Spooky Polyester Resin Ghost prop

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This is a simple way to make a quite spooky looking hanging ghost.  It can be draped over a tree or bush, or even hung in a doorway.  It is back lit with clear Christmas lights, black lights.  We have also used a floodlight pointed up to illuminate one we put on a bush.  The basic construction starts with a positive mold on which your material is draped over the mold and coated with either polyester resin, plaster of paris or even papermache.  The later 2 do not work as well as they are much more fragile and susceptible to moisture.  I recommend going with polyester resin, and this is what will be covered in this instructable.  The photos do not really do these ghosts justice as the lighting was effecting the digital camera.  For some reason in the pictures the ghost faces are not as lit up as in real life.

Disclosure time:  Polyester resin is nasty noxious stuff, it is bad for you and some people are allergic to it, as is the silicone caulking.  Do all stinky steps in a well ventilated place, preferably outside.  Don't be stupid, I am not responsible.

Step 1 Materials

• White sheet, table cloth or suitable piece of white material
• Mannequin head or Smooth plastic mask (life like)
• Polyester resin, plaster or paper mache
• Duct tape and/or clear packing tape
• Corn starch
• Clear Silicone caulking 100% pure (NOT type 2, 3 or paintable)
• Disposable mixing bowl capable of holding 2 liters
• Mixing sticks
• Disposable brushes
• Rubber gloves
• Piece of plywood or board at least 3 inches wider on all sides then your mask
• Optional tripod and matching nut to screw onto the tripod
• Aluminum foil
• Fast setting epoxy glue

Comments

[eNGame]

(removed by author or community request)

[iminthebathroom]

Thanks, gotta do up an instructable for it, I built it for the local museum.

[l8nite]

great effect ! you can do a more temporary and not waterproof type by using clothes starch

[iminthebathroom]

Oh for sure. The first time we did this was with papermache, and it worked quite well. Took a while to dry mind you...

[Nicholin]

Would you be able to back light this with a chemical light (glow stick) placed in the mask cavity? I think the creepy green of the glow stick would be nifty.

[justjimAZ]

Wow! I like that one. A definite do for next season! Thanks!

[iminthebathroom]

yes, super easy. If you all ready have a human like face it greatly simplifies things. Just put some sort of release agent before the resin and your good to go!