Australia's Science Forum

Our students have made cells models using play doh.
They are 2-D, constructed on cardboard.

Is there anyway that I can stop the play doh from drying out, as it causes colour fading and cracking.
Last year I tried spraying them with fine mist water (only lasts until the water evapourates).
brushing with glycerine , and oil (not really effective, still only lasted a day or so)
Spraying with hairspray- not sure why I thought of that, but didnt help at all.
Covering with cling wrap only slows the drying /fading process for a few dasy, and doesnt look the best either

The playdoh itself is made with flour, cream of tartar, salt, vegetable oil and food colouring

I have tried googling, but they suggest to rinse the playdoh with water, remix and remodel. Not appropriate for models on cardboard that took a whole week for the studetns to make

Anyone help please?

I really have no idea, but with other things we do here I paint with a couple of coats of PVA glue (really big bugs ). It dries clear and hard.

Hope it helps, let us know how you go.

What about a varnish? You can buy varnish stuff in a spray can and just spray it on. I've no idea whether there would be a chemical reaction!

Kathryn

Try using Aquadhere mixed with some water. It will probably need 2 coats.

Alice

I imagine the playdough would dry out through the cardboard too. So paint the back of the board with the glue mixture as well.

hello
Art fixative spray...or hair spray....your are department will have it for pastel or charcoal drawings....or take the afternoon off to go trial it at your hairdressers
A

Google bread dough ornaments. I used to make them for Christmas decorations and with primary classes for craftwork to sell at fetes. That recipe has a very high salt content, but you bake & paint it, then laquer it with varnish and it lasts for years.
You could try varnishing these ones, and it it doesn't work because of the oil content, maybe switch to the saltier recipe next year.

Best wishes, and let us know how it all works out, please.

Instead of playdoh have you thought of using some stuff called Fimo when finished I think you bake it