Okay so how would I get a smoother surface to this? It’s that generic pebbly kinda styrofoam texture. - ThreadSky

neilaglet.bsky.social • 42 days ago

Okay so how would I get a smoother surface to this? It’s that generic pebbly kinda styrofoam texture.

Would it be weird to seal/paint this styrofoam and use it as a display shelf for my little Star Wars guys or something

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I know there is sealer/primer for styrofoam but it's a specific product. Otherwise regular spray paint solvents may cause it to melt and off gas it's own nastiness. Talk to your hardware store people.

roanrampant.bsky.social•42 days ago

Do a test before applying anything. Maybe papermache? Some products, like spray primer, melt styrofoam like cotton candy.

neonriot.bsky.social•41 days ago

I've had success with light weight spackling.

bombsfall.bsky.social•42 days ago

I'd imagine using primer and a couple layers of color might be enough to even it out

schweizercomics.bsky.social•41 days ago

Most foam will melt with aresols. There are some paints that'll not, but your best bet is to mix black acrylic and modge podge in equal measure and just paint a coat over it by hand with a big brush. Then paint and seal with miniwax spray poly, which won't melt the foam.

kodiak.app•41 days ago

The magic words are "acrylic premix grout."

neilaglet.bsky.social•41 days ago

same consistency as grout or mix it thinner?

kodiak.app•41 days ago

Either works - if you mix it thinner, you'll want to brush on two or three coats, but you can also use it straight out of the tub and spread it with your fingers to get into the corners, then spread it flat with a straight edge.

kodiak.app•41 days ago

Probably the best thing to do is find another styrofoam scrap and try it out thick on one side and thin on the other, then either decide which works best for what you want, or curse my name because it didn't work the way you hoped. :D

crabofdoom.bsky.social•41 days ago

Seconding the grout recommendation, and adding that you can go in a Tattooine-like direction by mising in a little art-project sand, for fine texture. Some grouts come in colors, as well, and painting before a sealant may not be necessary.

kodiak.app•41 days ago

Oh, yeah, fantastic suggestion. I was coming at it from a "get me something I can paint on without worrying" perspective, but mix in some glitter additive to a colored grout and you could be done as soon as you seal the grout. :D

rocketpilot.xyz•41 days ago

I'd use Badger's Stynylrez airbrush primer (the name gives a clue to what materials it can be used with) to isolate the styrofoam then you could use something like one of the Modpodge products to level out the surface

modesty.bsky.social•41 days ago

Maybe vacuum forming?

jalexmorrissey.com•42 days ago

I’d use an acrylic primer, then brush on some gesso with a thickening agent/medium. Then it’s ready for finishing.

jalexmorrissey.com•42 days ago

They’re products like Foam Coat that build up the surface, but it’s a pricier option.

jalexmorrissey.com•42 days ago

You could tint the gesso, and that may be all you need for a finish.

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