Attaching paper to enclosure direct

[Kesh]

Rather than messing around with paint and decals, I noticed this guy just glued laminated paper to his stomp box and then clear coated.



Original thread is here: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=31785.

I really like the effect, but thread doesn't say what glue was used. Any ideas about glueing laminated paper to boxes?

[Seljer]

The 3m spray adhesive seems to be a popular choice for such applications. The laminating might help, but in my experience, using any 'regular' glue on normal paper turns it slightly translucent which might not be what you're going for.

[diydave]

I've used photopaper with a laserprinter once (like you would do a pcb the toner way).
Just glued it on the box with 'Pritt'  (paper glue in a stick) and sprayed it with clearcoat.
Worked like a charm.

[R.G.]

decoupage

or

epoxy down, epoxy over


Some boats have been built by using epoxy saturated thin sheets of cedar or other woods.

[B Tremblay]

I've used paper labels for the last six years.  The label is made with an inkjet printer on glossy photo paper, then I use spray adhesive to affix it, and multiple coats clear.  I've used the 3M and Duro adhesives.  The Duro allows for a bit more adjustment while the 3M is super sticky and doesn't make repositioning easy.  I generally use semi-matte Krylon clear coat.

It's pretty quick and easy, with results that I've been pleased with so far.



Here are a customer's pedals that have been used in gigs over the past five years.  The white one was powder-coated and shows nearly zero wear.

[RandomGlitch]

I used spray mount on mine.  It's pretty sticky. Then I just add lots of coats of spray lacquer.


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It's funny how similar all these look!!!

[sgmezei]

I use Modpodge. It is sold at all craft stores and even walmart. It is for decoupage. Works like a charm.

[Kesh]

I've used paper labels for the last six years.  The label is made with an inkjet printer on glossy photo paper, then I use spray adhesive to affix it, and multiple coats clear.  I've used the 3M and Duro adhesives.  The Duro allows for a bit more adjustment while the 3M is super sticky and doesn't make repositioning easy.  I generally use semi-matte Krylon clear coat.

I used spray mount on mine.  It's pretty sticky. Then I just add lots of coats of spray lacquer.

I use Modpodge. It is sold at all craft stores and even walmart. It is for decoupage. Works like a charm.

All on bare metal?

[B Tremblay]

Yes.  I give it a cleaning with rubbing alcohol first, but no other prep.

[RandomGlitch]

Yes, I just gently cleaned the enclosure with detergent first and green scouring pad, rinse and dry well (obviously with no electronics inside!).  Tremblays' alcohol would work too. Apply spray mount to both surfaces wait til it goes tacky before applying.

[sgmezei]

Yeah just clean the grime off. Those enclosures can show up dirty and have oil or other junk on them. Don't want that to leak through onto light colored paper or fabric.

[RandomGlitch]

I'd never heard of ModPodge before.  Sounds interesting, though in my quick search it's expensive here in Australia.  Maybe regular pva is similar? Might try that, watered down a little perhaps.

Anyway your blue and white bird design looks awesome, sgmezei.  Has given me an idea to try some flock wallpaper on my next one, for that curryhouse vibe!   

[artifus]

I'd never heard of ModPodge before.  Sounds interesting, though in my quick search it's expensive here in Australia.  Maybe regular pva is similar? Might try that, watered down a little perhaps.

yup. i just googled 'diy mod podge' :

Fill jar half way up with white glue
Then fill jar up with water.
Shake Well.

This is a 50-50 mixture glue/water.

It will have a Matte finish.
If you would like a Glossy finish, add 1 TBS of clear varnish.
Shake it!

mixture may depend on the water content of the pva you use but cheap enough to experiment with.

[RandomGlitch]

Hey that's cool. Yeah PVA is good for sealing anything that's a bit porous.  I've done band stickers for guitar cases like that. They don't come off!  Hadn't thought of using varnish in there too.

[sgmezei]

What is PVA?

And artifus, that is great to know about mixing regular white glue. Modpodge is not too expensive in Canada but that would probably be cheaper.

[artifus]

What is PVA?

white glue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_acetate

i really like your birdy box! nice!

[RandomGlitch]

Yes, PVA.  I get it from the hardware/builder's store.  Used for gluing wood, improving the stickability/sealling properties of mortar, sealing over stains prior to painting etc etc.  It's much cheaper than from craft/art shops and you can buy big containers of it too!!

[therecordingart]

I use Modpodge. It is sold at all craft stores and even walmart. It is for decoupage. Works like a charm.

What kind of paper is that?

[sgmezei]

Thanks for the PVA info and the compliments on the birdy box.

@therecordingart, it is actually fabric, not paper.

[therecordingart]

You got the fabric to stick well with Mod Podge? I'm very familiar with it and have some. My wife did tutorial on the poor man's DIY screen printing back in the day and she used mod podge to mask the screens.