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I thought Wurth would work with Gorilla Wood Glue – but readers have let me know I was wrong!
Unfortunately, I made a video after my own experiment worked, but it doesn’t work for other people, so I took the video down. I have no idea why it only worked once. Wierd!
If you happen to know of a kind of glue that will work with that brand, so we can use it for paper mache clay, please let us know.
But there is a solution – use my new (and now my favorite) recipe for paper mache clay, that doesn’t use any store-bought glue. That also means you can use any brand of joint compound, including Wurth and DAP. 🙂
thank you so much for your time and inspiration! you always make me happy when you make super cool creatures and you aren’t afraid to try new things! reminds me so much of my grammy and I hope you get lots of time with your grandkids, they are so lucky to have you! 🙂 just want you to know how much I appreciate the time and effort you always put in & you really are making a difference in the world!! Thank you again!!
What a nice comment, Amanda. Thanks! 🙂
I used your recipe with the Wurth joint compound and Gorilla glue, it worked perfectly. Unfortunately I tried using the new recipe and I don’t care for it. It is way to dry and doesn’t stick or spread very well at all. I realize that there will always be a variance from one batch to the other. I wish you hadn’t taken down your video for the Wurth/Gorilla glue mix. I don’t mind paying extra for the materials if they work, my time is more valuable. Any chance I can get the Wurth/Gorilla glue recipe? I didn’t keep a copy of it and would really like to make it again. Thank you for sharing your expertise when it comes to all things paper mache.
Hi Melonee. I took down that video because several people told me it didn’t work for them. But the recipe is just the original recipe, but with the Wurth joint compound and the Gorilla glue in place of the Elmer’s. You can find that recipe here.
Thank you for responding. I just mixed another batch and the Wurth joint compound once again worked perfectly.
I’ve read that Elmers School Glue is the one to use in any crafting project that glue is a part of recipe. The other variations can cause issues. Geez, when I was in school it was plain ‘ole glue on your paper or your hand – which was then consumed. 🙂
I haven’t heard that – but I know that you can’t use Elmer’s with Wurth joint compound. And if the artist is still young enough to eat the art supplies, any form of paper mache clay isn’t a good idea – partly because it isn’t made with food-grade materials, but mostly because very young hands can’t spread the paper mache clay in a thin layer over an armature. It’s not a good craft material for really young kids.
thanks so much. I just went to home depot and was tempted to get spackle because it was cheaper and the people said it was the same but I ended paying more for the joint compound. I hope its worth it!
Can you share a substitution for mineral oil? castor oil? don’t have any on hand..thanks!!
https://www.ultimatepapermache.com/weatherproof-paper-mache-clay
I’m wondering if there is a substitution for mineral oil? Sorry if this is already answered somewhere!
You can use linseed oil, or just leave it out. It won’t make enough difference to notice.
Can you use Wurst with Elmer’s Wood glue?
No, I don’t think so. I also recently got an email from someone who tried it with the Titebond III wood glue – which worked for me, but it didn’t work for her. I have no idea why not… 🙁
Oh no! Well I guess time will tell if my armature ever dries. I finished applying the clay about 4 hrs ago. It seems clumpier than yours but didn’t feel specifically rubbery like when I used Elmers glue all. Is it better to scrape it off the armature? Currently the outside is dry to the touch but still feels wet underneath.
The paper mache clay will always dry first on the outside, and sometimes it will take several days to dry all the way through. It depends on how thickly it was applied. If you were able to apply it, it should be fine once it’s dry.
Hi Jonni, Thanks for the new recipe. I have a question. How would you color this clay before it dries? I want the clay to dry the color want it to be rather than painting it. Is that possible? What coloring would I use?
Thanks, Jay
Hi Jay. When I’ve tried adding acrylic paint to paper mache clay, the color got washed out because the drywall joint compound is opaque white. You might be able to use some pigments intended for cement, but I haven’t tried that.
Thanks for answering. Do you think acrylic ink might work?
I don’t know – I haven’t tried that. If you do an experiment, please let us know how it turns out. 🙂
THANKS for this recipe!