How To: Spider Web Balloons

Craft & Design Home
How To:  Spider Web Balloons

spider

So, the stuff inside the balloon that makes the web is called HI-FLOAT, and it’s a commercial product actually sold for injecting into helium balloons to make them retain their helium longer. It forms a skin on the inside of the balloon and keeps the helium from diffusing out so quickly.

The “web” effect is created by applying the HI-FLOAT and letting it dry at one pressure, and then deflating the balloon, stressing it, and then re-inflating to a higher pressure, causing the film to detach from the walls (which, of course, means it’s not working as a sealant anymore, but whatevs).

I’m pretty sure this trick was developed in-house, by the company that makes it, to sell more HI-FLOAT. Still, it’s pretty cool.

4 thoughts on “How To: Spider Web Balloons

  1. Stephen says:

    That’s all well and good and HI-FLOAT is used to make the web but how did they get the spiders in there?!

    1. Dave says:

      “but how did they get the spiders in there?!”

      Did ya read the linked article from Crafty Crafty?
      You put in the spider at the beginning, with the Hi-Float.

      I’d suggest filling with hot air and CO2 (breath), for longer duration. Hang by the stems, instead of having them float up…

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

View more articles by Sean Michael Ragan

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK