Flocking - kicking my butt

[Jantrix]

Okay guys, I've got some of Martha Stewarts flocking powder and I'm trying to flock the carpets on my '49 shoebox. I have tried watered down glue, acrylic paint, enamel paint After I coat with flocking through a stainer I turn it over and knock the excess off and it looks like - you know.

However as I write this I had a thought - should I be letting the glue/paint/whatever dry completely before knocking off the excess?

What am I doing wrong? And please don't tell me to use embossing powder, I know its better, but I'm going to use what I have until it's gone. Thanks in advance.

Edited July 2, 2012 by Jantrix

[fatkidd]

Rob,

I have some of the Martha Stewart flocking and I love it.

What I do is: paint area to be flocked a color close to the flocking, use glue of your choice (I use spray glue ie 3M super 77), strain flocking onto subject, let glue dry (with the spray glue, its relatively quick), dump off excess, repeat process.

I do it twice as it seems to work a little better for me. I have noticed that a single application just doesn't quite do what one would hope.

Hope this helps

[Jantrix]

Ah, so not letting it dry was my issue. Thanks, this helps.

[cobraman]

I do it a little different. While I will sometimes paint a simular color sometimes I don't always. I use the white glue without diluting it and then use a pepper shaker ( larger holes than a salt shaker normally ) to apply the flocking and then I do let it dry before knocking off the excess.

[jamesG]

I like to use thined paint (thined glue would work too) so it will not dry as fast, sift on a thick but even coat of flocking then gently tap it down with my finger to "set" it in let dry good then dump off the left overs. seems to work great for me.

[Jantrix]

Thanks guys. I"m gonna give this another shot.

[Chillyb1]

Rob,

I use spray glue

I think this is the key. Using paint or white glue and the like seem to me to be too labor intensive and time sensitive. Use spray can adhesive and you will get excellent results. Bear in mind that you have to mask off areas you don't want flocked before spraying the adhesive.

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

Search for the flocking tutorial I posted back in 2005-2006. Many have found it helpful. I still use this technique today.