Can Modge Podge be used for outdoor use?

Question

We're making a sign and it might be raining a few days, the directions don't say on the bottle.

Thanks

Answer 1

Actually, since Mod Podge is basically a thinned-down permanent white glue, it should be very water-resistant. If you *soaked* the dried glue in water, it would become cloudy and soften though so if you think it could rain hard for hours on end, it might be a good idea to also seal it with an acrylic wood finish (like Varathane, for example) to make it even more water-resistant.

I've heard that the decoupage medium called Royal Coat (by Plaid) is less affected by humidity that ModPodge is, so you might want to check that out at the craft store if you haven't already decoupaged it.

I'd probably just use *several coats* of thinned-down Elmer's GlueAll** (drying between each)... that would be the cheapest and would probably work fine.

(**don't get Elmer's "Washable School" glue though since it's water soluble even after drying)

You could also use some kind of clear film over the sign depending on its size and whether it's dimensional. Clear "Contact" paper is a tad frosty but would work well if you covered everything, or even overlapped strips of clear wide packing tape if your sign is smaller. Even a plastic bag could work if it were slipped over the sign tightly on the front (perhaps with spray adhesive or a bit of tape here and there), then open only at the bottom, or tightly shut.

Or you could paint over the parts of the sign that aren't decoupaged, with some acrylic paint to seal the porous paper or the board you're using... then everything related to the sign would be covered with a layer of highly-water-resistant acrylic.

Good luck... and good forethought!

Diane B.

Answer 2

No, it's water soluable, so the rain will wash off whatever you attach, but you can use it is you put a clear sealer waterproof over it, im sure you could find one at a hardware or craft store, maybe try a furniture sealer it may take a little longer to dry but it depends on what you are putting it on.