Lightweight Hot Air Balloons

Try coating the balloon with strips of tissue paper dipped in dilute white glue.

Thanks Avanti; I'll try that.

 

    Wally

Avanti, question:  I have about ten layers of tissue glued onto the balloon. I'm concerned about what happens when I deflate the balloon; what can I expect? Do I need more layers of tissue?  Thanks.

 

    Wally

I hope you don't think I've actually tried this.  

 

Actually, I've been thinking about the issue you raise.  There are two different forces you have to worry about:

1) The sudden collapse of the balloon.

2) The continuing tension of the expanded rubber.

 

You can minimize the former by slowly letting the air out of the balloon rather than just popping it.  If you can pinch a bit of the balloon to isolate it and then prick a small hole in it, it will deflate slowly rather than bursting when you release the pinch.  Another option may be to untie the balloon for a controlled deflation.

 

As for #2, it all depends on how strong the balloon is compared to your shell. I guess cheaper balloons would be better than expensive ones, and big ones with less inflation would be better than small ones inflated hard.   Too bad I didn't say that beforehand, huh? 

 

My guess is that 10 layers should be pretty strong, but I am just guessing.   If it fails, maybe you could think of some way to avoid glueing the shell to the balloon (e.g. wrapping the balloon with plastic wrap before starting the shell?).

 

In any event, take a movie--we are all waiting with baited breath.

 

Hoping I didn't lead you down a bad path,

Wally,

 

Here is all you need to know in order to create your piñatas hot air balloons

 

Materials

 

 - Balloons of desired size

 - Mixing bowl (The wider the better)

 - Flour

 - Water

 - Strips of tissue or newspaper (The narrower, the better because it reduces the chance for kinks or wrinkles. Broader strips cover more area faster.)

 

How-to

 

1. Mix the flour and water together in the mixing bowl, ensuring you get as many clumps out as possible. You want the consistency to be about that of school glue.

 

2. Inflate the balloon to the desired shape. Since you are going for a hot air balloon, you might try the ballons shaped like lightbulbs.

 

3. (This is the fun part, especially for kids) Dip a strip into the mixture long enough to coat both sides. Remove the strip and run it between your fingers to ensure all ares are covered, and to remove excess paste and air bubbles.

 

4. Begin by placing the strips Vertically on the balloon. Wet a finger or two in the paste to use when adjusting the strip. Place the first layer of strips as close as possible but do not overlap the strips. Also, leave about a 1" radius from the top of the balloon uncovered. This is to keep the balloon shel from becoming top heavy and diproportionate, and will be covered later.

 

5. For the next layer, lay the strips so they cover the gaps left between the first layer.

 

6. Continue for as many layers as you wish. During the last three or four layers, fill in the 1" radius at the top of the balloon.

 

7. Allow the balloon to dry until it forms a hard shell. It is best to keep the balloon where the temperature won't fluctuate.

 

8. After the balloon shell has dried, pop and remove the ballon.

 

9. You can sand, putty or paint the shell to your liking.