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Yes, we can make paper mache with Gorilla Wood glue and Worth brand drywall joint compound. π
DAP and Worth are the two brands that absolutely will not work with Elmer’s Glue-All, but they’re also the most easily obtained drywall joint compound brands, because you can get them in any Walmart store here in the United States.
I’ve already tested the DAP joint compound for paper mache clay here, and today I made a batch of the paper mache clay with the Wurth brand. And frankly, I’m really liking it.
I think the Worst brand is now my favorite joint compound for paper mache clay – but you can’t use it with Elmer’s Glue-All.
The recipe for Paper Mache Clay with Wurth Joint Compound:
- 1 1/4 cup of damp toilet paper
- 1 cup of premixed Wurth* (or DAP) drywall joint compound
- 3/4 cup of Gorilla Wood Glue
- 1/4 to 3/8 cup of white flour
- 2 tablespoons mineral oil (baby oil) or boiled linseed oil
*Note – the Gorilla Wood Glue has only been tested with the Wurth and Dap brands. For all other brands, I recommend Elmer’s Glue-All – but you can do your own test, like I did at the beginning of the video, with a small dab of your joint compound and your glue. If they mix up smoothly, with no thickening, rubberiness, or even tiny lumps, the combination should work.
After mixing your paper mache clay, put it in an air-tight container.
If you have any questions at all about paper mache clay, whether it’s using this brand of joint compound or any other brand, please put them in the comments down below. π
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. π
THANKS for this recipe!