Home >> Games & Cards >> Jigsaw Puzzles

How to Make Your Own Puzzle Coating

Jigsaw puzzles are used as wall decorations for children's rooms and in family areas of the home. After a family works together to put the puzzle pieces together, the top of the finished jigsaw puzzle is glued to hold the tiny puzzle parts in place. The puzzle coating is spread onto the puzzle surface in even strokes and allowed to dry overnight. Glued puzzles are mounted onto a piece of heavy cardboard before they are fitted into a frame. Puzzle coatings are craft glues that are made from common kitchen ingredients.

Things You'll Need

Plastic mixing container
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Paper coffee filters
Large rubber band
Large glass jar
Plastic bowl
Soft paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Position a plastic mixing container on the counter. Pour 1 cup of low-fat milk into the plastic container. Spoon 4 tablespoons of white vinegar into the mixing container. Rapidly stir this concoction for at least 120 seconds.
- 2
  Place the mixing container into a location where it will not be disturbed for five minutes while the vinegar separates the milk into two types of liquids.
- 3
  Attach a paper coffee filter loosely to the top of a large jar with a rubber band. Push the coffee filter down into the jar in the middle to form a place to catch the glue materials. Pour the milk and vinegar mixture through the coffee filter to catch the important glue chunks on top of the coffee filter.
- 4
  Remove the coffee filter from the jar carefully so that the glue materials do not spill. Scrape the glue chunks off the coffee filter into a clean plastic bowl. Discard the liquid that is in the straining jar.
- 5
  Spoon 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the plastic bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon of water into the glue mixture and mix until smooth. Pour an additional tablespoon of water into the bowl and mix until smooth for a thinner glue. Add more water if the glue does not look like thin traditional craft glue.
- 6
  Paint a thin layer of the home-made puzzle coating over the top of the jigsaw puzzle with a soft paintbrush. Dry the puzzle coating overnight in a dust-free location. Repeat this step twice. Store the homemade puzzle coating in a sealed container between uses.

Jigsaw Puzzles