Need paper mache technical tips for a smooth, light-weight, semi-transparent, weather-resistant ball?

Question

Looking for some advice from people who have worked with paper mache and can offer solutions beyond the basics. This is for a hot air balloon spinning prop for Halloween. The hot air balloon portion will be the only thing made of the paper mache (it will be attached to a basket holding a black cat). I have a 48" beach ball to work with and I want it to look like a giant jack-o-lantern. I want the balloon to be semi-transparent (I want to make it glow with LED lights or a flickering battery-operated jack-o-lantern light in it). What materials can I use to acheive this: orange tissue paper, construction paper, or paint it? How can I make it smooth and what type of paste can I use to make it sturdy/not rot. Is there a specific product I can get instead of a flour/glue solution? I'm trying to keep it light-weight enough for a spinning motor to carry it. If not I can just hang it. The most important thing is that it will glow, look smooth, and not mold so I can use it next year. Thanks!

Answer 1

You can try spray varnish, but for papier mache, you may just have to go ahead and make a new one every year. Try using powdered wallpaper paste instead of flour glue, which has to rot because it's organic. Any paper will give you a good glow. Just cut the pieces in shapes that will go along with your design, and use pieces that are already the color you want. That's how you can get your smooth look, because if you lay the pieces on in a random pattern, the lines will show when the light is turned on. I think you will find that it's a fun project anyway, and doesn't take too long, so don't worry if you have to make a new one each year. At least you won't have to store it.
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