Can you paint/spray foamboard ?

[ras2a]

I have managed to source some foam board in the UK for use as my TV bezel.  The place in question only sells it in white though (ARRGH).  Well, they can get hold of black but it's a minimum order of like 10 sheets.   Just wondering if anyone has successfully painted or sprayed white foam board for use as a bezel etc?

thanks a lot

[teef two]

Suggest you test a piece of it and check it doesn't melt!


Edit added - From a quick search on google I have found the statement "poster color, latex, oil base and acrylics are suggested" with regard to painting foam board

BTW was in Maplins today and they have little polishing wheels for dremmel tools - thought you'd like to know regarding your trackball hole issue.

[ras2a]

I would imagine acrylics as they are flexible paints, right?  Thanks for that...also cheers for the info on the polishing wheel.  Maplins...the one in Manchester ?  Oxford road is it?

nice one teef

[quarterback]

I have managed to source some foam board in the UK for use as my TV bezel.

[ras2a]

well I've phoned about 12 shops today in my local town and everywhere I phoned either only had set sizes (not big enough for me) and/or they only did it in white.

Crap I know.... I have a few more places left to call....gonna try some 'signmakers', maybe I'll have better luck with them.  Obviously I want to source black if possible first....

cheers

[ras2a]

Aha, just been in contact with a signmakers and they have a spare piece in stock (gloss black) @ 29" x 26.5" (ample)...however he said it's 'foamex' board....what the hell is that?  I assume it's similar as I asked for foamboard.  Anyone shed any light on this ?

thanks

Craig

[quarterback]

Foamex is just a brand name, but they also make non-foam core things, so it's hard to know.

This link : http://www.colab.com/finishing/mounting.html describes "foamex" as a "smooth plastic sheet"

Other pages say that Foamex is a kind of cushioning foam used for furniture.

And this page says Foamex International is a worldwide producer of foamed plastics, cushioning foam, closed cell foam, acoustic foam and polyurethane foam for the housing and automotive industries..

[ras2a]

Bloody ell...lol   Well I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I pick it up, not bad for a tenner I suppose!  As long as it's not that plastic sheet stuff that's corrugated inside

[Oddfeld]

I'm guessing this is the same stuff as Kappa board,  which is used in just about every design studio in the country for mounting pages of artwork to before sticking them in a big portfolio case to take them round to client presentations.

It's most commonly available in black (although the foam core itself, which you'll see on cut edges, is white - it's basically a layer of styrofoam sanwiched between two sheets of card).

You should be able to get it from any art supply shop.

[ras2a]

hmm...well I guess I can live with that, much easier to colour just the 'visible' edge as opposed to painting an entire sheet.  Will let you guys know tomorrow and will post a pic just so you all know what it looks like

thanks folks

[teef two]

I would imagine acrylics as they are flexible paints, right?

[ras2a]

I would imagine acrylics as they are flexible paints, right?  Thanks for that...also cheers for the info on the polishing wheel.  Maplins...the one in Manchester ?  Oxford road is it?

nice one teef

ras - No, one of the several in London. Took a trip to Tottenham Court Road, a place a technofreak should never go, not with a loaded credit card anyway!

ah, with ya...no worries.  I imagine they all stock the same products tho eh?

[Chris]

When you cut it, use the sharpest blade you can find!  That foam will tear and shred in a heartbeat.  I ended up having to cover my cut edges with black tape.

[ras2a]

When you cut it, use the sharpest blade you can find!  That foam will tear and shred in a heartbeat.  I ended up having to cover my cut edges with black tape.

Well I have a swan morton scalpel from my days of model-making.  Also still have about 10 foil sealed blades.  That thing is the SHARPEST blade I've EVER used....was brilliant for trimming flash from the runners   Hopefully it should be like a knife through butter

[ras2a]

Just spoke to someone who says 'foamex' is more like a PVC board and has to be cut with a saw etc.  i.e. can't be simply cut with a sharp knife.

EDIT:  Sod it, I'll pick a piece of 40" x 30" white foamboard up this weekend and spray it black.  I have some car spray paing that I can use.  If I use light coats (and build up) then I can't see there being a problem with it being saturated.  Spray dries a lot quicker than brush painting...

Craig