Halloween: Gluing things to facial hair

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The discussion centers on the challenge of attaching decorations to a real beard for Halloween, specifically using a concept called "Mandusa." Initial attempts with pipe cleaners and spirit gum have proven ineffective due to sagging caused by weight imbalance. Suggestions include using lightweight materials, balancing the weight of the decorations, and exploring alternatives like adhesive bandages or wire support structures. Concerns about using cyanoacrylate for adhesion are noted, as it may be difficult to remove. The conversation emphasizes the importance of experimentation and finding a solution that maintains the integrity of the beard while achieving the desired look.
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Googling the title will get you a million hits on how to glue a fake beard on. I have a real beard and want to glue stuff to it.

My first attempts are not viable. Need suggestions.

OK, here's the concept: "Mandusa"

1571782208325.png
My moustache is about 1" long and my beard is only about 3/4".

I started with pipe cleaners and spirit gum. I bent the attachment ends into a little platform to help resist torque, and giving me at least 1.5 linear inches of surface contact. I jam it up under my moustache/beard to get maximum grip on skin and hair. It holds for a while, but starts to sag quickly because the weight is off-balance and pulls at the gum.

Wife helpfully bought me a fake beard but, in my opinion, that kind of defeats the purpose.

(I do have tiny rubber snakes, which I may try, but the pip cleaners can be shaped better. The rubber snakes will just hang down, unless I prop them up with the pipe cleaners. But this is a secondary issue. It won't matter if I can't good adhesion.)

I am loathe to try cyanoacrylate.

Suggestions?
 
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DaveC426913 said:
Googling the title will get you a million hits on how to glue a fake beard on. I have a real beard and want to glue stuff to it.

My first attempts are not viable. Need suggestions.

OK, here's the concept: "Mandusa"

View attachment 251673My moustache is about 1" long and my beard is only about 3/4".

I started with pipe cleaners and spirit gum. I bent the attachment ends into a little platform to help resist torque, and giving me at least 1.5 linear inches of surface contact. I jam it up under my moustache/beard to get maximum grip on skin and hair. It holds for a while, but starts to sag quickly because the weight is off-balance and pulls at the gum.

Wife helpfully bought me a fake beard but, in my opinion, that kind of defeats the purpose.

(I do have tiny rubber snakes, which I may try, but the pip cleaners can be shaped better. The rubber snakes will just hang down, unless I prop them up with the pipe cleaners. But this is a secondary issue. It won't matter if I can't good adhesion.)

I am loathe to try cyanoacrylate.

Suggestions?
Spirit gum is fine for attaching more hair, but not for the adornments you're envisioning -- krazy glue would probably work, but it's hard to remove -- the normal solvent for releasing artificial fingernails is acetone, but it requires a few minutes to work -- the quick release mini dip jars contain MEK, a substance no sensible person would want near his face -- maybe, with wire to support the decorations, you could have a person who does eyebrow threading tie them on for you.
 
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DaveC426913 said:
It holds for a while, but starts to sag quickly because the weight is off-balance and pulls at the gum.
If that is really the cause of failure, balance the weight! Join two pipe cleaners end-to-end and attach symmetrically about the CG.

I suspect, however, that the weight is too much for the available adhesion/cohesion of the spirit gum. You may have better results by cutting up an adhesive bandage. Maybe even harvesting the adhesive on them. Some of them will remove the top layer of skin at attempted removal! IIRC, Ethyl Alcohol is a solvent.

And of course as in any glue project, clean & dry is a prerequisite.

Please update about your progress (or lack thereof).

Cheers,
Tom

Addendum: make some lightweight pipe cleaners from yarn and 30Ga. wire-wrap wire. Or just starch some yarn.
 
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Tom.G said:
If that is really the cause of failure, balance the weight! Join two pipe cleaners end-to-end and attach symmetrically about the CG.
Picture a handlebar mustache, but with the ends sticking forward farther than my nose.
The attachment line is laterally along my upper lip. But the torque is parallel to that line, so the whole thing tips forward. Only way to balance it around the CG is to have wires inside my skull. o0)
 
I'm experimenting with a more rigid base structure that goes across the upper lip, then down my "chops" to my chin in an upsidedown "U".

I'm using white and grey pipe cleaners, so it's practically invisible!
 
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OK. I think I got it.

I'm holding with my lip because I can't glue it on yet; the spirit gum will mangle it. But it seemed to work on my prototypes.

I hope no joker tries to rip it off, or I'll end up in the hospital for lipular reconstruction.

MANdusa.jpg
 
Nice snakes!

Stick them into a mouth guard or glue them to dentures (if you have them).
Their entrance into your month will be hidden by your mostash.
 

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