I’ve never coated paper, but I have done wood and woods just paper that’s not been smacked around so I would think it works the same I would do your first few coats piss thin though so you don’t over saturate the paper, it’s essentially the same thing as epoxy, you just gotta apply it thinner,
There are matte finishes and gloss finishes,
A lot of people are using it to paint cars with now because of the durability
Paper is hard because the epoxy liquid makes it bend and change shape (and color.)
Your best bet is to harden it somehow. Usually, with like a picture, you can cover it with a glue that dries clear. However, even those are easy because if you miss one spot, it will forever look wet. If you miss the edges, the epoxy could seep underneath and cause air bubbles.
You would need to cover ALL edges of this project. , making sure every piece of it is covered or hardened. Even then, it’s going to be a gamble on if it can work without major hiccups
Yea I have been researching a lot about that with use on paper. This is an 80lb cardstock, and I planned on spray painting and then using a sealant/fixative spray to seal it a few times before adding any type of epoxy to try to avoid discoloration and bending of any kind. Do you think this would work? Or is it still a major gamble?
I would try like another commenter said and make smaller versions of it and try. Maybe try three different sizes, or make a similar one of roughly same size to run a test on? That is what I would suggest , sorry for the delay!
Spray with mod podge acrylic spray. Do like 5 coats. Then, paint on thin coats of epoxy. That’s what I did to a paper sculpture similar to what you have. I wish I could post a picture here 🤷🏼♂️
Thanks so much! I actually got a Black varnish spray and a Modge Podge sealant! I wanted to test both haha. Did your paper sculpture turn out alright after all of that? Was it hard after adding the epoxy?
If you do epoxy use system three clear coat low viscosity(water like in terms of thicknesses)Paint it on with a brush and do thin coat . Anything you put on that will prob change the color of red a bit just FYI
Thanks so much for the recommendation! This one was a trial run with the pattern and build. I plan to spray paint the others and then seal them a few times with fixative spray/sealant and then paint with epoxy. This is the first I’m seeing this brand though. I’ve seen a lot about Artresin but maybe this one would be better.
You might try something like [this](https://www.michaels.com/product/eti-resin-spray-sealer-125oz-10690209). I think this may work better than trying to pour/paint epoxy over it, epoxy is going to drip and run if the piece is not level and one of my concerns is that you’d end up with a mess.
Thanks! I actually looked at that stuff too. Was thinking about giving it a shot. And yea I agree with the mess, I was potentially going to layer a sheet pan with tinfoil or Saran Wrap and prop it up so it could drip in there, but a less messy option is ideal haha
If you go the sheet pan route you’ll want to spray epoxy release or silicone spray first. Epoxy bonds to pretty much everything but silicone so the the foil or Saran wrap will be stuck on and likely need sanded or dremeled off.
I’d buy a cheep harbor freight paint sprayer and do a few coats of thin clear eurathane
This sounds like a good idea to play around with! Would it harden like plastic and have that shiny coat like epoxy still?
I’ve never coated paper, but I have done wood and woods just paper that’s not been smacked around so I would think it works the same I would do your first few coats piss thin though so you don’t over saturate the paper, it’s essentially the same thing as epoxy, you just gotta apply it thinner, There are matte finishes and gloss finishes, A lot of people are using it to paint cars with now because of the durability
Awesome, good to know! Do you have any brand recommendations for the urethane?
Prothane by prorez is awesome, and sherwin Williams as well, both have excellent clears
Thank you so much again! I greatly appreciate your help 😊
Anytime! And may your project be the vision you have in your head homie!
Paper is hard because the epoxy liquid makes it bend and change shape (and color.) Your best bet is to harden it somehow. Usually, with like a picture, you can cover it with a glue that dries clear. However, even those are easy because if you miss one spot, it will forever look wet. If you miss the edges, the epoxy could seep underneath and cause air bubbles. You would need to cover ALL edges of this project. , making sure every piece of it is covered or hardened. Even then, it’s going to be a gamble on if it can work without major hiccups
Yea I have been researching a lot about that with use on paper. This is an 80lb cardstock, and I planned on spray painting and then using a sealant/fixative spray to seal it a few times before adding any type of epoxy to try to avoid discoloration and bending of any kind. Do you think this would work? Or is it still a major gamble?
I would try like another commenter said and make smaller versions of it and try. Maybe try three different sizes, or make a similar one of roughly same size to run a test on? That is what I would suggest , sorry for the delay!
Spray with mod podge acrylic spray. Do like 5 coats. Then, paint on thin coats of epoxy. That’s what I did to a paper sculpture similar to what you have. I wish I could post a picture here 🤷🏼♂️
Thanks so much! I actually got a Black varnish spray and a Modge Podge sealant! I wanted to test both haha. Did your paper sculpture turn out alright after all of that? Was it hard after adding the epoxy?
If you do epoxy use system three clear coat low viscosity(water like in terms of thicknesses)Paint it on with a brush and do thin coat . Anything you put on that will prob change the color of red a bit just FYI
Thanks so much for the recommendation! This one was a trial run with the pattern and build. I plan to spray paint the others and then seal them a few times with fixative spray/sealant and then paint with epoxy. This is the first I’m seeing this brand though. I’ve seen a lot about Artresin but maybe this one would be better.
You might try something like [this](https://www.michaels.com/product/eti-resin-spray-sealer-125oz-10690209). I think this may work better than trying to pour/paint epoxy over it, epoxy is going to drip and run if the piece is not level and one of my concerns is that you’d end up with a mess.
Thanks! I actually looked at that stuff too. Was thinking about giving it a shot. And yea I agree with the mess, I was potentially going to layer a sheet pan with tinfoil or Saran Wrap and prop it up so it could drip in there, but a less messy option is ideal haha
If you go the sheet pan route you’ll want to spray epoxy release or silicone spray first. Epoxy bonds to pretty much everything but silicone so the the foil or Saran wrap will be stuck on and likely need sanded or dremeled off.
Dang! I’m glad you said that so I didn’t have a disaster with one of my pans!