Cheaper alternatives to Mod Podge? And any lacquer recommendations?

WittyName1

Are there any alternatives to Mod Podge out there that are just as good?
I will be using it to stick photos to different items.

Also, would anyone recommend any particular lacquer sprays for sealing my projects and making them water resistant? For example, for sealing coasters so that the liquid from drinks doesn't ruin them?

Finally - are there any lacquers that allow an item to be functional outdoors, without rain etc destroying it?

Thanks! (I'm a newbie to all this!)

looksee

Afaik Mod Podge is just a decent quality pva adhesive. You hear about it because the American market tends to use brand names rather than generic names - took me ages to work out that Spackle was just filler such as Polyfilla.

You are not going to make anything of that sort totally waterproof, but there are clear lacquers that do not yellow that you can use. I think you would check out artists' lacquer - you need a lot of coats.

WittyName1

looksee wrote: »

Afaik Mod Podge is just a decent quality pva adhesive. You hear about it because the American market tends to use brand names rather than generic names - took me ages to work out that Spackle was just filler such as Polyfilla.

You are not going to make anything of that sort totally waterproof, but there are clear lacquers that do not yellow that you can use. I think you would check out artists' lacquer - you need a lot of coats.

Thanks for that!