Make Paper Mache Clay With DAP Joint Compound

After waiting way too long to try this, I finally found an easy way to make Paper Mache Clay with the DAP brand of drywall joint compound. It takes slightly more time, because you need to first make some home-made glue.
I show you how to make the glue in the video, but if you'd prefer a written version, you can find it on this post: www.ultimatepapermache.com/pa...
Rich's original DIY glue video on his Ghoulish Cop channel: • Homemade Glue - ep. 34
The original paper mache clay recipe - just replace the Elmer's glue with the home-made glue, and at the end add as much flour as you need to get the consistency you want: • Paper Mache Clay Recip...
How to use joint compound to make paper mache smooth without sanding: • Make Paper Mache Clay ...
To see how I made that bunny I used to test the new paper mache clay: • Make a Paper Mache Lop...
And to see the patterns for the masks and sculptures behind me in the video, click here: www.ultimatepapermache.com/pa...
Time Stamps:
0:00 Why we need a DIY glue recipe to use DAP joint compound to make paper mache clay
00:56 Where the "new" DIY glue recipe came from (thanks to Rich, the Ghoulish Cop)
2:45 Making the liquid starch
7:01 Using the DIY glue to make paper mache clay
9:05 Testing the paper mache clay with the DIY glue
11:41 Results of the test
14:11 Conclusion

[@trashout]

Hi Jonni, we have the DAP brand of joint compound in abundance here in Trinidad & TOBAGO and the even better news is that we have a glue called Poly 7 Cement Binder that works perfectly with the DAP joint compound. It is locally manufactured here in Trinidad & Tobago. The name of the company is Caribbean Petrochemical Manufacturing Ltd.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That is interesting! I don't know if we have anything called 'cement binder' here, but I'll try to look it up. Thanks!

[@therugglet]

Thank you for this update, DAP really has taken over the joint compound world.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

You're welcome! 😊

[@TheSpaklingDiamond]

Hello!! I’m a puppetry student and I used this version of the paper mache recipe today on the head of my hand-puppet : ) it worked great!!! I just wanted to say thank you for your channel and videos! ❤

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That sounds great! We'd love to see your puppets. If you'd like to share some photos, you can do that on my website here: www.ultimatepapermache.com/daily-sculptors-group-page

[@brandtedwards7735]

Home Depot sells “USG all purpose joint compound” that works well with the Elmers glue.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Yes - that's a great brand.

[@monazaki2910]

How much I love you, madam You are a wonderful, a creative and a humble person .....I love your calmness and adore your works, which seem real. I lost your channel before, but I finally found you I learned a lot from you I wish you a long life so that we can enjoy your creative work

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment. 😀

[@monstermorguetutorials3139]

Thanks so much. We love you here in Puerto Rico. Blessings and hugs🙏

[@AllieInWonderland]

Thank you for this video! Also I love how the Bunny turned out at the end, so cute! ❤

[@qrissy3742]

Wonderful! Thank you, Jonni and Rich!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@carerschoice]

Totally new to clay modelling 🙏🙏🙏 love your tutorials from 🇬🇧 uk xx

[@mysteriousghoul5918]

Thank you so much for this. Everyone in my household is grateful for all the tutorials you put out. More blessings to you, madame ❤

[@margaritagerman]

You are a treasure! All I have around my area is the DAP. I am in the beginning stages of planning out decorations for VBS for this summer. (Yes, I know I am behind already.) I have made many, many, many creations using the water and flour paper mache I learned in grades hool art class. I was looking forward to using more grown up, durable materials this year. So .. Thank you

[@AllieInWonderland]

If you don’t mind me asking what is your VBS theme?

[@Yellowlabratory]

You’re smart, I enjoy your videos so much

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I'm not sure "smart" is a good word for this one, since I should have tried this 10 years ago. "Slow" might be a better word. But I appreciate the comment. 😊

[@asielmundo]

This is very useful. Thank you

[@Yellowlabratory]

Thanks for posting!

[@matthewpeinado2047]

Keep up the good work!

[@Yellowlabratory]

Look how clean your stove is 😍

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Not for long! 😊

[@shelleynobleart]

Brilliant!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

😊

[@vickigower8125]

the Lowe's Home Improvement Store shows that they carry the ProForm brand and numerous other brands of drywall compound if you have one near you. They also will ship orders. I only just discovered your channel today, but I'm enjoying watching what you do. You are so gifted :)

[@micahthomas9521]

Oh thank you so much!

[@selfshotproductions]

Thank you for sharing your experiment! We do some paper mache with mardi gras float sculptures, but for the fine-tuning bits (that need sanding to smoothness) we actually would use spackle! It's easy to sand and re-apply, but it does need to be sealed afterwards with layers of primer.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Do you have any problems with it cracking if you apply it too thickly? Or do you use it as a skim coat to make things smooth?

[@timeenuf4200]

YOU? LAZY? I wish I got 10% of stuff done compared to your activity level. Great video. Thank you.

[@MichelleLevasseur]

I admit to being puzzled by the addition of sugar. I've racked me brains and I can't think of a single purpose for it other than to reaaallly make the bugs happy to eat the glue lol! Thanks for sharing this alternative glue Jonni!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I wondered that myself, so I just did a fast Google search. I found an article with 5 "glue" recipes (two of them were for paper mache paste) and the author said that "Starch and sugar are two forms of carbohydrates that become sticky when heated ." The sugar in her glue was corn starch, but maybe the same thing applies to table sugar. I know that sugar that's been heated on the stove to make candy can burn really bad, partly because it sticks to you and you can't get it off very fast. But I don't think it's sticky after it cools off, so I'm still not sure what the sugar's for ... 😊Here's the article: www.thoughtco.com/homemade-glue-recipes-607826

[@MichelleLevasseur]

@@UltimatePaperMache Yes, the corn starch would make sense. I'll read the article - thanks!

[@user-pw6gw6le2g]

Sugar water was used in olden days to stiffen doilies by my grandmother.

[@gardenalways]

I've used joint compound for sculpting on gourds and I always sanded it with a damp sponge. That was just straight joint compound though without the addition of the homemade glue.

[@raquels7148]

I used the old recipe with Dap and always wondered why it was lumped 😂. I made it work bc id sand it. Thank you for the update.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

You are so welcome! I wish DAP wasn't the easiest joint compound to find, because the original recipe is a lot easier than making our own glue - but this does work, and I actually like the consistency of it. It's fun to work with.

[@raquels7148]

@@UltimatePaperMache Agreed, I noticed that this version isn't as strong as the original recipe. Granted it's a thin layer because I'm using it to make the grass on a giant floating island. I'll post pictures on the blog soon. I used the original recipe, lumps and all, to make an octopus. The lumps played in my favor, but it fell on the floor from a height of 5 feet and suffered no damage during the project.

[@Sungaze-px3rb]

Corn Starch, and Potato, along with cassien from milk were the plastics of the 19th Century. So you are adding basically plant pva to the structure. Hemps and Flax and Straw also contain good natural plastics.

[@Yellowlabratory]

Hi Sweet Jonni!

[@MonkeyMcVader]

Aside from the issues with DAP, Im a bit clumsy when stiring (you should see the kitchen after I bake) I came across a product this weekend that made me think of your beautiful creations, and the possible loss of "normal" joint compound. USG Sheetrock makes a product called "Easy Sand" it's a lightweight drywall joint compuund in powdered format that you can purchase at the big box hardware stores. It also comes in various working times as low as 5 min and 90 (at my Local Lowes). I think it may come in other formats as well. an 18lb bag is advertised to cover 340 ft^2 (About the same as a 5gal bucket of the premixxed stuff at 1/2 the cost, and 1/3 the weight)

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That's a great idea. I will try some as soon as the roads clear up and I can get to town. Thanks! 😊

[@ChristineARose]

Recently, I was watching a Mixed Media artist on YT. As I was watching, I'm on the edge of my seat wondering just HOW she got DAP drywall compound to work with glue. Well, upon sleuthing around the interscreens and looking at SDS sheets on products I discovered some stuff. 1) Slime/Rubbery stuff is made with a Polymer (glue) and some sort of activator (gelling agent), like borax or some sort of liquid starch. 2) DAP ready to use Drywall JC contains Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate in the formula (a Modified Starch-dun dun dunnnnnn) Since there are only 3 ingredients in DAP JC ready to use, well, I will take Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate as the Villain in this issue. Now, the Artist was using DAP DryDex Lightweight JC for her art. It does not gel glue, because it has no gelling agent in it's formula, according to the SDS sheet. I tried looking up Wurth brand, and their site was a butt about such data, so that tells me plenty about them lol. I have yet to try the DAP DryDex, as I will be going to Walmart tomorrow, and get some there. Home Depot carries it for more money than Walmart. Don't get confused with DAP DryDex Spackling. The tubs look the same, except for Joint Compound or Spackling on the label. *Also, it's pink when wet, white when dry. Not sure just how pink it would be mixed with everything else in the recipe. Guess I'll find out after tomorrow lol.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That is interesting news! I hope you'll let us know how your experiments turn out. And do you happen to know the name of that Mixed Media artist? I'd like to see her videos. 😊

[@ChristineARose]

@@UltimatePaperMache Sandra Duran Wilson :)

[@wuMcK]

if i can't find it (non-dap) at Lowe's I just order from Amazon... I want to support non-dap brands! But i still want to make my own glue so i hope this works with non-dap brands! Thanks for the recipe (i love making as much from scratch as possible)

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I tried it last week with the Wurth brand, which is now available at most Walmarts. It worked really well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIHHh3yAidWmhpY

[@TakaiDesu]

When you poured the sugar something in my brain told me “hmm Yummy, I wanna eat this!” Hahaha

[@sandyb4693]

Hi, I've been watching your channel for quite a while now, but have never actually tried the paper mache clay.... yet. I have dabbled a bit with cold porcelain though and know that it shrinks when dry. I looked on your site (I'm probably looking in the wrong spot 😆) and couldn't find anything stating if your paper mache clay recipe shrinks when it drys. I'm assuming it does but I was wondering by how much. I also love that this recipe doesn't use glue. Thanks for sharing all your experiments and your fantastic art skill. They are truly inspiring!

[@jessicadanielson4543]

We have the proform one at Lowes near me,, maybe you can order it online from them?or ask the store to order it for you?,,if you're not feeling inclined to make glue again,,and I don't think that you're lazy, just choosey of where you want to expend effort 😁and that bunny is even more cute now🥰

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I'll check for ProForm next time I can get to town. I don't drive in the winter - I'm too old to learn how to drive on ice - so I'm stuck with our local store until spring. I know you can get some brands of joint compound on amazon.com - but they add the shipping cost to the price, so it's really expensive.

[@jessicadanielson4543]

@@UltimatePaperMache I'm 39 and I hate winter driving,i have a " nope list" of winter places lol 😂 .. yeah I think it was like $13/$14 for the big thing of it,had to do some household repairs so I noticed, i hope you find it when you get the chance 🙂 I believe in you!

[@joanbennettnyc]

Is this new version appetizing to rodents or bugs? I used a similar formula once (with something different than the joint compound) and it was chewed to bits in a week. Thank you.

[@erink476]

is the way the paste looks after cooking making anyone else hungry?

[@maryannawilson7702]

There was a shortage of vinegar because the people that were canning that's what you use to pickle things with well one of the ingredients there's others

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That explains it! 😊

[@carrieeloff2220]

Luck!! I just got my supplies today!!

[@LynxGenisys]

I was wondering if it was perhaps just tge "Dust-free" versions of drywall cement that balls up, as its designed to ball up during sanding to prevent fine dust.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

No, I think that some brands contain boron, and when Borax is mixed with PVA glue it makes Flubber. It's the combination of the DAP and Wurth joint compound and the glue that causes the rubbery balls.

[@griffonlady]

Is it possible to substitute some sort of herbal oil (thyme, rosemarry, etc...) for minneral oil? I've had a few sculptures eaten by mice, and i'm trying to figure out a way to make this recipe less tasty. Or maybe finely ground herbs mixed into the flour?

[@karenurrutia231]

Curious as to why add sugar?

[@julialarsen9637]

Do you know if I’d be able to use tapioca starch instead of cornstarch? 💗 I 💗 your videos btw☺️

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I have no idea. You'd need to experiment with it.

[@mariaalvarez9409]

Hello! I found the ProForm All Purpose Joint Compound but its powder. Would it still work?

[@Ang-dj6fe]

Is there anything that you could add to the Dapp to make a consistency of clay that you can use a cookie cutter to cut shapes. Not leaving the mixture in the cutter but actually cut and pull out of the clay? I wasn't sure if flour or plaster would work.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I've never done anything like that. The air dry clay recipe might work, but I haven't tried it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4DMoKl9g5KsfqM

[@raymondloomer5405]

Likely good old fashioned poster paste would work well. Easier to make.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Possibly. Have you tried it yet?

[@raymondloomer5405]

Not yet but soon. I might add a little Borax just to bug proof it.@@UltimatePaperMache

[@AWanderingEye]

Hi Jonni, Do you worry at all about insects liking this product since the glue includes sugar? That was my only concern when you were making the glue up. Thanks for your diligence!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I'm lucky that we don't have the kind of insects here that like to eat paper mache. I don't know why not, but I really haven't had any problems with the bugs - but I know there are areas where that could be a concern.

[@Yellowlabratory]

😀😀😀😀

[@PumpkinPails]

I followed another KZbinrs recipe before I discovered your channel and used the DAP compound. 😭I made the clay about three days ago and don't see or feel any rubber balls in it. But, I haven't made anything with it, yet. Do they form as it dries? I'm waiting on some materials to arrive before I get started. Oh, well. I'll just use up this batch and hope for the best! I'm just making pumpkins, so a little texture shouldn't hurt anything. 😁

[@UltimatePaperMache]

If the other KZbinr's recipe doesn't use Elmer's glue, that might be why it worked. Some buckets of DAP work better than others, but it's just hit and miss. And the rubberyness happens just as soon as the glue and joint compound are mixed - it stiffens up, instead of staying spreadable.

[@PumpkinPails]

@@UltimatePaperMache Oh, got it!! I think I got lucky, I used the Elmer's school glue in my mix because they were out of the All Glue. I got around to using my clay tonight and it's working well.

[@JanineMKartist]

could you use wallpaper paste? can you test that out in a video to compare?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I don't know if wallpaper paste would work or not, and my budget is limited so I can't order any to play with right now. If you try it, please let us know if it works.

[@tinaknutsen]

Janine; Wallpaper paste is a glue like mod podge …I have used those interchangeabley…same ratio as whatever glue you decided.

[@karenurrutia231]

I too am lazy and do t want to mix my own glue. Can you remind me why in the past you said not to use Dap? I remember, if I am not mistaken, there was an ingredient in Dap that you said would cause problems with papermacheing so I too would buy the Proform at Walmart.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

The DAP joint compound and PVA (Elmer's) glue turn into a rubbery mess. Unfortunately, the Proform brand is no longer available at most Walmarts, but any other brand, except DAP, will work. I only recommended the Proform because it was cheap, not because it was the only one that works. :)

[@karenurrutia231]

Thanks!

[@alanm3438]

I was not sure if this was a cooking video or what??? I think you are part scientist as well as a engineer. I am sure that you will get some good feed back. Have you ever talked to the people at DAPT???? As always you are a great teacher and you do a great job on the video. Oh yes, the bunny looks nice too. Thanks for the video.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I haven't talked to anyone at DAP, but I'm pretty sure the ingredient in their joint compound that causes the rubbery problem is just boron. It's a good thing to put in joint compound - I'm not sure why they don't all do it. You can find YT videos showing how to make Flubber with Borax and glue. I guess kids have fun with it, but it doesn't make good paper mache clay. 😊

[@user-pw6gw6le2g]

Do we need a pinch of salt or does vinegar keep it from mold?

[@user-pw6gw6le2g]

How much oil ?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

@@user-pw6gw6le2g If you want to use oil you can add a tablespoon. You don't need to add any if you don't want to.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

The best way to keep any form of paper mache from growing mold is to use thin layers, let them dry all the way through before painting, and then sealing the sculpture so it can't absorb moisture from the air. So get it dry as fast as possible, and then keep it dry. Mold can't grow without water.

[@karenurrutia231]

Do you have a video on how to repair hairline cracks that develope 2 years after making paper-mache item?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

No, I don't. Is made with paper strips and paste? You can put another strip over the crack, if that's the case, but matching the paint colors will be challenging.

[@karenurrutia231]

@@UltimatePaperMache yeah I know I will have to be careful with the color since colors fade throughout time. Thanks for the tips!

[@user-pw6gw6le2g]

How much oil?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

About a tablespoon. Or just leave it out.

[@thegoblintrader]

What is the purpose of the sugar? I am afraid it will attract bugs and animals.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I don't actually know, because this wasn't originally my recipe. You could experiment with it and leave the sugar out, just to see if it works.

[@thegoblintrader]

@@UltimatePaperMache Thank you for the reply..I may try it.. If I do I will let you know.

[@officiallymrp]

I know its interesting to experiment other things, but with so much fuss I'd simply mix flour and water if I had to. I remember once trying making glue out of sugar and the whole thing fermented and the bottle just exploded during the night, seriously, there was sugar lava all over the place, ah ah ah!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

You really know how to have fun! 😊

[@officiallymrp]

@@UltimatePaperMache LOL !

[@Koo_katboots]

Qhat is DAP

[@UltimatePaperMache]

It's a brand name for a company that sells drywall joint compound in the US.

[@Koo_katboots]

@@UltimatePaperMache thn'.

[@JanineMKartist]

mice love paper mache with flour based glue. That's my only concern.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That's true - but there's flour in the paper mache clay recipe, too. You might want to try the new paper cement clay, instead - there's no flour in that one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnvdm3yQi9GGmpo

[@officiallymrp]

and mold! Yum yum ;)

[@JanineMKartist]

@@UltimatePaperMache my hope is doing top layers od das or apoxie clay would protect it. Yes i forgot the other clay does too.

[@Yellowlabratory]

I had to pack up all my art stuff so I have zero projects going, to my dismay

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That's not good - I hope you get to unpack them soon. Or grab some paper and do some sketches or something. We have to make stuff!

[@lindapriorirish8]

I have lost a huge amount of interest ... with the dap compound...

[@jamesmceraghan9165]

ÇHECK OUT STILT BEAST ENJOY

[@UltimatePaperMache]

👍