Hi All,

I've just been offered a party shop window to decorate and advertise my twisting skills.

However, the shop gets the sunshine most of the day and I was wondering if you wonderful people have any advice on how to minimise popping and wear & tear in direct sunlight?

thanks
Danny

Hi Danny, sorry maybe a bit late! I make the models out of 350s when possible and use balloon shine on them, "when making them for my studio window" lasts a lot longer in the sun than 260s, but you will need to keep an eye on them as they will start to deflate in parts. Hope this helps. If you have already done the window please let us know how you got on!

Thanks for the advice, and no I haven't done it as yet.

We decided to wait until the sunshine had gone. Well looks like I won't have to wait that long!

350's - great idea!

thanks

Hey Danny

Using nitrogen to fill the balloons instead of air is also an option.  It shouldn't permeate through the latex as quickly as air or expand and contract so much in the heat/cooler air.  It's not too expensive (cheaper than helium) and I know is used by some of the master craftsmen in their larger sculptures because it 'lasts longer' as it were.

Hope this helps

--Neil

Plus a simple option to add to the list...  Use lighter coloured balloons over darker colours, and the balloons will reflect a lot more sunlight.

As an example, I would shie away from black, so steering clear of men in tuxedos, penguins etc.

More subtle, if making a rainbow, use red, lime green, pale blue, yellow and spring lilac (if using Q colours of course).  normally I would use the much darker purple violet, dark blue and dark green, but not for all day exposure.

However, does the shop window get aircon from the rest of the shop, if there is a steady aircon flow, the heat may not be as much of an issue, but also avoid any 'shiny' colours that get dusty, or use balloon shine (I use Armorall).