Plaster for Decorations?

[glumpot]

Hello; I'm new to the forum. I signed up to ask for advice with my decorating.

I asked my brother what we should decorate with this year, and he said "vampires!" But I thought, no vampire theme would be complete without a life-size coffin to hide in and scare kids with!

I've built a coffin out of cardboard as a base, but obviously it won't hold up that well by itself (or look very good either). I was going to use paper mâché to strengthen it, however, all of the recipes I could find didn't work very well in large quantities, or were costly. So I bought a 25 lb. bag of DAP plaster of Paris from Home Depot. I am planning on dipping strips of muslin into the plaster and using water to adhere it. It's going to be under an awning, so weather isn't much of a worry. I was wondering, if it would make the coffin too brittle/heavy though? Only the outside will be plastered, the inside will be "upholstered". And, would cotton or muslin work, or is it not porous enough? I'm trying to use what I have on hand now, since I'm at the end of my budget, not to mention running low on time (AND I have a party plan)!

[Andybev01]

Im pretty sure the weight and moisture content of plaster would make the cardboard collapse.

You can buy spray cans of wall texture material.

It looks like plaster but is lightweight and easy to apply since you just spray it on without the need to use any tools.

Once its dry you can paint it with, what else ?, spray paint.

They sell different textures from light to rough.

[Spookymufu]

you could "find" a few pallets, tear them apart and make a wooden coffin out of that, or, if you wanted to get fancy.......

http://hauntershangout.org/send.php?pag ... htm&id=104

[glumpot]

Andybev01, do you know what this stuff is called (a specific brand)? Thanks.

[Andybev01]

you could "find" a few pallets, tear them apart and make a wooden coffin out of that, or, if you wanted to get fancy.......

http://hauntershangout.org/send.php?pag ... htm&id=104

Homex Drywall Patch is the one that dries fast, but there are other brands.

[MattD666]

In my opinion, I wouldn't use cardboard or plaster for a coffin, esp. if you're going to be hiding in it. I would just use wood from Home Depot or Lowe's. Or you could find someone in your area who is selling pallets and use pallet wood. It'll look more authentic and it'll hold. Only use plaster or paper mache for mask making or making bodies or something.