Whether you want to prank a friend or create a prop for a home movie, making a plaster cast for your arm or leg is a fun way to create the illusion of a broken limb. With a few objects, you can make a plaster cast in minutes at home!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a sock and bandages
Step 1. Take a white sock that you can cut
This method creates a cast on the arm, wrist or ankle. It can also be used for a cast on the leg, but you will need a few socks or a pair of thigh high socks. Find a sock in the shape of the plaster you want to make.
Step 2. Mark the sock where the cast should stop
Put the sock on your arm or ankle and mark it where the cast should stop. Look for pictures of real limbs in a cast to find the appropriate shape.
- For a cast on the wrist, the marks will be on the edge of the hand where the fingers begin and around the palm where the thumb protrudes.
- For a cast on the ankle, the mark will be placed approximately where the foot stops and where the toes begin.
Step 3. Cut the sock to the correct dimensions
On the basis of the marks made previously, cut the sock to the dimensions of your cast. Don't worry about the bubble created by the heel of the sock since you will be covering it later.
If you want to give your plaster the right thickness, cut two or three socks to the same dimensions and wear them on top of each other until you get the desired size
Step 4. Wear the sock (s)
Once cut to the correct dimensions, the sock can be worn wherever you wish to lay the cast. This is when you need to position it correctly around the fingers / toes and on the arm / leg.
- If you are wearing several layers of socks, fold the edge of the first sock about 1 cm before putting on the others. The edges of your plaster will thus be realistic.
- If you are lucky enough to have an ankle or wrist support, you can wear it under the sock to get the right thickness of plaster without using multiple socks.
- Another option is to wrap an Ace band around the area to be treated before putting on the sock. Not only does this solution provide sufficient thickness, but it also helps to keep the wrist / ankle in place in case you are concerned that the subterfuge will be discovered due to the movements.
Step 5. Cover the plaster with adhesive bandages
These are referred to as adhesive gauze, adhesive tapes or the like. Either way, it is a breathable dressing with a dry, tacky side that helps it stay in place. Start on one end of the cast and cover the entire length of the sock with a thin layer of bandage.
- Be sure to cover the sock completely except at the edges where you folded it. Make sure the compress is tight to give the plaster a perfectly smooth surface despite the few lines of dressing visible.
- Opt for a double layer of dressing to give thickness to the "plaster", especially if you are using only one sock.
- The dressings are sold in different color varieties. It will therefore be easy for you to imitate a colored false plaster.
Step 6. Decorate the plaster
Once finished, your "plaster" is ready for use. To make it even more real, you can decorate it just like really sick people do. Have an accomplice write a few words on your cast and comment to make your story more believable.
- If you are doing a cast for your arm and want to make it even more real (and keep people from looking too closely at it), you can wrap it in a sling. This will keep your arm in place and no one will doubt that it is really broken.
- For a “cast” on the leg or ankle, don't forget to add a pair of crutches to your costume. Reasonably priced old crutches can be found at yard sales or second-hand stores.
Method 2 of 3: Use toilet paper and a tissue
Step 1. Take a roll of toilet paper
This method requires a lot of toilet paper. So start with a whole roll to make sure you have enough. If you are making a "cast" using this method, you will actually need a lot of toilet paper.
Step 2. Cut a roll of five or six sheets
As with papier-mâché projects, you will need to make your "plaster" using small strips and sections. So start with a strip of five or six sheets of toilet paper.
To reduce the completion time, you can double each roll of toilet paper. Cut a second roll the same length as the first and overlap them entirely. This solution not only thickens the "plaster" faster, it also strengthens the bands when it comes time to moisten them
Step 3. Moisten the strips
The bands should be slightly moistened, however you should not soak them at the risk of tearing them when laying around the arm. If you have a spray bottle, just spray the paper rather than soaking it.
Step 4. Wrap the wet bands around your forearm or shin
Whatever location you choose, start with the end where the cast stops. For an ankle cast, you will need to start with the shin. For a wrist cast, you will start on the forearm.
- Start at the top of the cast, as it's easier to wrap it around the ankle or around the thumb after you get a base working.
- Don't be afraid to wrap the toilet paper around the ends of the plaster cast - all you need to do is spin it around to get started.
Step 5. Moisten the toilet paper more
Once the paper is wrapped around your shin or forearm, moisten it even more. Use a spray bottle or your fingers, as you may tear the paper as you run it under the faucet.
Step 6. Remove excess water
The toilet paper will be softer the more humid. The other layers of paper will also stick to it more easily. However, these extra layers will not set if the paper is too wet. So run your hand around the cast on your arm or shin to remove excess water from the toilet paper.
Directly squeeze the paper, because if you twist it instead of tapping it, there is a good chance that it will tear
Step 7. Apply another strip of toilet paper of the same length
After the first layer of paper has been laid, you need to apply a second layer of the same size as the first. Glue the additional double roll on the part where the "plaster" is. Moisture from the first layer will make it easier to stick the second. So add water and remove excess liquid before proceeding.
You have to repeat this operation until the plaster has the desired thickness. Three or four applications will be necessary
Step 8. Add a double wet band of the same size around the wrist or ankle
Once the top of the cast is done, you can move on to the bottom part on your wrist or ankle depending on where you placed it. Cut a double strip of the same length as before, moisten it and glue it carefully.
- For your ankle, you will need to adhere to a 90 degree angle. Otherwise, the toilet paper may tear.
- For your wrist and around your hand, you must wrap the toilet paper from the wrist to the palm (the band therefore passes around the L formed by the thumb and forefinger), around the back of the hand to finally arrive around the palm (but this time on the outside of the thumb). Your tape will be this realistic way. It will leave your thumb and fingers free as is the case with real casts around the wrist.
- Repeat this process until you are satisfied with the lower part of the cast. The latter will certainly require three or four layers of paper as on the upper part.
- Remember to moisten the strips and remove excess water between each layer.
Step 9. Cover all the “plaster” with a colored tissue
If you want to create the illusion of colored plaster, choose the color of the tissue you like and wrap one or two layers around the bandage when you're happy with the result.
Be very careful when applying the tissue to damp toilet paper. The tissue is much more fragile
Step 10. Let the “plaster” dry
Once you are happy with the result with the toilet paper and facial tissue, all you have to do is wait for everything to dry. The toilet paper will harden as it dries and give the "plaster" its realistic appearance.
If you are in a hurry, you can use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process
Step 11. Remember to keep the plaster limb still
Toilet paper tears easily and you should keep your ankle or wrist in a fixed position so as not to break the “cast”.
Using crutches in the case of a “cast” on the ankle will make the joke more believable and allow the limb to be immobilized
Method 3 of 3: Use toilet paper and a bandage
Step 1. Cut a sock
Take the top half (where your toes should go) and arrange it so that your arm can go all the way through. You will necessarily have to make a hole for the thumb. This hole should be halfway up the cut portion.
Step 2. Slide the other half up your arm up to the elbow
Step 3. Slide the top half over your wrist
Step 4. Wrap a flexible band around your arm
You have a choice of toilet paper, paper towel, dressing scraps, etc. to make the strip. Leave room at both ends (where the socks are).
Step 5. Wrap duct tape around the flexible band, leaving room at both ends (where the socks are)
Step 6. Wrap toilet paper around your arm, leaving room at both ends (where the socks are)
Also cover the thumb.
Step 7. Fold the part of the sock left free
Step 8. Place a final layer of toilet paper around your arm and folded parts
Leave some parts of the sock visible.
Step 9. Cover the plaster with glue (liquid glue, white glue or blue glue)
Step 10. Let dry
You can sign it with the marker once this step is completed.
Advice
- Although making a false plaster at home is more fun, you can order one on the Internet. This kind of product is not as expensive as you might think.
- Remember not to cover your wrist or ankle (whichever method you use) because the cast may come off.
- Do not cover your fingers in the event of a cast on the wrist. Just put it around the palm.
- Be careful not to wet your "plaster".
- Using a scarf or crutch will make the joke even more believable.
- Stay away from people who have actually been in a cast as you will see that your cast is fake by comparison.