Decoupaging a desk?

Question

I've never used modge podge and i don't know if im supposed to put it down first or how it's going to work. But i want to decoupage newspaper comic strips to my desk. The desk is from ikea and will not be painted so i don't know if that will be a problem. I've heard that modge podge is best (the non glossy kind its sticky)...but i've also heard of elmers glue and water mixture that you dip the paper into then onto the desk.
Thnxs for any resonses...it will be such a great help!

Answer 1

Modge podge is great stuff.

You can water it down if you'd like and then smooth the paper down onto the desk, but this could cause the ink to run and possibly have the back side show through.

I'd suggest using a paintbrush to apply the modge podge to the desk then putting the strip down on top and smooth it out. It's better to use an unfinished desk as if it had finish it could affect the way the paper adheres.

Once you have smoothed the strip out, let it dry and apply another coat of modge podge on top just for good measure. I've done several coats depending on the desired effect- you can create layered illusoions with multiple layers of modge podge between paper layers.

Once thing to keep in mind is that modge podge is not waterproof, so you may want to spray the desk with a clear coat once you've finished just in case something spills on it.

Don't use the flour mixture because it can go mouldy and you don't want that.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I think half Elmer's Glue and half water will be sufficient to make a mixture to use for dipping the strips. Once they are saturated, you can apply them to the surface and gently smooth them out. Be sure that they are where you want them because they are not going to be easily removed, especially if the surface is not sealed.

Not knowing what "modge podge" is, I would also recommend a flour-water paste similar to that used in papier mache (sp). The idea is to soak the adhesive into the paper and then apply the paper to the surface.

Decoupage will last a long time. When I was in college, two of us decoupaged the entire downstairs bathroom at the fraternity in Playboy et al. centerfolds. The entire display lasted through four years of showers, winter damp and other moisture events.

Answer 3

i used to decoupage all the time. i bought this stuff for it at michael's craft store (i honestly don't remember what it was called, could have been mod podge). the problem with elmer's is that it will discolor, so unless you want them yellowish, don't use it. the stuff at michael's will dry clear and stay clear or they have one that antiques it (not yellow like elmer's, but kind of a sepia wash over it).
you slap it on the desk, plop the pics on, smooth them out, then put another layer on top. being a desk though, you are going to have your skin on it all the time, i'd have home depot or somewhere that can cut glass cut you one to fit.