Well, here we go...100 gallons. Walk me through it?!

[deranged chipmunk]

Looks most excellent Adri!! Some people mix titebond glue with the acrylic paint to waterproof it because the paint is water soluble, but you can just as easily cover the background in krylon fusion clear spray paint, after it is painted. A few decent coats will do the trick.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Strider18]

Wow, I don't think I have seen so many posts on a single thread in as little as 3 days. I read the whole thing and I look forward to putting in my input when I can! Good luck!

[BCollie]

Looks most excellent Adri!! Some people mix titebond glue with the acrylic paint to waterproof it because the paint is water soluble, but you can just as easily cover the background in krylon fusion clear spray paint, after it is painted. A few decent coats will do the trick.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

Thank you!! I think I will do the Krylon Fusion Clear Matte Finish(looked it up and they have it at Walmart) if they carry it at my Walmart. If not, then I will do the Titebond glue. Seems much easier to just use the Krylon. Will I need to spray the back, bottom, and sides of the foam to make that waterproof too, or is the foam already waterproof?

Wow, I don't think I have seen so many posts on a single thread in as little as 3 days. I read the whole thing and I look forward to putting in my input when I can! Good luck!

Hehe, yeah I was just saying to my mom yesterday how we're over 130 posts already!! Insane!! Everyone here is so helpful though, I love it

[BCollie]

Any tips for hiding the cracks between the three foam boards? They're pretty easy to see.

[DigitalPunk]

Background looks great! I am not sure how I would hide the seams in the background. Might be able to get enough paint down in there to hide them some, but in all honesty once it is painted and planted you will be the only one who can se the seams in the background easily. Everyone else will look right past them

If it was my background I would probably be using either the foam coat from hotwire foam factory or unsanded tile grout colored with acrylic paint to do the base coat on the wall and then cover it in Drylock paint with various shades of tinting to it.

Short answer. there isn't really a wrong way to do it as long as you ensure the materials you use are nontoxic.

Paul

[jarteta97]

sticking long fiber sphagnum moss between cracks or over bare spots in paint is a popular method.

[BCollie]

Thank guys I will probably end up going with the nontoxic acrylic paint with Krylon over it just because it's cheap, I can get it locally, and most importantly it is the least intimidating option lol! Everything else sounds so complicated and scary for a first time background painter lol!

Good idea to use the moss. I should have extras.

Any tips on finding non toxic acrylic paint For Walmart to mix up for me? Is there a certain brand that is non toxic?

[BCollie]

Okay. I found non toxic acrylic paint. Got the three panels 90% done...should I use peat moss or sphagnum moss to "decorate" it? Does it go on before or after the final Krylon coat? I assume after. What do I put it on there with...hot glue? I have no idea
Pictures will come tomorrow

[BCollie]

**marks new expenses
EXPENSES as of Oct 5th/6th, 2014
**Non-toxic acrylic paint and paint brushes, $7
**Clear, Matte Finish Krylon Spray Paint, $5
Fiberglass window screen $5
1.5cf river pebbles $15
Three 2x2 foam panels $16
Low Temp Hot glue gun&glue: $8
Quilt Batting: $8
Walmart razor blades for scraping glass clean: $5
Soil mixture(Orchid Bark, Sphagnum Moss, Peat Moss, Charcoal, Fir Bark): $74
Plants: $13
Total spent so far: $156
Remaining: $38

EXPENSES as of Oct 4th, 2014
Fiberglass window screen $5
1.5cf river pebbles $15
Three 2x2 foam panels $16
Low Temp Hot glue gun&glue: $8
Quilt Batting: $8
Walmart razor blades for scraping glass clean: $5
Soil mixture(Orchid Bark, Sphagnum Moss, Peat Moss, Charcoal, Fir Bark): $74
Plants: $13
Total spent so far: $144
Remaining: $50

EXPENSES as of Oct 3rd, 2014:
Starting budget: $167
Walmart razor blades for scraping glass clean: $5
Soil mixture(Orchid Bark, Sphagnum Moss, Peat Moss, Charcoal, Fir Bark): $74
Plants: $13
Total spent so far: $92
Remaining: $75