A Quick Craft Question (Need Glossy Shine Over Construction Paper)

Cafe Society
1

Hey Crafty Dopers,

I’m currently working on a leisurely art project and have a quick question. I don’t really know how to google search it so I’ll try to explain it here and hope for some help.

One part of my project involves making a shape. For this shape/form, I have wrinkled construction paper until it becomes soft, and then glued it to the paper. I’m doing multiple layers to give the form a nice, textured look (think crumpled dollar bill.) I was hoping to accentuate it by putting some type of shine/gloss over it but I’m at a loss as to what I could use.

What type of gloss/varnish/shiney thing can I use? Anything that can be bought readily at a craft store would be great. It has to be something I can paint on or dab on as it is only part of the picture. I would like some shine to make the texture better stand out and help it look less first-grader-art-project-like.

Thanks!

2

Mod Podge, maybe? You could also try just white glue (do a test swatch first) and see if that’s glossy enough.

3

Mod Podge was going to be my suggestion too. It comes in several different finishes and should be available at almost any craft store.

4

Both sound good. I’ll try normal glue first and if that’s not good, go with the Mod Podge. Thanks! :slight_smile:

5

Acrylic gloss medium. Available in various viscosities.

Or, believe it or not, Future floor wax. Modelers use it all the time to add gloss.

6

There is, or used to be, a clear spray on gloss coat for metal miniatures. You’d probably have to make a mask so that only a portion of the work got coated with the spray. Look for it in the model car section of the store. There’s also a matte coat, for when you DON’T want the Shiny.

7

I wouldn’t recommend Mod Podge. My problem with it is that it never dries completely - even months later, it’s still a little bit tacky. I’ve tried to use it as a gloss coating on paper, paint, and plain wood, and always get the same result. Does anyone else experience this?

8

Testor’s Glosscote and Dullcote are the most common brands. But over construction paper I don’t think the Glosscote would work very well; I suspect the paper would soak it up and you’d get a blotchy appearance. That’s why I originally suggested gloss medium; because it would fill the pores of the paper better.

9

I’ve used a product called Triple Thick. It comes in both a spray and a brush-on. I don’t think the spray comes out quite as shiny, but it’s faster. Acrylic Paint and Art Supplies

I’ve heard of people using Diamond Glaze, but I don’t have any experience with it. I haven’t been impressed with Mod Podge for this purpose.