Make Papier Mâché Light Switch Covers

Light switch covers are usually made from plain beige plastic that seems to be standard for all apartment buildings. Frankly, they're kind of dull. You can't paint them, because it just looks cheap and tacky, so what do you do? Thinking back to second grade, papier mâché might come to mind.

Steps

  1. Disconnect electricity from the switches and outlets from the breaker box.
  2. Remove the covers.
  3. Prepare the papier mâché mix. The mixture should be roughly half white glue and half warm water.
  4. Prepare your work area with extra newspaper.
  5. Before getting your hands sticky, tear (don't cut) the newspaper into strips about a quarter of an inch in width. Vary the sizes, and try not to use any newspaper with colour on either side, as it will show through.
  6. Place 4 or 5 strips in the glue mixture and wait a few minutes. When taking a strip out, try to replace it with a new one so that you always have a bunch soaking.
  7. Start to place the papier-mâché on the covers. After taking a strip out of the bowl, run it through your fingers to remove excess mixture.
  8. When wrapping the paper around the cover's edge, get as close as possible. The switch needs to be able to fit snugly into the hole, and if the papier mâché sticks out, the cover won't fit well.
  9. Make sure to cover all the face plate, and don't be afraid to do more than one layer, either.
  10. Wait for them to dry overnight. It's best to prop them up on something so that the edges don't stick to whatever they're resting on.
  11. After they're (completely) dry, replace them on the light switches. The screw holes on the face plates will be covered with papier mâché. Use a pointy object, like a toothpick, to poke through the papier mâché at the screw holes.
  12. Make sure to (with a utility knife) remove any paper from the back of the cover to prevent fire risk (though unlikely, better safe than sorry).

Tips

  • If you have some covers that are broken from people tightening the screws too much, but you don't want to mâché the covers in that room, switch them. Any breaks will be covered by newspaper.
  • You can paint these after you're done if you don't like the look of the newspaper. Paint will look better on paper than cheap plastic.
  • Don't limit yourself to just newspaper. Try other kinds of paper, like rice paper or tissue paper in layers, for an art effect and color without paint.
  • When you move, or when you get tired of these, you can soak the covers in warm water to peel the paper off. You can also go to a dollar store to get new covers pretty cheap.
  • You may wish to add a coat or two of clear polyurethane spray to the dried paper. This will give you a shiny finish (although I believe there are some sprays that have a matte finish), and it protects the papier mâché from picking up the oil from fingertips, which in turn attracts dirt.

Warnings

  • Make sure that the papier mâché is dry before replacing the covers, otherwise they will stick to the wall.
  • ALWAYS make sure to disconnect power before removing or replacing the face plates. It only takes a slip of the screwdriver or finger to shock you!

Things You'll Need

  • Newspaper (or other kind of paper like rice paper)
  • White liquid glue
  • Small bowl
  • Flat-Head screwdriver
  • Utility knife

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