How to Make Putty

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Putty is soft, squishy, and versatile, and no matter what you need it for, it’s easy to make your own. If you’re looking for a fun science project, try making silly putty out of Borax and glue. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to fill holes, you can make the putty that’s used for spackling by mixing basecoat plaster with a little water. And all you need are a glue stick and a plastic lid if you’re looking for the type of putty used to hold posters on the wall, which is often called sticky tack . Pick a project and try it out today!

Ingredients

Silly Putty

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml; 4 fl oz) non-washable school glue
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml; 4 fl oz) room temperature water
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml; 2 fl oz) hot water
  • 2-4 drops food coloring (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp (4 g; 0.14 oz) Borax

Putty for Spackling

  • 1/4 cup (50 g; 1.8 oz) basecoat plaster
  • 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) water

Craft Putty

  • Glue stick
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Silly Putty

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  1. Silly putty is stretchy, bouncy, and fun, and it’s super easy to make! To start, measure out about 1/2 cup (120 ml; 4 fl oz) of school glue into a medium-sized plastic bowl. For the best results, use non-washable glue. However, you can use white, clear, or even glittery glue if you like! [1]
    • School glue is often sold in approximately 4 oz (113 ml) containers, which hold about 1/2 cup (120 ml; 4 fl oz) of glue. If this is the size you have, you can just pour out the whole bottle.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    You’ll need an equal mixture of glue and water to get the perfect silly putty, so measure out 4 oz (120 ml) of water and pour it into the bowl. Then, use a spoon, fork, or whisk to stir the glue and water together until they’re completely blended.
    • The water doesn’t have to be hot for this step. Regular room temperature tap water is fine.
    • If you poured out a whole bottle of glue, just fill the bottle with water for an easy way to measure!
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    You can make your putty any color you want! Just add a few drops of food coloring to your glue and water mixture and stir everything together well. [2]

    Tip: Get creative with your colors! Try mixing 2 drops of blue food coloring with 1 drop of green to get a cool teal color, for instance, or mix 2 drops of yellow with 2 drops of red to get orange putty.

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    Scoop out about 1/2 tsp (4 g; 0.14 oz) of Borax powder and add it to 1/4 cup (60 ml; 0.14 fl oz) of hot water in a small cup or bowl. Then, stir the mixture vigorously with a spoon until the Borax granules have dissolved.
    • You can use the hottest water from your tap for this.
    • Borax is a cleaning agent that’s sold at most grocery stores. It’s relatively mild, but some people do experience some skin irritation when they handle it. Also, be sure to supervise any children when they’re around Borax, and do not let them eat this silly putty.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    When you start stirring all of the ingredients together, you’ll see them reacting almost immediately. At first, it will look like the glue is clumping together, but keep stirring until you get a ball of putty with a relatively even consistency.
    • There may be some water left in the bottom of the bowl when the putty forms. That’s normal and you don’t have to try to work it into the dough.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    Pick up the ball of putty and work it with your hands, pulling, squishing, and rolling it for about a minute. Before long, you should notice that the putty stretches when you pull it slowly, but it should also return to its shape easily. The silly putty will also snap if you pull it apart sharply, and it will even bounce if you drop it onto the table!
    • If you have sensitive skin, you may need to wear gloves while you’re kneading the putty. The excess Borax could irritate your hands. However, once you finish making it, silly putty isn’t likely to cause any irritation.
  7. When you’re finished playing with your silly putty, put it in a resealable plastic bag or a plastic container. If you’d like, you can also wrap the putty in clear plastic wrap before you put it in the container. This will help seal out any air, so your putty will last longer.
    • You can even keep your putty in a plastic egg if you want it to seem more like store-bought silly putty!
    • Unlike real silly putty, this product will dry out within a few days. However, storing it in an airtight container will slow this process.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Putty for Spackling

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  1. If you’re working on a home improvement project and you need to fill holes, you can make an inexpensive version of spackling putty in just a few minutes! Visit a home improvement store and buy a bag of basecoat plaster, which will likely be near the drywall supplies.
    • If you can, choose the kind that takes 45 minutes to set, often called “Basecoat 45.” That will give you plenty of time to fill the holes, but the mixture will harden quickly once you’re finished.
    • Basecoat plaster is typically sold in 25 lb (11 kg) or 50 lb (23 kg) bags. Although you won’t need that much for most projects, it’s inexpensive and will keep indefinitely.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    The measurement for this doesn’t have to be exact, but you’ll probably need about 1/4 cup (50 g) of the basecoat plaster. It will be easier to mix on a flat surface, so pour the powder in a pile on the top of a plastic paint lid or a similar tray with slightly raised sides, then use your finger to make a dip in the center of the pile. [3]
    • You should have a shape sort of like a volcano when you’re finished.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    Since plaster absorbs moisture from the environment, the exact amount of water you’ll need for this will vary. Start by adding about 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 mL) of room-temperature water to the center of the well. If the mixture seems too dry when you mix it together, you can add more water. [4]
    • While you can add more plaster if the mixture gets too runny, you might end up making more putty than you need. To avoid wasting excess putty, it's best to start with less water than you think you'll need, then gradually add more.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    Cut, scrape, and spread the basecoat plaster and water to mix them together. As you do that, you should notice a putty starting to form. Keep mixing until you have a smooth, spreadable consistency. [5]
    • The putty should be easy to spread, but it should still hold its shape. If the mixture is too thick, add more water, a little at a time. If it’s too runny, add more basecoat plaster. [6]
  5. To use your putty, press it into a hole in the wall, then scrape it to create a smooth, flat surface, and let it dry. When it’s completely hardened, sand away any bumps, then paint over the plaster and enjoy your handiwork! [7]
    • Throw any leftover putty in the trash.

    Just need to fill a small hole? If you only need to fill a hole that's 1 ⁄ 8  in (0.32 cm) or less, try spreading white, non-gel toothpaste across it for a quick fix!

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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Craft Putty (Sticky Tack)

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    Choose a flat, non-porous material to spread your glue onto, like the lid to a plastic container. You can use as much or as little glue stick as you want for this project. Although it may shrink slightly as it dries, the amount of glue you use will be roughly equivalent to the amount of craft putty you end up with. [8]
    • This is a great way to use the leftovers in the bottom of a glue stick. Just use a craft stick or toothpick to scoop the remaining glue out of the plastic at the bottom of the container.
    • Although this project takes several days to complete, it’s easy and fun, and anyone can do it!

    Tip: You can also spread white glue across plastic wrap, and freeze it overnight. Stretch it and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour, then return it to the freezer. Repeat this for several days. [9]

  2. Put the plastic lid somewhere that it won’t be disturbed, like on a countertop or your desk. Leave it alone for a whole day; otherwise, it might not dry correctly. [10]
    • If you’re worried that dust, animal hair, or other debris might get into your glue, you can cover the container, although it might take a little longer to dry.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    After the first day, use your fingers to roll and peel the glue into a ball, then lift it off the lid. It will still feel sticky, but it will be slightly harder than you started with. Play with the glue for several minutes, working the dried parts and the soft parts together until they’re mixed thoroughly. When you’re finished, spread it back onto the lid and put it back in its original spot. [11]
    • Working the glue at this point will help it to dry more evenly.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Putty
    Depending on how quickly the glue dries, you’ll likely need to leave it to dry for 2 more days, although it could take 3. Be sure to stretch and work the glue at least once a day during the process to make sure the outside doesn’t harden before the inside.
    • Your craft putty will dry more quickly if you live somewhere warm and dry, and it will dry more slowly if the environment is cool and wet. In some cases, your glue may even be ready the second day.
  5. When it’s ready, your craft putty will stretch easily, and it won’t feel sticky to the touch. However, your craft putty will stick when you press it to a wall, so feel free to use it to stick paper or posters to your wall. [12]
    • The putty should tear or snap if you pull it sharply, so it’s easy to use just a small amount for your project!
    • You can store your craft putty at room temperature. It will harden over time, but it should soften again when you knead it. However, it will gradually pick up bits of dust and debris, which will also cause it to harden. When you can no longer knead your putty and it starts to look dark, it's time to make a new batch!
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  • Question
    Is the cornflour and custard powder puddy edible?
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    Yes, as long as you do not add anything else such as glue, borax, etc.
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  • Question
    What is the difference between putty and silly putty?
    Kh3347
    Community Answer
    There isn't really a difference, except that some silly putty recipes include ingredients that causes the putty to make a farting noise when manipulated.
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    What can I use instead of detergent?
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    Liquid starch or eye drops mixed with baking soda.
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      Things You'll Need

      Silly Putty

      • Medium-sized bowl
      • Small cup or bowl
      • Spoon
      • Airtight container
      • Gloves (optional)

      Putty for Spackling

      • Tray
      • Drywall scraper

      Craft Putty

      • Toothpick or craft stick
      • Flat plastic lid

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      Warnings

      • Some people may experience skin irritation when handling Borax.
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        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Supervise children when they're handling Borax, and do not allow them to eat homemade silly putty. Keep other types of putty out of the reach of children.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/how-to-make-silly-putty/
      2. ↑ https://crystalandcomp.com/how-to-make-silly-putty/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/iV2mni9KDnY?t=58
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/iV2mni9KDnY?t=102
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/iV2mni9KDnY?t=151
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/iV2mni9KDnY?t=136
      7. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/paint/how-tos/how-to-repair-small-holes-in-plaster/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/sH9Jsno_jPM?t=208
      9. ↑ https://familyrecipes.fandom.com/wiki/Home_made_sticky_tac
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/sH9Jsno_jPM?t=258
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/sH9Jsno_jPM?t=258
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/sH9Jsno_jPM?t=371

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make silly putty, pour 8 oz (240ml) of all-purpose school glue into a bowl. If you like, add a few drops of food coloring or glitter to the glue. Then add 1/4 cup (60ml) of liquid laundry detergent to the bowl. Keep stirring until the glue starts to ball up and harden. Then, knead the mixture with your hands until it turns into putty.

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