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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
I'm going to be spraying some polystyrene eggs for pantomime. Can any craft spray be used for polystyrene? The eggs won't really be handled, most of the time they'll be sat in a basket on display so not too bothered about whether the spray will rub off easily or not.
Thanks Mark
Mark Daniel
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Most aerosol sprays will dissolve styrofoams like polystyrene. You can buy "foam-safe" sprays, but a cheaper solution would be to coat them in a mixture of white glue and water (about 1:1 or 1:2) and let it dry, creating a protective coat which will help keep them from melting under the spray paint.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Thanks for the help. Will do that tomorrow. I thought I remembered reading that the poly would melt but couldn't find the thread.
Mark
Mark Daniel
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
Paint the eggs with Gesso (a primer, available at art stores) first. then you can spray the polystyrene safely.
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Thanks Gaddy. Will weigh up my cheapest options when I buy the eggs tomorrow. Don't want to spend too much on this as I've pretty much spent the budget on props and staging, and still have things to buy!!
Mark
Mark Daniel
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Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Two words: Bin primer.
TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
There is a difference in painting styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) and sheet or cast styrene.
In my model railroading experience, the only paint I have ever had trouble with on sheet or cast styrene is lacquer. Oil-based enamels and acrylics all worked well when applied in light coats using an airbrush. Lacquer tends to "craze" the surface of the styrene if used without a primer. Two brands that I used most were Accupaint and Scalecoat. They came in various formulas for different materials, and both companies make an appropriate primer for plastics.
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Well, I went with my cheapest option - PVA glue/water mix, let them set for a couple of hours and then sprayed. They went fluffy!!! I think my PVA/water mix was wrong, looked a little too watery but hey, from stage, they still look like golden eggs! Think I'll be leaving polystyrene well alone for a while!!!
Thanks for all your help Mark
Mark Daniel
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
I used to do a lot of custom modeling in my youth, and expanded polystyrene was a great material- cheap, light and versatile. It does take some finesse to work with, though.
Glad it worked out for you as well as it did...
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Sorry they went fluffy on you! When I worked with styrofoam and white glue, it worked well for me, though I did use at least a 1:1 water/glue ratio and made sure everything was heavily coated.
As I've said before, always test on scrap when uncertain... Better luck next time!
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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