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Building a Diorama from Scratch

Strengthen and Protect the Structure
Because matt board is covered in a paper wrap, it will provide a nice surface for painting and texturing. Likewise, because most painting and surface applications will require wetting the paper coating to some degree, we must insure that our structure will not warp, sag, or lose it’s structural strength over time. This will require two steps to accomplish, and the first is the most crucial!

In essence, we are going to waterproof our structure by soaking both sides and all exposed edges in a 1:1 dilution of water and white glue (photo 1.13).

(photo 1.13) Mix equal parts of water and white glue.

While this may sound absurd at first, realize that once the mixture dries evenly on both sides, the tension caused by the elasticity of the white glue will provide a shield barrier against further moisture, and since both sides have an equal tension, the matt board will remain straight and “warp-free”.

Using a flat edged wide brush, liberally dip the brush into the solution, and apply in a steady even coating to both sides. Don’t forget the interior and exterior edge cuts just exposed as you made the openings for the windows and doors. The object here is not to soak the matt board, but to saturate the paper covering with a complete coating of the solution.

As you brush on the glue, you will see that the paper darkens just a bit as the fluid is absorbed. The texture of the paper should remain flat and smooth. Once both sides are fully sealed, set the board aside for 24 hours for the mixture to cure, allowing the glue agent to set up and seal the paper. A second coat may be applied if desired, again allowing a full 24 hours before moving on to the next step.