I'm looking at buying some plastidip to coat some shadow puppet rods, but wanted to know what other builders have used before buying (it's quite expensive here!). Do people use the spray on kind, or the brush on? I've found the Aussie distributor on ebay:

http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZplastidip

So if you can let me know what ones are similar/same to what you've used, it would help me a lot in buying the right thing.

Thanks!

Yes the performix plasti-dip is very reliable. I reccommend getting either the large can (the small one is too small really to dip many things in to) or of course the spray. Both need a good few coats to be sturdy.

Cheers,
Dan

It depends on how long your stick is to dip in.  I have not heard of any one painting the stuff on you usually dip stuff into it or spray it on (if you choose to use the spray can).  Painting it on would result (I believe) in failed and disappointing/frustrating results and you would be going through many paint brushes, (unless you were going for a certain artistic look).

I hope this helps......

Daryl H

Well, the rods wouldn't be more than 30 centimetres long... probably no less than 5 or 10 centimetres. I was initially thinking of dipping them, but once I started reading a bit more about the product, spraying sounds better.

Yes the spraying you can do longer sticks if you need to down the line as well as any other odd shape.  I also find it hard to keep the regular dip in stuff from drying out when I use it.  So it can become a large waist of money if you don't use it all the time and it dries out.  The spray can won't see that as a problem.

Daryl H

Great- thanks everyone! I might buy a spray can and see how it goes.

An update on the Plastidip:

I bought the spray can, but I'm absolutely terrible at it. I'm sure it's going to come out all wrong. (Oh, I can spray a straight line alright, but because I'm trying not to get the rod stuck to anything, I've had to rest it on the top of some paper cups. I'm sure by coating one side of the rod at a time it will come out funny)

Anyway, that's not why I'm posting - the smell of the Plastidip is very strong, and though I've got doors and windows open, I'm concerned that it is too strong. Since I share the house, I have to do this at night, when everyone is in bed; I'm also concerned about the pets, who might not appreciate the strong smell. Given that on the can they also warn you about various health issues, I'm wondering if there is a less toxic/smelly alternative to coating rods...?

Maybe go outside and use it.  I do it on nice days and have great success.

Try hanging the sticks up with string in the air and walk around the stick as you spray (make the stick a little longer than you need to attach the stick).  Try to use it like a spray can with paint,  I think you need to give it a few more tries before you give up.  I don't think you will find a better quality product to do this with.  You could use either Hockey Tape or electrical tape to wrap the sticks however these don't last as long with out starting to wear out.

Daryl H

Will your dowel rod or stick fit into a old drill? If so put in in and by turning it own you will distribute the plasti- dip evenly. Start right above where the stick is attached to the drill and spray to the end. I would do this in a well ventelated area or outside.
This is just a suggestion. are you coating the whole rod or just making handles?

Billy D.

Coating the whole rod. My main reason is that the end of the rod is coathanger, and quite rough edged (I've filed it so it's not pointy, but the rods will be sold and I want to avoid people hurting themselves), the other end is glued into a piece of dowel. I just thought it would be easier to coat the whole thing instead of worrying about how to do half and half.

The dowel should fit into a drill - I can't believe it didn't occur to me to do that. I had watched a while ago the video on making puppet eyes, and they do a similar thing to coat it in paint!

Nice day? Obviously never been in Melbourne during winter 
It's cold, wet and windy!

I don't want to give up, I know I can do a better job than on my first go (if that were true, I wouldn't still be making puppets). I'm mainly concerned about the smell. I guess my house just doesn't get a good air flow.

For the time being, maybe I'll rethink coating the rods for now, and wait until I can get some nice weather to try again.