Solving Decoupage Problems

Making Adjustments

Help me please!

I am decoupaging single images onto glass plates using Durwin Rice's recipe of Elmers and wallpaper paste.

After the project dries I have been having a problem with the edges peeling off. I don't even get to the finishing stage.

I have tried using more glue, using less glue, altering the amounts of Elmers and paste and nothing seems to work.

I am extremely frustrated do you have any idea what can be going wrong?

Thank you!

Kelly

Durwin uses PVA glue mixed 50/50 with wallpaper paste for projects where he needs a lot of slip. This is great for curved surface and intricate designs. It allows you to take more time positioning pieces without tearing.

Wallpaper paste isn't as strong as decoupage medium. So if the edges are lifting as a project dries, I would try less wallpaper paste in the mix. However, you say you've already tried that.

Perhaps you're not using enough of the mix. Durwin advises taking a handful - yes, a handful! - and smearing it where you want to place an image. This slows the drying time but gives more opportunities to smooth bubbles and assure the edges are holding.

Another thought - don't use a wet sponge to wipe away excess medium. You might be introducing water at the edges which is diluting the decoupage mix and causing the edges to lift.

For finish coats, I would use pure decoupage medium because it is more durable than the 50/50 mix.

I hope this helps.

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