Alexei Volkov
Paper mache was a popular material with the Victorians, who used it to make furniture such as bookcases, tables, and chairs. Today, paper mache is a great way to upcycle old furniture, especially chairs. To paper mache a plastic chair, you can start by covering the chair with a release agent such as aluminium foil or plastic wrap, which will allow you to easily separate the paper mache from the chair later. Next, prepare your paper mache mixture by ripping up or blending recycled paper and mixing it with water or glue. Dip strips of newspaper or cardboard into the mixture and apply them to your chair, focusing on building volume and curves. Allow each layer to dry before adding more paper mache. Once you are happy with the shape, you can smooth out any imperfections with sandpaper and paint your chair with acrylic paint. Finally, you can seal your creation with UV resin or varnish for a glossy finish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Paper, wallpaper paste/glue, water, cardboard, newspaper, paint, UV resin or varnish/sealant spray paint, felt pads |
| Preparation | Cut cardboard into tubes and tape into a chair shape |
| Paper Mache Application | Dip newspaper strips into wallpaper paste/glue and water mixture, apply to chair, focusing on building volume and curves |
| Layers | Apply multiple layers, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next |
| Smoothing | Sand the chair with an electric sander or sandpaper for a smoother finish |
| Painting | Use acrylic paint to smooth over imperfections, apply liberally and allow to dry |
| Sealing | Brush on UV-sensitive resin and cure with a UV light, or use varnish/sealant spray paint |
| Finishing Touches | Add felt pads to the legs of the chair to prevent scratching floors |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare paper mache
To prepare paper mache, you will need paper, glue, and water. You can either rip up or blend recycled paper, or you can buy fine paper mache. If you want a smooth finish, it is recommended to purchase a fine grade of paper mache for the outer layer. For the glue, a water-soluble glue like Elmer's glue is a good option. You can activate the paper mache with just water, but the glue will help bind it to the chair. Mix your glue with water in a bowl until it reaches the consistency of a thick soup.
Next, tear your paper into strips. One source suggests strips of 1"x4", while another recommends using scraps of paper to build volume and curves. Dip the paper strips or scraps into your glue mixture, and begin to apply them to your chair. It is recommended to let each layer dry completely before adding additional layers. You may need to apply multiple layers to achieve your desired shape and thickness.
Once you are happy with your base layer of paper, you can coat your chair with a layer of fine paper mache to smooth out any imperfections and achieve an even coating. You can apply the paper mache with your hands or a foam brush. If you want an even smoother finish, you can sand the chair with an electric sander or sandpaper. Remember to wear a mask and work in a well-ventilated area when sanding, as the process creates a lot of paper dust.
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Apply paper mache to the chair
To apply paper mache to the chair, start by tearing your newspaper into strips of 1"x4". You can also use brown wrapping paper or recycled paper from discarded books. If you want a smooth finish, opt for a fine grade of paper mache for the outer layer.
Next, prepare your paper mache mixture. You can use wallpaper paste mixed with water, or simply use water to activate the paper mache. For a stronger hold, especially if applying mache to bare wood, use wood glue diluted with water. You can also add a bit of glue to your water mixture to help bind the paper mache to the chair.
Now, you can begin applying the paper mache to the chair. Dip your paper strips into the mixture and start from the bottom of the chair, working your way upwards. Focus on building volume and curves, and don't worry if the base layers are a bit rough—they will be covered with a layer of fine paper mache.
Once you are happy with your base layer, coat the chair with the fine paper mache to smooth out any imperfections and achieve an even coating. You can apply the paper mache with your hands or use a foam brush. Allow each layer to dry completely before adding additional layers.
After your final layer of paper mache has dried, you can further smooth the surface by sanding it with an electric sander for large areas and sandpaper for crevices. Remember to wear a mask to protect yourself from the paper dust.
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Smooth and sand the chair
Once you are happy with the base layer of paper on your chair, it's time to smooth and sand the surface. This process will help you achieve an even coating and a smooth finish. It is okay for the base layers to be rough, as they will be covered with a layer of fine paper mache. Apply a coat of fine paper mache to your chair, using your hands or a foam brush.
To achieve a smooth finish, you can use an electric sander to sand down the chair. For detailed work or to get into crevices, hand-sanding with sandpaper is recommended. Sanding creates a lot of paper dust, so it is important to wear a mask and work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Use fine-grit sandpaper and apply gentle pressure as you sand across the surface. Be careful not to over-sand, as this can create more gaps than it fills.
If you are looking for an extremely smooth finish, you can apply a layer of drywall joint compound or fine joint compound to your paper-mached chair. Spread the joint compound with a flexible silicone spatula, being careful to avoid important details or crevices. Let the joint compound dry completely, then use a damp sponge or cloth to gently rub over the surface, removing any excess compound. You can then let it dry again and, if desired, sand the surface lightly.
After smoothing and sanding your chair, you can move on to the painting stage. It is important to ensure that your chair is thoroughly dry before applying paint.
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Paint the chair
Painting your paper mache chair is a fun process that allows you to be creative and experiment with different colours and textures. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you paint your paper mache chair:
Prepare the Surface
Before you begin painting, ensure that your paper mache chair is completely dry. Paper mache can be prone to buckling, bubbling, and warping when it gets wet, so it's important to let it dry thoroughly. You can speed up the drying process by placing the chair somewhere warm and dry.
Prime the Surface (optional)
Applying a primer or base coat to your chair before painting can help you achieve a smoother finish and more vibrant colours. One option is to use white Gesso, a type of primer that provides a smooth base for your paint. Apply several thin layers of Gesso, making sure to cover all areas, including corners and creases. Let each layer dry completely before applying the next.
Choose Your Paint
The type of paint you choose will impact the final look of your chair. Acrylic paint is a popular choice for paper mache projects because it dries bright and waterproof, adding a glossy finish. You can also use household paint, especially if your chair is large. If you want a more matte or primitive look, consider watering down your paint slightly to reduce its shine.
Paint Your Chair
When you're ready to paint, start with the larger areas of your chair first and work your way towards the smaller details. Use a foam brush to apply the paint, and be careful not to saturate the paper with too much paint. It's better to use a semi-dry brush and build up the colour gradually. Allow each layer of paint to dry before adding additional coats until you achieve your desired coverage.
Seal Your Creation (optional)
If you want to protect your artwork and give it a glossy finish, you can seal your chair with a UV-sensitive resin or a spray sealant/varnish. Work in small sections, brushing on the resin and then shining a UV light on it for 3-5 minutes to set it. Alternatively, you can use a spray sealant in either a matte or glossy finish, depending on the look you want to achieve.
Add the Final Touches
Once your paint and sealant are completely dry, you can add the final details to your chair. Use waterproof marker pens, wool, beads, string, and other embellishments to make your chair unique. Don't forget to put felt pads on the legs of your chair to prevent scratching any floors.
Remember to be creative and have fun during the painting process. You can experiment with different colours, textures, and techniques to make your paper mache chair a true work of art!
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Seal the chair
Sealing your paper-mache chair is an optional but recommended step to achieve a glossy finish. You can use UV-sensitive resin or a spray sealant/varnish. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to sealing your paper-mache chair:
First, decide on the type of sealant you want to use. As mentioned, UV-sensitive resin or a spray sealant/varnish are popular options. If you choose resin, you will need to work in small sections and brush the resin onto the chair. Then, shine a UV light on the resin for 3-5 minutes to set it. Refer to the instructions for your specific resin product for the exact details, as it may require additional time under the UV light to fully cure.
Alternatively, if you opt for a spray sealant or varnish, follow the product instructions for application. These products usually involve spraying an even coat over the entire chair, ensuring you are in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
Allow the sealant to dry completely. This may take several hours or even days, depending on the product and the thickness of your application. Refer to the product instructions for guidance on drying times.
Once the sealant is dry, you can add any final decorations or embellishments to your chair. You can paint it with acrylic paint, perhaps in gold or silver for a particularly impressive "throne" look.
Finally, add felt pads to the legs of the chair to prevent scratching any floors. Now, your paper-mache chair is sealed and ready to be used and admired!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need paper mache, which can be made by ripping up or blending recycled paper, or you can buy fine paper mache. You will also need glue, water, paint, and a plastic chair.
It is recommended to use glue in addition to water to help bind the paper mache to the plastic chair. You can also use wood glue diluted with water.
It is recommended to do at least six to eight layers of paper mache to ensure that the chair can support weight. However, some Victorian paper mache chairs had up to 100 layers.
You can paint the chair with acrylic paint, or white emulsion paint. For a glossy finish, you can seal your chair with UV-sensitive resin or spray sealant/varnish.
