How To Paint Urethane Foam Rubber - How I Painted my Robocop Midsection! Not As Easy as It Sounds

Another video showing you guys how I painted my Robocop Midsection and Neck Piece. I had no close how difficult it was to paint anything urethane related so I had to go on a long journey finding out how to paint it. Long story short I found a paint that is perfect for my Smooth-On Flex Foam IT 15 urethane foam rubber midsection. After a little deeper investigation found that what you need to paint it isn't an expensive specialty paint but a paint you can find at your local Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or Joanne's.
Hope this video helps some of you out!

[@rafaeldav4864]

man thank you, exactly what i was looking for for that exact product

[@ChrisBoshProps]

No problem man glad I could help!

[@Hosed69]

Thank you for doing this research, and especially for sharing it! Outstanding job on your Robocop.

[@matthewazevedo274]

Dude awesome find on the paint! Thanks for the tip.

[@ChrisBoshProps]

No problem man! Thanks for checking in!

[@TheNextDecade]

Hi! Thanks for sharing this, I had no idea tulip stuff could be used like that. I'd like to share some advice on the plasti dip to urethane foams. It wasnt ever going to bond too well without one or two specific things: Heavy coats or Heavy coats over an adhesive layer. Plasti dip can be tough as hell but a few light coats from the can wont do, especially on harder or sharper edges. Needs a solid 1/8" thick layer to be durable or flexible enough on urethane like that. There are some ways around thicker coats, some additives for plasti dip and diy spraying are awesome. But I prefer to use a light coat of a contact cement. Plasti Dip loves to sit on contact cement, If you can loosen some up and spray it in a regular spray bottle, it can be a great primer for a tougher plasti dip. Killer castings btw, they look lovely!

[@ChrisBoshProps]

Thanks for the comment I super appreciate it! Yeah I love plastidip but it's not a good idea for this particular application. For other stuff it works fantastic. The Tulip dye paint actually absorbs in the urethane foam so it's just not a top layer that can tear or rip which I like better and it gives a nice sheen and almost looks painted. Thanks again!

[@electron115]

Thank you Chris, for your informative tutorial. I want to paint polyurethane (same as urethane?) and your video may have saved me a lot of wasted time. In your opinion (others?) do you think the Tulip paint can be used as a "primer" for additional coats of various acrylic paints?

[@ChrisBoshProps]

Yes urethane rubbers made by Smooth On are polyurethane. To be honest I'm not really sure it can act as a primer for acrylics because I haven't tried it and don't want to point you in the wrong direction. Your best bet like me is to try a small inconspicuous area and test it out. I do know in the smooth on flex foam it 15 video after he paints the Batman foam piece with Tulip he brush paints the batman logo with Acrylic paint. It's definitely worth a try. Hope that helps!

[@theShanman-uo3xm]

Awesome video thanks for the advice my question is is urethane foam the same thing as regular urethane rubber I have a Batman cowl that I wanted her repaint and it's urethane will that tulip paint work on a Batman cowl made of urethane rubber as well?

[@ChrisBoshProps]

Yes the urethane used for Batman pieces is the same. Just make sure indefinitely that it's not latex. As far as I know it should work no problem on the urethane rubber. I've used it on urethane foam rubber which is generally the same and it goes on with no problem. I would do a small test piece just to be sure. Hope that helps.

[@manpunisher]

Hello. What a great tip!! After you use that tulip paint, isn't it all sticky like with the other regular spray paints? And what about other colors like bronze or military green/camouflage, that I'm currently looking for and I don't think there are those in that tulip brand, what would you recommend? Thank!!

[@ChrisBoshProps]

Nah the urethane is porous so as long as you do light coats it absorbs the Tulip dye paint. I'm not really sure to be honest, you'll have to look into it. I knoe Tulip makes most of the basic colors.

[@DymoPolska]

Hey! Sorry for commenting so late, but I've been on a same road with finding Flex Foam It 15. Did you ever try to FIRST spray the mould surface with couple of coats of PlastiDip and then using Flex Foam to cast? (so it bonds with "base layer" of dip?" I think if done well it might give the project a front base of PlastiDip coating, backed up by foam. I've been spraying plasti dip on things in a plastic container box for some time, and I noticed after time it develops a rubber wall that can be pulled off, so here is where my plasti dip base - flex foam back idea came from. I'll be trying it soon hopefully!

[@ChrisBoshProps]

No problem at all sir. I thought about trying that method but never did because I didn't want to waste material and I'm almost 100% sure that even though the Plasti-Dip would bond it would still crack and pull apart from the flexing. I was very happy with the results of painting with the Tulip. It's been several months later and the Tulip paint is still holding up on the Flex Foam IT 15 casts I've done. Thanks for commenting sir and wish you the best with your future project!

[@DymoPolska]

@@ChrisBoshProps Thanks! Sadly I can't get Tulip anywhere here. I guess I'll be testing everything if plasti dip base doesn't work 😂

[@Hydrated7Gamer]

Is it a good idea to sand the foam before spray painting

[@ivopirata1641]

which machine do you use to cut the robocop molds?

[@ChrisBoshProps]

To cut the flash on the mold I use an exacto knife and a razor blade.

[@JC-ms2rz]

Do they not make ANY protective topcoat for their paints? Everyone that uses this expensive plaid flex paint but then top coats using art spray (much MUCH less flexible) to "protect" the paint job. That is just silly. Have you tried the Plaid FX paint it is very good for rubber surfaces. I also prime the rubber with 3m tape primer and then the paint is on forever.

[@ChrisBoshProps]

I'm not really sure about top coats. I sprayed it on foam pieces I've casted for my suit and worn them for hours without any issues. For my particular application it's not really needed. I have not heard of Plaid FX paint but might have to look into it. The Tulip paint is perfect for the Robocop pieces. Thanks for the comment.

[@Bringos76]

Nice Mariners uniform! Are you from Seattle?

[@ChrisBoshProps]

No im from Texas but im a huge Griffey Jr fan. Thanks!

[@saitejagatadi9711]

Hi Chris, How can I paint on the Rubber surface, The reason why I want to paint on rubber is.. Whenver I touch them, my hand is full of the colour (Like I play with colours :) I don't want to wash my hands every time I touch this rubber. Is there any solution for this if you are aware of!!

[@ChrisBoshProps]

Use Tulip paint to paint your rubber.

[@animosfames2063]

Awesome, Go Use robocop 🔥🔥🔥

[@ChrisBoshProps]

Will do thanks!

[@keefmilbo61]

I wish these were available to buy, I'm a retired firefighter in the UK and would love to wear my Bruce hansing robocop costume but the black parts are plastic and to uncomfortable 😭

[@ChrisBoshProps]

Hey what up Milbo. I'm Pchrisbosh1 from Robocop Archive, you made me some rubber gloves a few years ago. I used those gloves in my OCP returns video. Its good to see you and hope your doing good. I'm a current fulltime Firefighter/EMT in Texas. Thank you for your service!

[@stevecobratei8538]

Dude, if you cleaned and used adhesion promoter anything would not have peeled

[@ChrisBoshProps]

I guess you've never worked with urethane rubber. Adhesion promoter is useless on urethane rubber. Only specialized urethane paints and Tulip work.

[@karolinakiwicreations5738]

Now if they could only make this for airbrushes...sigh