier than using a brush. Just be sure to clean the bottle as soon as you are done, if it is a bottle that you want to use again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judithfa Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 I have used the regular Elmer's Glue-All mixed with equal parts of water. Just let each application dry well before the next. You can add a coating of clear water-based polyurethane over it at the end. :hug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beyourpet Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) I found an off brand of modpodge at Micheals, it works the same as modpodge (MP is pretty expensive! I think this was at least $4 cheaper than the $8 MP). I've seen some recipes on Pinterest of how to make wallpaper paste and modpodge glues at home, haven't tried them but they're probably also cheap alternatives. Edited April 19, 2013 by beyourpet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeZZsi Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I think they have recipes online to make your own at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 'Way back in the pre-Mod Podge days when I played decoupage I used clear lacquer or varnish, whatever I had on hand at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
More Minis Dollhouses Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 I usually seal things with clear acrylic varnish but it is expensive. A large bottle is almost ten bucks so I usually wait for the 50% off coupon from Michael's in my email to buy it. I have never used ModPodge to seal anything but I have used it as a cheap alternative to wallpaper mucilage. I do know that basically you can create ModPodge yourself by thinning out tacky glue to the same consistency as it. ModPodge use to be cheap, they must have raised the prices on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ica171 Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I've read that you should not thin glue with water to act like Mod Podge. Just use the glue (Elmer's type) as is. This is especially true if you're using it for decoupage with paper; you will almost certainly get wrinkles if you cut it with water. Apparently Mod Podge has hardeners and varnishes in it that mean that it's more than just PVA glue and water. Brittanie, did you like the generic Mod Podge? I saw some at Hobby Lobby once and it sounded very thin, like water, when I shook it, so I didn't buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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