John61CT wrote:Thanks,
What if that brown bagging were the outermost skinning, then what would people suggest?
As in outside the trailer? Then you would want to use a thinned down marine grade epoxy or CPES. Then you would need to use spar varnish over the top of that to prevent UV from breaking down the epoxy.
I had a friend that decoupaged his plywood canoe to give it a bark like look. He used CPES and torn paper bags. looked cool and yes it did hold up to being in the water.
One thing you would not want to do is crumple the paper. I am wishing I hadn't on this as I do have a couple tiny air pockets that I will need to prick and inject some of the polycrylic into. Crumpling the paper after torn gives the real leathery look. When I did our laundry counter I didn't crumple paper and didn't have the air pocket issue I had here.
So here are the steps that I used
1. Tear up your paper. Large and small pieces no real rhyme or reason. (if using paper bags if there is any writing or logos etc., it will transfer through and be visible even if laid that side down). If you want a really rugged look crumple the paper.
For this project I used brown craft paper. It is not as thick as paper bag stock. I just happened to have it so that's what I used. You really can use any paper you have. I plan on doing the wall behind also. For that I will be using the color comics from the Sunday paper.
2. If using polycrylic (I highly recommend for interior use) brush on a liberal coat about a 2'x2' area no bigger. lay down a piece of paper coat with poly, repeat. Over lap pieces slightly. Always make sure that you brush poly on the substrate prior to laying down a piece of paper. Work from one side to the other try to brush out and away from the area already covered. Force out as many air pockets as you can as you go. Some will lay down as the poly dries.
3. That's pretty much it. If you want you can add another coat of poly. You want to do this prior to the first completely curing. This really isn't required as the poly that was already applied to glue everything down will be sufficient.