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Options for coating craft foam & styrofoam to create a smooth finish

by Carlyn Maw on August 22, 2011, no comments

Foam can be eaten away by non-water based products. ??Acrylic-Paint-Compatible supplies will work. Paint requires A LOT of coats. Some thicker options for a faster smoother??base coat??below.??

Industrial Products

Styrospray 1000 Foam Coatings??

requires hopper gun.

Foam Coat
Hard, crust-like shell for expanded polystyrene (foam). Developed as an alternative to Vanillacryl (TM). Tough and hard. Can be cut and machined.

Slower process than Styrospray.

More Products

DIY

Replica Props Forum
  • Brushed or rolled on layers of white glue or Mod Podge (it's just white glue) will be the cheap option…
  • If you want a more 'rock' like surface, a 50/50 (give or take) blend of a latex primer and plaster joint compound rolled on will get a real hard coating…

Van's Super Scenic Dope Recipie?
?? ??
??"So Van, I went to tell a friend about your VSSD and when I did the search I found 3 different recipes. I assume that means you don't really have a recipe and sort of fake it. I thought I would post this on the boards instead of in a P.M. because your VSSD sounds like a cool product we all should mess with a little. Could you choose one for us to follow as a starting point and maybe comment on what happens if you alter the ratios. Thanks!" (answer, #3 for rocks, 1 or 2 for a thiner coat)

?? ?? Below are the recipes you have posted in the past.

?? ?? Recipe #1
?? ?? "3 qts flat latex paint < any color, good place to use up all the left over paints from the scenic painters shop>
?? ?? 3 – 5 tubes acrylic latex painters caulk ( often called Alex caulk)??
?? ?? 1 cup Joint compound

?? ?? Recipe #2
?? ?? 1 gallon latex paint
?? ?? 2 tubes Latex painters caulk. < not silicon>
?? ?? 1 cup Joint compound
?? ?? 1/2 cup water putty

?? ?? Recipe #3
?? ?? "about 1 quart of latex paint ( this can be pretinted, neutral base, or a "waste" paint, as long as it's latex.
?? ?? About 4 tubes of Latex caulk. Do not use Silicone caulk. Some Latex caulk are called 'siliconized' and those are ok to use as they are still latex based.
?? ?? About 2 cups of drywall mud. Adds thickness and aids in setup time and helps leave a harder finish when dope is cured."

From the Manufacturers

The makers of Styrofoam??? ??http://www.styrofoamcrafts.com/tips/
  • Paint with an acrylic craft paint. Solvent-based paints may damage the foam (see paint manufacturer's instructions for details). Use a brush with stiff bristles for the best coverage. Place small shapes in a zip-top plastic bag, add paint, seal the bag, and rotate shape until it's completely covered. Remove from bag with pick and let dry."
  • Use spray paint with caution; read the label carefully to determine whether or not it???s safe for STYROFOAM Brand Foam.
  • Hint: Insert a floral pick or wood skewer into your foam shape to use as a handle while painting. When done, insert the handle into a block of STYROFOAM Brand Foam while paint"
  • Cover foam shapes with plaster, wallboard compound, gesso, modeling paste or other coating materials??
  • Smooth it or stucco it, swirl it or sculpt it