A crafty experiment... HOW TO SPRAY PAINT STYROFOAM

[@ratcatcher4804]

Coat project complete with craft foam primer found at your local arts and craft store. Then paint. The primer is safe on foam, blocks the acetone and xylene in most spray paints and gives the project a smooth look.

[@julz7753]

I painted them wtih crart paing. could I spray paint them?

[@scovilleunderground7770]

Great informational video! From what I’ve learned, looking into this is that it’s actually the propellant that degrades the polystyrene. I’m currently carving a giant super hot pepper, which have a very rough texture, with tiny pockmarks and bumps, so this video confirms just what I’m looking to achieve, which is the exact texture that you are getting on the blank, uncovered block. Another way to avoid this degradation is to make a sealant, using a mixture of 2 parts Elmers (or equivalent) craft glue, to one part water and thoroughly covering the polystyrene, before spray painting it! Again, great video! Thanks for the info!

[@MeganplusFIVE]

Thank you for the info Scoville. This is great info to know:)!

[@lzrd8460]

I' m so glad I googled spray painting styrofoam and up popped this video. Thank you so much for taking the time to show us what happens when spray painting syro. Especially, since you're a busy mum!! So now I want to know if regular chalk paint can be brushed onto styrofoam without and melting. I've ordered a styro. head that I want to paint and decorate and I want to make certain it won't melt before attempting. I don't know much about painting so sorry if my question is s stupid one! Thanks again.

[@MeganplusFIVE]

Hey! I'm so glad you enjoyed this video. Oh yes, these kiddos keeps this momma BUSY, especially right now that school has been cancelled and we are learning from home (I'm actually really loving it!!). I have brushed paint on coated Styrofoam but never on uncoated Styrofoam. I am sure that it will likely do the same as the spray paint and break it down easily if it isn't coated. Best of luck though and I'd love to hear how your project turns out!

[@thirdeye9106]

@@MeganplusFIVE Acrylic and latex paint could be the answer because acrylic and latex paint are water based. I have successfully brush painted some styrofoam cooler boxes with acrylic paints. But then not all styrofoam is created equil. So just give acrylic or latex a try ! Spray paints are all solvent based so don't go there. 🇺🇸

[@MeganplusFIVE]

Thanks so much for you feedback:)!! Yes, brushing on acrylic paints to styrofoam does have a different reaction. Sometimes it’s just easier and better coverage to spray paint it instead. That’s why I created this informative little video. There are a few different styles of styrofoam out there and lots of different types of spray paint. I wanted to share what happened with everyone when experimenting with them:)

[@shanicewinbush1402]

Megan plus FIVE thanks for sharing what is a good base coat? What should it be coated with prior to spray painting

[@jennifernaylor5380]

Thank you so much for this! I was this close to painting my Dollar Tree foam pumpkins with a brush (which I did not want to do for this particular craft) because everything I've read said it would melt the styrofoam. I am so glad I found this video! I am so happy I can go forth and use my glossy white Rustoleum and save the brush painting for the next round of pumpkin painting! I am doing "hobnail milk glass" pumpkins :) Thanks again!

[@MeganplusFIVE]

You are welcome:)!! I’d love to see how your pumpkins turn out, those sound super cute!

[@ruchancakaloglu]

The material that pressurizes the spay is the main reason for dissolving the foam

[@alicelong100]

❤thank you for such an extensive testing!❤

[@valeriabelmonti7359]

I read that the brand Design Master won’t damage styrofoam. I purchased some but have not yet spray painted by styrofoam balls for my project

[@beckarcese3946]

I need a really lightweight picture frame because my new apartment building doesn't allow large nails or hangers in their walls. I'm glad I saw this video because my idea was to construct a frame out of styrofoam and spray paint it. That idea's dead. Would the same thing happen with craft paint applied with a brush?

[@julz7753]

I painted them with craft paint and I dont like how they look. I am making a planter with the foam wreaths stacked and glued. would it be ok to spray paint over it now? with the stone look paint?

[@lady_dragoness6344]

ironically this video had a lot of great examples for how to get varying depths of texture on your styrofoam if you're melting it on purpose... controlled melting... for aquarium backgrounds. If you are intrigued by this concept just do your research on aquarium safe sealers, other hobbyist have had luck with krylon fusion in terms of spray paints; some spray paints are not safe for various reasons.

[@Cvs-om3hd]

ok. this was good to know but what paints can be use on the styrofroam? is it the arts and crafts paints?

[@MarkJonesRanger]

Prime it with a Acrylic latex paint. Then you can spray paint it.

[@josetteskinner4200]

Can I spray paint the green foam like the type at Hobby Lobby??

[@MeganplusFIVE]

Hey Josette! You can certainly try. This was a crafty experiment I tried and I found that coated foam was much better to spray paint.

[@peterkelley6344]

I, like some of the other viewers, were looking at spray painting styrofoam. In summery of the comments below you seem to need a styrofoam primer, and then the paint itself. A new question rises up. Are there different types of styrofoam primers, and which works best??

[@TurnOneGraphics]

Rust-oleum 331045 Foam Primer Spray

[@peterkelley6344]

@@TurnOneGraphics Thanks for the feedback. and the swift response.

[@wicklowabby7977]

If you can't find a primer for styrofoam... You can do without by staying further off the project. (I try 16" or so for the first few coats)..This gives the solvent a moment to evaporate some before landing on the project, so damage is minimal.. sometimes unnoticeable. The very light coats will also act similar to a primer and give subsequent coats something to bite. I suggest practicing (it's going to be trial and error) before you start your piece. Then you'll know if the finish is acceptable, and because it is time consuming, whether you have the patience for very light coats. (Most people can't do a regular light coat) Primer would be better... But in a pinch... Anyway, good video.. and thank you.!

[@s.pruitt9846]

Did you mean 16 feet or inches?

[@wicklowabby7977]

@@s.pruitt9846 16 inches..oops.

[@courtNOTlove]

Acrylic spray paint may work

[@vickirickman9373]

Thank you

[@karimacintyre8306]

Awesome 👌

[@delenemitchell6273]

Thanks for the video. I found that if you spray paint from a distance of about 11 inches or more, spray paint will not melt the styrofoam. It can be messy, but it works! Cover all surfaces & work in a well ventilated area. The paint is cold when it is coming out of the can & this is why it melts the styrofoam when it’s too close. Thanks again.

[@MeganplusFIVE]

Good to know Delene! Thanks for the input. I’m so glad to know this new to me info:)!!! This was a crafty experiment I did for my fellow crafters bc I was getting so many questions about spray painting.

[@leslielewis40]

You just saved me a lot of time and aggravation. Thanks!

[@joymobley1508]

I wish you had also used a regular piece of styrofoam.

[@markcramer4762]

You are spraying it too close to the foam. What melts the foam is the propellant inside. Spray it from 12+ inches and the propellant evaporates before it hits the foam.

[@jameskett5241]

You need acrylic paint for styrofoam.

[@stevedallas007]

If you keep can 2 feet from foam, light coats, it should not melt.

[@shawneeshell38]

The cheaper stuff definitely melted my styrofoam pumpkin

[@EveSprinkle]

thanks this is helpful

[@MeganplusFIVE]

You’re welcome:)!

[@hithereperson8137]

I tried this and the entire block melted

[@MeganplusFIVE]

I hope I was able to show you some tips on how to successfully paint styrofoam. I found that the coated kind could be spray painted without “melting” but if you spray too long on one spot it does break down.

[@hithereperson8137]

Megan plus FIVE that was when I tried the first time it worked when I got a different spray paint

[@esthermontoro]

I hope you are wearing a mask!!! 😮

[@keithmorrison3520]

As with ALL of these videos, there is WAY TOO MUCH yakkity yak. I closed the video.