Ⓕ Making styrofoam look like brick/stone - Shrek theater build (ep2)

I was asked by a local high school to make a tower for their upcoming musical, Shrek.
This is a rundown of the construction. I show how to make expanded polystyrene (eps) look like brick. I build for local theater groups and normally it doesn't need to be this realistic. In this case it protruded into the audience so I made it look as real as I could.
Sorry there isn't more video, but I built this before I was making youtube videos.
Please share this video!
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[@bearkatwood6354]

That turned out great, I can't believe that was for a high school play. I think we would have used old refrigerator boxes and duct tape. Nice work.

[@NickFerry]

Lol - yeah they really liked it

[@JohnHeisz]

Very authentic looking - really nice work!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks John I appreciate it. Thanks for checking out my channel.

[@MRrwmac]

That effect (and build) us seriously amazing! Excellent. Thanks for sharing.

[@NickFerry]

Thanks

[@peggyt1243]

Very creative! The school and drama students are very lucky to have you.

[@NickFerry]

peggyt1243 I love seeing their faces when they see the set's complete. It makes my week. Thanks for the kind words.

[@VarnishSpar]

It looks like real stone! Very talented!!

[@tompritch56]

I love the method used to do the bricks. Nice job.

[@NickFerry]

Thanks a lot Tom.

[@JamesAmos]

Great video for both design and the how-to of making texture. Thanks for the whole thing.

[@NickFerry]

Not a problem, I enjoyed sharing it.

[@hcarlos3610]

WOW.. NICE JOB

[@NickFerry]

herrera' s bench thank you I appreciate it.

[@jimcoogan1529]

When I lived in New York City I had a couple of friends that did set design and construction for Broadway shows. At the time I was a professional photographer and they asked me to photograph the build. It was the most fascinating experience. Had a blast and that got me into some special effects work and even deeper into DIY work. Your build is every bit as fascinating and you did a fantastic job. Thanks for sharing.

[@NickFerry]

Jim Coogan Thank you, that's a huge compliment considering what broadway comes up with

[@jimcoogan1529]

Nick Ferry Well your work is every bit as good except they probably have larger budgets :-) These guys had 2 moving vans that were outfitted as complete workshops and they just backed up to the loading docks. They got hit by a blackout in the area they were in once so after that each van had a built in generator. I loved to play in their workshops :-)

[@NickFerry]

Jim Coogan Yeah my budgets are next to nothing. It makes things interesting to say the least.

[@jimcoogan1529]

Nick Ferry Just means you have to be that much more resourceful :-)

[@boudreaumay3040]

No questions Nick ! Been there done that, just wanted to say what a giving deed "Memories" !

[@NickFerry]

Thanks!

[@MichaelOlsen-Engineer]

Impressive work and creativity. Love the heat gun trick.

[@NickFerry]

Thanks Michael

[@WoodTraveler]

WOW! Pretty dang cool! looked great!

[@NickFerry]

Ron Buchanan Thanks Ron!

[@JayBates]

Dude this is so cool!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks a bunch

[@MeghanMowder]

Nicely done! It's very nice of you to help out the school and getting the kids involved.

[@NickFerry]

Meghan Mowder It's funny you commented on this video - normally all the set pieces I build are taken down at "strike" (theater fancy speak for deconstruction) but this particular one was left up all year and they plan on using it for the next musical - I actually have to go make some repairs on the tower tomorrow so it will be ready for the next show - I plan on getting some video of that to do a "year later" thing for my FerryTalk

[@MeghanMowder]

I don't blame them for not wanting to destroy it!

[@ExpatPhil]

Great job Nick, a lot of work for a short existence!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks Phil. That is always the hard part to theater, taking everything down at strike. In this case, they liked the tower so much that they opted to keep it up. As far as I know it is still there.

[@sjlstevens]

Well done. Very creative, and realistic.

[@NickFerry]

+Stephen Stevens thanks - the kids really liked it

[@Docdaugh]

Wow! Great Job! Very impressed with the construction and special effects.

[@NickFerry]

+Docdaugh thanks - I'm pretty proud of this one!

[@engieviral]

Looks awesome! I use similar techniques in miniature scale, it's cool to see it "blown up" still looking good.

[@NickFerry]

Thank you

[@judichristopher4604]

THIS is why I'm watching this great video... I am an ACTING Teacher and will be doing props and signs. This is a great video... Fantastic Thank you for sharing this video NICK "Bravo Darling... Bravo"

[@NickFerry]

Thank you so much for the kind words - consider sharing it with anyone that could benefit in a similar way - so cool to hear - if you snag any pictures of what the final set looks like consider tagging me in it I would love to see what you guys come up with

[@judichristopher4604]

@@NickFerry OHHH That is an EXCELLENT Idea... I will... I am in the process of moving back to Albuquerque, New Mexico to RE-Open my Acting Studio... to teach acting for Film, TV & Theatre... for Kids, Teens & Adults... but what I really want is to also do a Mystery Dinner Theatre... We've done it before on a smaller scale... but the main thing is... I want to give kids (especially) a chance to know what they can do... I was a Foster Kid... and had great mentors, and I want to be that person for other kids too... and big kids too... LOL Again... Thank you for your Beautiful Art... do you have more videos like this?

[@NickFerry]

@@judichristopher4604 Very cool and best of luck with everything - check the video description for a link or go right to my website nickferry.com and there should be an article related to this video where I do one or two more with the faux texturing

[@judichristopher4604]

@@NickFerry Will do Nick... Thank YOU so much.

[@rzmonk76]

Very professional, this really got my wheels turning

[@NickFerry]

Thanks, I appreciate it. If you end up making something with the technique, let me know, I'd love to see it.

[@jorgenlannock]

i even loved it more without the stage light. it looks soo real. beautiful.

[@NickFerry]

Jörgen Börg Thank you, I did too

[@holdemNE1]

Thanks for teaching me these tricks.....this is amazing work and so realistic. You're supposed to learn something new everyday. This sure qualifies for me..........now I can go back to bed. Well done!!!!!!!!!

[@NickFerry]

+Big Mike is talking sounds like a plan - I'm going to bed too

[@chaitanyavedak2412]

Amazing Method for making the StyroFoam Bricks... Absolutely Loved it... :D

[@NickFerry]

Chaitanya Vedak Thank you, this is a method I have come up with over the years and I'm very proud of it.

[@shortyumpire]

Great work! I like the heat gun trick. I have made a bunch of foam props for shows. Looks just perfect here! Jim in Sweden

[@NickFerry]

shortyumpire Thanks Jim in Sweden!

[@danielway9662]

Hey, Nick, that is really cool! You are one creative guy!

[@NickFerry]

+Daniel Way thanks!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Dang, Nick, that came out pretty darned awesome! That's one of the nicest pieces of scenery a school play can hope to have. It break my heart to think of it being torn apart after the play has run its course. I never thought of using heat to texture Styrofoam like that. I've always done it by painting it with spray paint. But with the the spray paint you can't control the amount of "erosion" quite as well. Great video and excellent information. Thank you for showing this.

[@NickFerry]

That is the part I hate too, taking everything down. But in this case they left it up to possibly use for prom or something. I don't know if it is still up, but I didn't have to see it come down.

[@GreenArrows0705]

Amazing! Great job on the set. Brett

[@NickFerry]

Thank you so much. Make sure to share and subscribe if you haven't already.

[@builderswholesale2293]

Great Work!! Came Out Awesome

[@NickFerry]

Builders Wholesale Thank you, I was pretty proud of this one.

[@CemlynJones1952]

That's fantastic. I had no idea you could do that with the foam. I guess I'll be playing with that next year !!!!

[@NickFerry]

it's pretty versatile stuff - have fun plating around with it!

[@FireLordJD]

Amazing work! This has been very helpful!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks, I’m glad I could help

[@j.d.ransom6721]

Great work! Thanks for sharing.

[@NickFerry]

Thanks, I am doing the musical Aladdin this fall and get to do something similar. I'm sure I will get video of that too. Thanks for watching.

[@stringmanipulator]

Outstanding work .. !!

[@NickFerry]

stringmanipulator thank you so much

[@9and7]

Awesome Job! Amazing work!

[@NickFerry]

thank you, I appreciate it!

[@MHAUSMAN]

Great work, very impressive.

[@NickFerry]

Michael Hausman Thank you so much

[@ivanmills7664]

Really cool Nick!

[@NickFerry]

ivan mills Thanks much ivan!

[@kenl5217]

really cool. very realistic

[@NickFerry]

+Ken L thank you!

[@youthmusicaltheatercorp.8727]

This is amazing Thank you!!

[@NickFerry]

No problem - glad you liked it

[@LoneOakWoodworks]

Awesome job!

[@NickFerry]

Thanks much 👊🏻

[@cybercapri]

Great Project, very well done....

[@NickFerry]

+Paul Bialozor thank you, I appreciate it Paul!

[@BillHantzopoulos]

Really impressive! You are truly an artist.

[@NickFerry]

Artist may be a stretch, but thank you, I'm glad you liked it.

[@BillHantzopoulos]

Nick Ferry Coming from someone with very limited creative talent, you are an artist to me.

[@NickFerry]

well thanks

[@YusserAlQazwini]

Amazing!

[@NickFerry]

Yusser Ali Thank you

[@pierrerousseau8770]

I recently had to make some faux brick for a school play . i made it of styrofoam as well, I wish I had watched this video before hand. Your tower is absolutely fabulous !!!

[@NickFerry]

+Pierre Rousseau thank you - thats's awesome - do you have any pictures? I'd love to see it

[@pierrerousseau8770]

+Nick Ferry unfortunately I don't but even if I did, I wouldn't show them to you ...too embarrassing lol :) i have watched more of your videos..."cutting corners" is obviously not part of your vocabulary !!! you are very skilled sir Keep posting those videos

[@NickFerry]

will do - thanks for the support!

[@anthonypayne6032]

Awesome! We didn't have stages like that when I was in school.

[@NickFerry]

+Anthony Payne thanks, the kids really liked it

[@ramialahmar5139]

Wow nick so cool this is why i love and your show keep up good work

[@NickFerry]

Rami Alahmar Thanks Rami!

[@ramialahmar5139]

You're welcome

[@jasoncook6518]

fantastic great idea!

[@NickFerry]

thanks, it's a fun effect to do

[@ReaperWoodworks]

Friggin' cool!!!!!! Who the hell thumb downed this?!?!!? LOL. Sure am enjoying catching up on your videos Nick. Good stuff.

[@NickFerry]

+ReaperWoodworks thanks man much appreciated - I am doing a video specifically for working with this foam sometime this summer hopefully - love working with this stuff!

[@itchyego]

I Love Stage work!

[@NickFerry]

It can be addicting.

[@russell2270]

awesome job

[@NickFerry]

Russell Pitts Thank you

[@NickFerry]

Making styrofoam look like brick/stone - Shrek theater build (ep2) throw back Thursday

[@ValerioParavano]

Very nice!

[@BusyDadsWorkshop]

That is a great job! Heat gun is genius!

[@sachem54]

Wow. Very realistic rendering with styrofoam.

[@VincentRutley]

amazing work

[@NickFerry]

thanks!

[@burnnfly]

Nice work Nick -- I work in theater also, but I'm a Fight Choreographer, which means, I'm the guy who makes you keep coming back for repairs. Did a production of "Camelot", where the Director wanted 6 Broadsword fights; two fights pitted Lancelot against 5 Knights -- poor art department had to make repairs almost nightly.

[@NickFerry]

+Mike Martinez ha - but the fight scenes are awesome

[@TheRedWhiteandBlueWoodshop]

Going to try this

[@NickFerry]

The Red White and Blue Woodshop you should it is a lot of fun

[@TheSterlingCastle]

Well Done Sir!

[@NickFerry]

thanks much!

[@danieljrod]

That's amazing

[@NickFerry]

Daniel Rodriguez Thank you Daniel I'm glad you liked it!

[@mfwoodshop]

cool, great job.

[@NickFerry]

Mike Fulton Thanks Mike

[@thakingpoo26]

Hey Nick, huge fan of your work. I could sit here for hours watching your videos and never get bored. Did you just use a level and sharpie to mark out your grout lines? Would chalk line work for that too?

[@NickFerry]

I did and yes a chalk line would work great as well - thanks much!

[@oostrixoo]

Awesome job. We work with foam all the time but never thought of using a heat gun. We definitely have trouble with seams. I am directing the King and I in November and wanted to create an 8' Buddha. I'm thinking of foam for this. Any idea? Thank you and again great work.

[@NickFerry]

oostrixoo should work - lots of sculpting

[@rhwoodshop]

Wow is all I got.

[@NickFerry]

Thanks, I just found out I will be doing another for Aladdin the musical. It will be more of a palace tower

[@adamroman8242]

+Rock-n H Woodshop I tried to come up with something else but I think you nailed it...wow.....great job Nick Ferry

[@NickFerry]

Adam Roman Thanks man, much appreciated

[@woody3307]

Beautiful work, Nick! How can you attach these to a 2x4 stud wall to use instead of sheetrock? Liquid Nails? I wonder if they will bow out or remain flat over time?

[@NickFerry]

Depends on the final usage - I wouldn’t use this for anything interior in a home or anything like that but as I show in the video, use a specific foam board adhesive so you don’t chemically melt the Styrofoam

[@cathybetter2245]

wonder if you can do that for outside your house?!

[@vDC2me]

thank you for the video. I am starting to get involved in my local high schools theatrical set design process. And we have a Cinderella like production coming up next year. Could you recommend a few larger-scale tools to purchase to work with fome

[@NickFerry]

Thanks - not sure what you mean by larger scale - how big is the set going to be? I've done sets 3 or 4 times this size with not much more than a miter saw and some hand tools

[@TomHowbridge]

Great

[@NickFerry]

Thanks Tom

[@ScottBier]

That looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. How thick is the polystyrene board you use?

[@NickFerry]

I forget how thick this one was - I said it in the video - 1.5” if I remember for a 7’ radius

[@suejohnson5682]

Brilliant, I was hoping to have a go at making realistic bricks but was asked if it would be a fire hazard. Do you coat it to protect against fire?

[@NickFerry]

Thanks - look into fire retardant coating from Rosco

[@noahhorsman1467]

What colors did you use on top of your base coat?

[@JimBeshears]

cool

[@NickFerry]

+Jim Beshears thanks much Jim! I love doing this

[@FloppyHatPhotos]

Great work there. Was that a set price or an hourly job? Could you give me an idea of what a job like that might cost to have done? Thnaks

[@NickFerry]

FloppyHatPhotos It would be extremely hard for me to say what you would pay to have this done. I do some projects for next to nothing because I like doing it, this was one of those cases. Theater set building is just a hobby of mine. If it is interesting to me or something creative I want to try I am more likely to do it on the cheap. Are you looking at having it done for a theater? If so, check for local talented people that would like to volunteer to help with the project. That route you would only be out materials and a few pizzas.

[@rogerainslie1869]

Hi Nick! Great video! (I know I'm commenting years after the fact, but still) Really impressive how good you make the styrofoam look. I'm directing a high school production of Romeo & Juliet this fall and was thinking I would love to have a "stone" wall like the one you made but that can "crumble" into pieces as the show progresses so that by the last act it is just rubble (but can be put back together for the next performance). Have you ever done anything like that? Any ideas on how it could be done? Regardless, thanks for these videos in general. Really magic watching you work.

[@NickFerry]

Thanks much - I have done similar but not that script - I’m a much better explainer through video than these comments - but I can steer you in a direction - the script “Noises Off” I’ve done a few times - it has sets that fall-apart and are resettable - nothing in the stone realm but perhaps some idea starters if your google-foo is decent - thanks again for the kind words ✌🏼

[@michaelflynn6178]

Nice Job you have a talent

[@NickFerry]

"A" talent yes, I just need to find it. Just kidding, thank you.

[@edwardjensen4073]

Looked great, good job. Kind of bummed the lighting guys came in after you and kind of hid a lot of the detail. Isn't it funny how lighting guys always seem to want to use more color then what's really needed? Probably looked great live though. Thank you for sharing these great ideas with all of us.

[@NickFerry]

Yes it can be - I didn’t know the lighting design going into it, so I may have been heavier in the details than needed - knowing me, I’d make it the same for a blackout scene lol

[@MegaMagiceman]

Looks awesome! How durable is that when accessible by people? Is the melted EPS a little bit harder than the sheet by itself? Looking to copy this look, but people will most likely be touching the wall and I don’t want it to fall apart.

[@NickFerry]

It is harder once melted - it creates a thin shell almost - it’s not super durable though - you’d want to add a covering if you want it super durable

[@fldramateacher4039]

I am a new drama teacher and love your instruction. Could you please clarify what you use as an adhesive? If we want to attach to plywood do you recommend any technigues? Thanks...sightly overwhelmed.

[@NickFerry]

+New Drama Teacher thanks - I have a link to the adhesive in this article - nickferry.com/2015/03/fixing-styrofoam-brick-why-am-i-here-ft18/ - using a caulkgun just put a few dabs on the plywood and apply the foam - any other questions let me know

[@fldramateacher4039]

+Nick Ferry Thank you. Sorry one last question what kind of foam do you use? I went to my local Home Depot and they didn't have many choices so they recommending ordering online. I noticed most of the foam has a plastic overlay...do you remove that before working? Sorry for all the questions...trying to build a set on a very limited budget :)

[@NickFerry]

FL Drama Teacher no worries - I get my foam without the film on it but if that's all you can get you normally can peel it off - eps or expanded poly styrene is what it's known as

[@alaysiakittrell3151]

Is there a way to harden the panels after or before they are painted?

[@NickFerry]

A bunch of good ways - Some lose the texture more than others but I’ve had good luck spraying PVA glue to create a skin of sorts

[@wendyannedarling7365]

Thanks, Nick! I may need to rethink a little on my tiny house. Damn... it would have looked cute though! :D I was hoping the heat treatment might give it enough of a 'crust', and be an extra layer of insulation. :D

[@NickFerry]

+Wendy Anne Darling yeah I hate to see it get all dinged up

[@wendyannedarling7365]

:D

[@jennifercarsley7279]

You did a great job! Where did you get the foam?

[@NickFerry]

thanks - from whichever home improvement store

[@SuperPeach33]

First of all, I just read all the comments and saw you replied to every one, BIG kudos for that! 2nd, how has your channel hidden from me for so long?? ( just found it and I'll be binge watching lol) Lastly, how long did this particular project take?

[@NickFerry]

Thanks, I try to get back to as many as I can - the community here motivates me a ton - from start to finish I'd say I had 40-60 hours into it - possibly a bit more

[@WoodsconsinWoodworking]

I have to say you are very talented! Very interesting . So what kind of foam board was used? Also what kind of paint was used? Excellent job

[@NickFerry]

Woodconsin Thanks. The foam was EPS and if I remember right, the paint was Rosco.

[@WoodsconsinWoodworking]

Nick Ferry great I'll check into this. It would be so cool to do the inside of my garage door since its not insulated. Get two great benifits. ..warmer and a awesome look. Thanks again

[@NickFerry]

Woodconsin No problem, rosco has fire retardant additives or if you're not worried about that any latex paint would be fine. Spraying it is best as it preserves the texture. Solvent based aerosols won't work, as they will chemically eat the foam. Good luck!

[@MichaelAngeluss]

Love the build! Where do you get your larger pieces of styrofoam from?

[@NickFerry]

Thanks much - Most large building supply houses have it

[@bitsRboolean]

How did you do the curved railing on a budget?

[@NickFerry]

+bitsRboolean I have some footage from about a year ago on another one I did - I am hoping to have a video out on that in the coming months

[@anthonyleone2979]

How did you get the styrofoam to wrap around the castle without snapping? Did you slice it vertically and patch it?

[@NickFerry]

As per mentioned in the video I bend it at that thickness and radius

[@DPLawlorFilms]

when you used your heat gun on the foam board, did it strengthen enough that you could walk on it? imagine it was used for a stone floor instead of a wall. Thoughts?

[@NickFerry]

It does form a little bit of a hard shell for a skin, however I don’t think it would be something you’d wanna walk on alone - try a cement top coat

[@Hobbs-el8iy]

Very cool - what type of paint gun are you using??

[@NickFerry]

Hobbs 11107 thanks - it is a Harbor Freight spray gun

[@CharlesDearingScroller]

Hey Nick. Excellent video. I'll admit I didn't go through all of the comments...and if you mentioned it in the video, I missed it.... Where can people I buy styrofoam/polystyrene (eps)?

[@NickFerry]

Charles Dearing I get it from home depot - but I'm sure most home stores have it - it has to be EPS for the heat gun thing to work though

[@jonmajors7106]

Nick, what kind of foam did you use that could bend like that?

[@NickFerry]

Expanded polystyrene

[@DBuzzardlips]

Does the heat gun work on the pink foam?

[@NickFerry]

+DBuzzardlips not really - it will melt and distort but the texture is super desirable to re-create a particular effect

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

Do you know how this material would hold up outside?

[@NickFerry]

Not very well

[@bananabeets]

This looks great. Is the foam expensive?

[@NickFerry]

Thanks - depends on where you live and “expensive” is subjective - by me it’s around $13 for a 4x8 sheet

[@mirsadmulahmetovic9033]

which spray paint did you use? Thank you!

[@NickFerry]

Water based - then used an HVLP sprayer

[@trumanwalkins]

hi there Nick, my name is Michael & i'm from Malaysia, is great looking at your video & the work is awesome! I'm working on an angry bird styrofoam sculpture to give my nephew a surprise, is done already but may i know what should i use in my finishing to make the sculpture look smooth & shining, also what kind of paint (name/brand of the paint) suitable for styrofoam sculpture? Cause i've try some of them but the sculpture is like melts on the surface. Hope is not too much to ask from you, thank you so much!!!

[@NickFerry]

Michael Chong The texture you start with would depend heavily on what styrofoam you used to make the bird. Either way I would use drywall joint compound as it is water based and won't melt foam. It isn't the most durable stuff but if it's not going to be handled much you should be fine. If you need something more durable you could try a product called Bondo. It is used in the automotive repair industry to fill in dings and dents. I have never used this product with styrofoam so test an area to make sure it doesn't melt the foam. Either one you use you're going to want to smooth it on over the styrofoam and sculpt it the best you can before it cures. Once cured Bondo would need to be sanded smooth. The advantage to using joint compound over Bondo is that you can smooth it out after it has dried with a damp rag as well as sand it if needed. Once you get it as smooth as you can go back and apply more compound to fill in any voids or holes. When you are satisfied with the texture spray it with a good primer (preferably sand-able). If you have covered the foam well enough with joint compound it won't matter what kind of paint you use. If you still have some foam showing use any water based paint and brush or roll it on. In either case you can then coat it with a gloss clear coat to your liking. Hope this helps.

[@trumanwalkins]

Nick Ferry Thank you so much Nick for the reply, i really learn a lot today, it's been a great pleasure to meet you, if there's any chances you're coming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, i'll be glad to bring you around, once again, thank you!

[@NickFerry]

Michael Chong No worries, If I'm ever in that part of the world I'll look you up. I've heard it is beautiful there. If you have any other questions let me know.

[@lbjackson5179]

what kind of paint did you use.

[@NickFerry]

Anything waterborne, A latex or similar

[@JaviUnboxed]

Great video. Only trouble is, I can't show it to the thespian director at my wife's school. I'm the prop master (by volunteer, not by choice) and I'd end up with a LOT more on my plate so I'm afraid I'll have to NEVER EVER speak of this again!

[@NickFerry]

Lol, the struggle is real - thanks Javi!

[@creepybunny255]

... you volunteered, but it wasn't a choice? I'm confused.

[@AdamHaas]

What kind of paint did you use? I've painted styrofoam before and it's melted.

[@NickFerry]

+Adam Haas water based

[@showman139]

Are there any books about what you do? Set design? Set building? Theatre something or other? I would greatly appreciate it.

[@NickFerry]

If there are, I'd like to know of them as well - it's a technique I came up with through trial and error - im sure more people have done it but I haven't seen any books on it - time for me to write a book I suppose - 😃

[@showman139]

Nick Ferry thank you for the reply. It show real confidence and passion for what you do.

[@DBCarpentryNV]

I'm assuming that you used Foam Insulation for the build. Did you have any problems removing the protective film and do you have any tips? Mine peeled off in different sections. Thanks! -Dylan

[@NickFerry]

+Dylan Bender eps (expanded poly styrene) - I get the kind without the liner or plastic film

[@DBCarpentryNV]

Where do you exactly buy that at?

[@NickFerry]

+Dylan Bender my local home depot has it - look for polystyrene - looks like little beads of pressed foam

[@dilbotmacguillacutty4849]

Dylan Bender I know how you feel! I found a foam manufacturer who sells off big bags of foam they can't normally sell due to minor differences in density... no film whatsoever! $30 for a bag of 2' x 4' x 2" pieces... equivalent to 4 full sized sheets. Google EPS foam supplier in your area.

[@jzfernandez7458]

hi nick!!! i was planning on trying this out and was wondering what kind of adhesive you used? and how thick of eps foam i would need to make a wishing well that is about 2 - 3 feet in diameter? also, because i've never worked with foam, what would I need to cut the foam? thanks for all your help.

[@NickFerry]

JZ Fernandez I was trying to make a video next week about it for you - the foam would have to be segmented or laminated for such a small diameter - I was hoping I could show that - do you have access to a table saw? - the adhesive I used is called "foam board adhesive" and comes on a caulk gun style tube

[@jzfernandez7458]

Nick Ferry really?? that would be awesome!! i don't need it for a while but i was planning on trying it out because this would be my first attempt at building anything!!! segmented or laminated? is that a type of foam? but no, i don't have access to a table saw. :(

[@NickFerry]

JZ Fernandez yeah I have been trying to do it foe a while now - fingers crossed that I can come up w/ something - segmented & laminated are not a type of foam but rather how you install it - segmented would be making angled cuts on the edge of vertical pieces of foam to for a close to circular shape - picture an octagon or decagon - laminated would be to use thinner pieces of foam to get the circular shape and wrapping it multiple times to achieve the desired thickness - do you have access to a jigsaw?

[@jzfernandez7458]

Nick Ferry oh man...sounds like this will be a project i won't be able to accomplish...your videos make it seem so easy!!! i don't know what a jigsaw is, so i'm going to say no.

[@NickFerry]

JZ Fernandez I'm trying to think of the simplest way to do it - you're going to need some sort of wood structure underneath - what do you have to cut the wood?

[@partnertuff]

I need to build a styrofoam version of Snow white's wishing well. (life size) what do you suggest I use to paint it? Everything I have used so far melts the foam. Thanks so much. I wish you were near to me so I could just pay you to make it for me! lol

[@NickFerry]

If the money is right I will travel anywhere, lol. Just about anything solvent based will melt the foam. I used a cheap HVLP sprayer from harbor freight with waterborne paint. Wait for the coupon and they are under $10. You will need an air compressor and you will want to turn down the pressure to eliminate aerosolizing the paint. If you see a cloud of paint develop then you are too high on pressure. You only want to "push" the paint onto the surface. Theater curtains are expensive and black shows everything. Once you get it done post a picture of it on my facebook page, I would love to see it. You can find the link on my website. My name then .com Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.

[@partnertuff]

Nick Ferry Thank you! I practically live at harbor freight so I'm sure I can get a sprayer. When you say waterborne paint, what does that mean? Acrylic?

[@NickFerry]

Acrylic would be fine or latex would work too. Basically anything that cleans with water.

[@partnertuff]

Nick Ferry Thank you so much!! I will definitely send a picture if it works out for me. I appreciate your talent so much. Thank you for sharing it!

[@jzfernandez7458]

i'm trying to make a wishing well for my daughter's birthday party, was wondering if you think the foam would work because i do want the stone/brick look.

[@jzfernandez7458]

Nick Ferry you did an amazing job by the way, so glad you put this together!!! :)

[@NickFerry]

JZ Fernandez wishing well would be smaller and have a smaller radius so this 1.5" or 2" would curve that small - it is available in 1/2" but I still think that radius would be too small - maybe if you segmented it - if you don't want the stone/brick look what do you want?

[@jzfernandez7458]

Nick Ferry i do want a stone look, i'm trying to have it resemble the wishing well in snow white...so i've been looking all over the place for ideas and tips.i'm hoping to make a well that is about 2 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter. thanks for all your ideas!!!

[@NickFerry]

JZ Fernandez in that case I would cut the foam into panels and wrap them into a circle and carve and shape from there - when are you looking at doing this?

[@jzfernandez7458]

Nick Ferry I don't need it done til late August, started planning because I'm not exactly talented like you!! so i really appreciate ALL your help!!! I've been researching and also found the liquid polyurethane...so I'm trying to figure out what would be the cheapest AND easiest way to do it...

[@FireMonkeGT4404]

Shrek ALL STAR LOL

[@NickFerry]

haha

[@bobbypauldo9230]

how can I get you to make my company logo?

[@NickFerry]

Out of foam?

[@bobbypauldo9230]

+Nick Ferry yes out of foam.3foot by 3 foot.

[@NickFerry]

Schedule wise I wouldn't be able to take on any new projects right now

[@bobbypauldo9230]

+Nick Ferry I need in about 3 months

[@bobbypauldo9230]

+Bobby Pauldo it's like the Warner Bros logo

[@goatboy8387]

is this how wwe made that event when seth rollins curb stomped dean on bricks (Styrofoam)

[@NickFerry]

Dalen Moore could very well be

[@bobbypauldo9230]

sorry yes. out of foam.