Monster Mud

[trishaanne]

Hey all. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this...please forgive me if I am wrong. I need some help with a project and I know that someone among you will have an answer. I am going to try monster mud very soon and I was just wondering if I could use JUST the joint compound and then paint it with the latex paint or does it have to be mixed together. What's the difference in the way it will work? I don't have anothing to really mix it with and I know to stir it by hand will take forever! Any opinions or answers will be MOST appreciated. Thanks.

[Zombie-F]

I tried this last year when I was coating my (failed attempt) at an obelisk. What will happen this way, is when ever it rains outside -- even if the prop is under cover -- the joint compound will absorb moisture and can crack and bubble the paint. It makes a big mess, trust me.

And this belongs more in the Props and Propbuilding forum as the How-To Links forum is strictly for posting your own how-tos or links to other's how-tos.

[trishaanne]

Thanks Zombie. Sorry I posted this in the wrong spot. Another question, if you don't mind...will it crack even with a few coats of polyurethane on it? Sorry, but I've never tried this before and it's alot of work for it to turn out wrong.

[BuriedAlive]

When you mix, the paint and joint compound molecules bond, forming a new material. Once it cures, these molecules are locked together permantly.
If you don't mix, the joint compound cures and when paint is applied, the paint has nothing to bond with. This causes weaker adhesion.
Regarding Polyurethane, if you apply it to latex paint, it might cause the paint to fail over time. There's different Poly's out there, some safer for latex paint than others.

[trishaanne]

Thanks for the advice and help. It looks like I'll be out there next weekend trying to stir this stuff. I wonder if I can find some neighborhood kids bored enough to have them stir this for me! :p

[GreenCapt]

Thanks for the advice and help. It looks like I'll be out there next weekend trying to stir this stuff. I wonder if I can find some neighborhood kids bored enough to have them stir this for me! :p

Just tell them its 'magical wishing mud' and if they stir it well enough it can make wishes come true.

When they're done stirring tell them- 'See.. *my* wish came true! Its now all mixed up!' ;)

[Vlad]

Try starting with an empty five gallon pail, empty the paint in first, and gradually add in the joint compound. It should be much easier than the other way round.

[GraveStalker]

A mixing attachment is available for drills found in the tool and/or paint department of home improvement stores. Either way, you should start with much less than a five gallon+ mixture, because it's much easier to work with and a single prop will require a gallon or two at most. Be sure to soak the material, wipe excess, apply and let dry completely (may take several days) before coating. For outdoor use: I have brushed on poly then painted with spray paint to eliminate glossy poly finish. My MM outdoor props have survived many wet and windy fall seasons in New England. Best of luck on your project!

[trishaanne]

Thanks for all the advice. Vlad, your reply disappointed me....I was expecting something SOOOOO much more sarcastic :D I was hoping to try this project next weekend but now all my plans have changed....AGAIN and I have to totally reorganize my house because a friend that is having some serious problems is moving in with us. Hmmmmmm, wondering if I can monster mud her soon to be ex....it will save me building the frame and would look so realistic! OK, OK.....not really;) I'm sure I'll be asking tons more questions so please bear with me as I try this for the first time.

[Sickie Ickie]

Okay, the only monster mud pieces I've seen usually involve a robe for some type of figure.

Now, I like to think outside the box quite a bit, but I need to know...is what people appreciate most about monster mud center around seeing folds in clothes?

I did see the mm well and serpent entrance, but smooth mm may not hold the same fascination as wrinkles? Yes??? No???

Anybody have thoughts on this?

[BobC]

All the MM props I have made I have added wrinkles to the clothing. I think it adds a "Realistic" look to MM characters. I have never used it on Tomb stones etc but alot of people say it adds good detail. Overall I think MM characters need wrinkles look down at your shirt right now sitting at your computer its natural looking to have wrinkles noones clothes are ever straight just my 2 cents. Later all :jol: [/COLOR]

[Sickie Ickie]

Thanks, Bob. :-)

Is mm really used much beyond clothes?

[Frighteners Entertainment]

It can be used for anything you want to stiffen up.
Say, you want to do cave walls.
As far material used, what ever you get a great price on.
Like burlap.

I prefer using poly resin insted of MM. No need to seal it to be used outdoors.

[Sickie Ickie]

Thanks. Just trying to get a handle on what people believe mm should be for the next competition.

[Hellrazor]

It can be used for anything you want to stiffen up.


Oh really Frighteners, I think there are other things to use for "anything" lol

[Frighteners Entertainment]

Silly me, what was i thinkin'? lol

[ScareFX]

Sickie Ickie - As Jeff said monster mud can be used for a lot of things. I ran across these build pics from a haunt done by Wes Wilson a few years ago. He did trees, a skull entrance, a cave, a cocoon victim, and cemetery mounds all with monster mud.

http://www.weswilson.com/newpics9/building4.html

[TearyThunder]

FE, Where are you getting the polyresin at. I can't find it anywhere.

[Sickie Ickie]

Thanks scareFX. :-)

[BobC]

MM does not Just apply to Burlap it will work with almost any material. even regular clothes. I have seen people dress a prop in clothes and MM just the outside of the prop and it worked pretty good. For weather just make sure you use a water based sealer. Later All. :jol:

[krough]

I did 1 monster mud prop last year just to see if I liked it.
http://grimvisions.com/images/mm/mmshirt.jpg
All in all I think it turned out OK. Its just a dressshirt dipped in and then applied to the body.
It was a last minute thing, so I didnt paint it like I wanted to.

[Merlin (The Quiet One)]

I did a couple of monster mud projects last year using old tablecloths. Here is a pic of the big guy http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/MLogsdon/Halloween%202005/Reaper.jpg

[Sickie Ickie]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the tips and ideas. I've never used mm before, like I've never carved a tombstone before, but I like learning new things and this gives me motivation. :-)

[Zombie-F]

Looks cool Merlin.

[trishaanne]

Merlin, that looks great! If I may ask, how did you do the head? Is it a styrofoam head and mask?

[Merlin (The Quiet One)]

Yep. Styrofoam head and yard sale mask. Ping pong ball eyes glued in place with blood hot glue stix.

[BobC]

Merlin That looks great I built one just like yours only mine is holding a PVC candle. Mine is a copy of Terror Syndicates "watcher" Prop. I used cut up bulap in different sizes. Another Tip for you Sickie since Im talking about Burlap dont use the craft store stuff its to high of a grade for monster mud you need to get old bulap sacks or Burlap on rolls from Lowes or Home Depot. Sickie if you need anymore information on MM ask away I use the stuff alot. Later all :jol:

[Sickie Ickie]

Thanks for the tips, Bob! As I build I constantly have to figure out how to "compact" my props for storing. I have a minimum amount of space available to me. For instance, the gravestone I made so I can velcro the wings and undo them to store. MM will be moreof a challenge. I hear that MM can weigh a lot!

[SpectreTTM]

Has anyone added anything to Monster Mud to get a texture?

I was wondering if I could add sand to MM to get a sandy/ Sandstone finish?

Any thoughts?

[Beepem]

sandstone finish you say?

get a tan colored Fleck Stone spray paint. I used a gray one on foam and it didnt eat it. I think its safe on just about anything.

its a spray paint, can be found at walmart. LOOKS SO AWESOME

[Lilly]

I have never used it but paln on it in the future. i am sure you can add sand to it .. if not you will prob paint it anyways and you can add sand to reg paint ive done that already for some tombstones ive made. 10 yrs old now and paint/sand finish still on it .

[otherworldly]

Sure you can stick stuff into it, like pressing chocolate shavings onto the side of a cake! A thicker mix; more drywall compound/less latex paint also creates a bit of texture. Like adobe.

[drbrandon73]

You can buy texture additives of various grits in the paint section at home depot.

[SpectreTTM]

Has anyone ever used Lightweight Joint Compound for Monster Mud?

What is the difference between this and regular Joint compound?

[Zombie-F]

I can tell you from other experiences that this is not the stuff you're looking for. The lightweight compound has a light and fluffy composure to it, and is meant for small surface patching and nothing more.

[madmax]

If you want to make a MM prop that isn't heavy...just use latex paint. The paint will stiffen up the cloth and hold it's shape just as well as MM. The only difference is it wont be as hard of a finish or heavy as the MM prop. Both of these were made weeks ago and left outside since they were finished. The only thing they have on them is latex semi gloss paint (used as the mud) and a some different colors of flat spray paint. I know we had at least 3 storms with heavy rain and a couple days were it rained lightly all day. They look the same today as they did when I finished them

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/wkuyoungguns/twin%20mm%20props/after2inchesofrain004.jpg

[DeadSpider]

hey those are nice!
I like the idea of a lighter weight prop with the MM look.

[nicole]

What is the best stuff to use for monster mud? Any help would be great. thanks

[nicole]

how do you apply the paint on? Do you get the gallon size or spray on kind? Is a brush easier or just paw it on with your hands? Thanks

[ScareFX]

Here's the best source for MM info. :)
http://www.terrorsyndicate.com/tsp_mm.html

[madmax]

I used my paint sprayer but I've did them by hand before. If you do it by hand....it's just like washing a shirt out on your hands. Pour your paint in something like a plastic tub. Then soak your cloth in the paint (working it with your hands) then wring it out. I used semi gloss latex paint...then I did the finish paint job with wal mart spray paint.

[DeadSpider]

sounds fun. haha going to be head to all eight feeties covered in paint by the time I am done.

[nicole]

thanks for the info

[Fright Yard]

I posted some pics of some MM props Im working on in my sig.