Foam (1 Viewer)

[amhuff1]

I have some questions concerning using foam and was hoping for some help so here goes...
I am using pink foam from Home Depot is this the right foam?
I made a base and painted it but it smells? is that the paint or a reaction between the foam & paint?
Should I prime or coat the foam with something before I paint it?
And what are the best type of paints to use?

Thanks
Andy

 

[Wraith]

I have some questions concerning using foam and was hoping for some help so here goes...
I am using pink foam from Home Depot is this the right foam?
I made a base and painted it but it smells? is that the paint or a reaction between the foam & paint?
Should I prime or coat the foam with something before I paint it?
And what are the best type of paints to use?

Thanks
Andy

Andy,

Some of the US 'Foam users' might be in a better position to answer some of your queries, but, by the sounds of it, you've got the right foam. I can only imagine that the smell is from the paint (which sort are you using?)
I use acryllic paint on the foam in the main, and as it's water based, theres no reaction. I don't know specifically what's available your side f the Pond, but I pick up the artists acyllics in 200-300ml tubes. It's got the consistency of toothpaste, is cheap, and covers well / mixes well.

I have heard some saying that they have used solvent based spray paints, and that the foam has reacted to this and caused some melting. On the few I've tried, this hasn't happened, probably due to the fairly heavy density of the pink foam, but when acryllic is readily available, why take the chance.

Re the priming, I always put a watered down base layer of paint first, in either black or dark brown. By watering it down a bit, it gets in to all the holes of the foam, and covers completely and easily. I then work with lighter paint by dry brushing over the base paint.

Hope that's of some help,

Simon

 

[amhuff1]

Simon
Thanks for the info. I used a water based paint I got at the local hobby store. I guess the paint just has a smell to it. I guess I am paranoid about damaging any of my collection. I would like to do more with foam as it seems to be easy to work with. My biggest concern was I did not want any strange reaction occurring. I didn't want to go to work and find some of my K&C pieces in a molten mass of foam. I will try another line of paint and see if this helps.
Thanks
Andy

 

[Alexdakar]

If you want to primer the foam you can paint it with black gesso. I tested a piece with spray paint and an hour later it turned into a blob of pink stuff. I've also used my airbrush on the foam and it does not react to the thinner maybe because it drys quickly.

 

[fishead19690]

I have some questions concerning using foam and was hoping for some help so here goes...
I am using pink foam from Home Depot is this the right foam?
I made a base and painted it but it smells? is that the paint or a reaction between the foam & paint?
Should I prime or coat the foam with something before I paint it?
And what are the best type of paints to use?

Thanks
Andy

Yes you have the right foam but be careful what you use on the foam as it can have a chemical reaction and melt the foam. You should use a scrap piece of foam to test anything your not sure of.
As far as paints just get the real cheap acrilic paints they work fine and are cheaper anyways and won,t melt your foam like some of these spray type paints will.
I like to prime the whole piece in black first, let it dry and then paint it, all with the same cheap acrilic paints. I like to get the bigger bottles of paint and mix a lot of my own colors from them but if you go to like a Michaels or A.C. Moore type store they have lots of colors to choose from.
This foam is great for making buildings, scenic pieces, rock formations ect. And can be flocked real easy with some white or wood glue spread all over the piece and then some hobby flocking grass, dirt ,small rocks, twiggs, sticks,cat litter,ect.
Check out my thread on how to make grass clumps.
Be careful what you use for glue on this foam also! Some glues can melt this foam, but regular white or wood glue works fine and hot glue is one of the best bets because it drys real quick. They also make a spray glue made for foam.
Hope this helps!

 

[amhuff1]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I will now try again.
Thanks
Andy

 

[GJB22]

I've never used foam. Does it come in different thicknesses? How easy is it to carve? Will items topple easily when placed on top of it?

 

[mikemiller1955]

use the cheapest acrylic or latex paint you have for a primer...

they won't melt it...

Walmarts a good stop...$8.00 a gallon...

I use browns...in case some dirt groundwork is bare in a spot...

then texture with your groundwork...

white glue is fine...

 

[Mitch]

Probably the same in the US as the UK so, I use from 10mm to 150mm thickness and it comes over here in 5foot lengths and, in small blocks. its easy to carve and I use a heat knife which makes it very easy and seals the cut edge. Its also very easy to sand and shape.

So, not difficult at all to do some amazing things with
Mitch

I've never used foam. Does it come in different thicknesses? How easy is it to carve? Will items topple easily when placed on top of it?

 

[Gazza]

Q - In the UK where do you actually but this foam from? Any which specific type?

Cheers

Gazza

 

[Mitch]

Gazza...

I get all of mine from two sources in the UK its styrofoam but, is also called foamboard though you can get similar from B&Q

Panel systems in Sheffield though they do have a microsite for craftfoam called craftfoam.co.uk

Homecrafts direct in Leicester.

Comes in blue or green and as I said varying thicknesses and can be bought singularly or in packs
Mitch

 

[Gazza]

Gazza...

I get all of mine from two sources in the UK its styrofoam but, is also called foamboard though you can get similar from B&Q

Panel systems in Sheffield though they do have a microsite for craftfoam called craftfoam.co.uk

Homecrafts direct in Leicester.

Comes in blue or green and as I said varying thicknesses and can be bought singularly or in packs
Mitch

Cheers very helpful

Gazza