The Origami Forum

Hi, I was just wondering, what you can use on a completed model to protect the paper from future damage, and hold the folds and creases. I've searched on the forums and the only thing I found relating to my question was wet folding and methyl cellulose. However, the topics only talk about using it during folds. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to use, not just during folding, but once the model is completely done. Any suggestions is appreciated, thanks.


Edited by Moderator: Please don't use non-standard font-colours for the whole text.

I'm not sure about this (since I have never used MC before), but I heard that you could apply MC after folding, and that works just as well. Don't go by me though.

BTW, please, for the love of Dan, don't write in colour like that!

Here's a number of things that people have tried:
- acrylic spray/acrylic paint
- paper varnish or Modge-podge
- nail polish
- dipping into paraffin wax
- dipping into latex

All of these are waterproof, and add some measure of hardness and stability to the model as well.

Another posibility is encasing it in a block of clear resin.

Hi, sorry for the color text, I won't do that again, I can see using the encase in clear resin for a small model, but for something huge like the ancient dragon.. which is what I am trying to do, I don't think that would work. I will try to find some acrylic or varnish to test it out, I assume those can be purchase in an art supply store? Also.. which would be better, spray or brushing it on?

Lya wrote:Also.. which would be better, spray or brushing it on?

Whatever you're most comfortable with. Spraying is of course faster, but reaching the inner folded layers can be difficult. You'll also need a large, well ventilated space, and even so it can be quite nasty if you're sensitive to aerosols. Brushing is slower, but allows you to reach all parts of the model, and doesn't stink up the place as much.

Both methods will give even, uniform coatings as long as you're careful and patient.

Other than art stores, hardware stores also often carry acrylic sprays and paints.

Hi, I've finally finished completing the model, and I applied acryllic using a brush, I'm very happy with the results.. this is first extreme origami, my 3rd attempt at it, I tried my best, I made it as a b-day present. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. lya

My T-rex got some polyurethane gloss varnish treatment post-assembly with a little paintbrush.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/ ... /trex1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/ ... /trex6.jpg[/img]

isn't polyurethane for wood?

Well, paper is sort of wood, yes?