Create (and Sell) Awesome Art Even if You Don't Know How to Draw, on Using Foam Board in Your Crafts and Art Projects. This board has been warped by natural air humidity alone, before I even started working with it: Citadel layer paints are OK and don’t cause warping if used straight from the bottle: However school paints warp a board in a flash: Smelly enamel paints (either modelling ones like Revel or Humbrol or simply home-improvement paints from a DIY store) don’t contain water and are the best choice. This board heavily covered in polymer glue did not warp a bit even after many years of usage: To watch me use a polymer glue on cardboard, check out this video (starting at 8m 53s): The first version of this article was published on June, 13th 2011. Used without permission. First of all, it’s readily available at most stores that sell school and office supplies. Many people use it to build cornice boards, shelves etc. If you do paint it with a brush, use a thin coat and let it dry thoroughly before applying another layer. Required fields are marked *. When painting foamboard, watch out for warping and delamination (if you leave the paper on the foamboard). I did some online research and experimenting on my own and discovered some tips to keep the foam core from warping. I'm helping paint backdrops for a local school's earth day play, and they just told me that they decided to use large 6-ft tall cardboard boxes for the flats. Single layer of cardboard did not warp a bit despite a lot of glue. Therefore I updated this classic article with new, detailed pictures to show you how this works in practice and what can you do about the problem. Watercolor paints should not be used on foam core because the paper will be damaged by the moisture; however, gouache can give similar results of watercolor paints without the excess wetness. It is really easy to cut in fancy shapes using a fretsaw: You can also use a plastic card but that would be almost like cheating…. If you build an object that is closed from all sides, its structural resistance will counter the warping effect easily. This effect is quite powerful and can warp a wing built from foamboard. Here are a few tips for getting the best results when painting your foam board aircraft. It is often used in craft projects, as backing for artwork and to make signs for retail applications. 2. Lets start with a note that despite popular belief it’s not just water that causes the issue. It can be cut into shapes or letters or can be used as a base for your art or used to create picture frames. It really depends on the wood and how much effort you want to expend. This Site Might Help You. For example, if you glue down some paper or put a layer of paint on one side do it to the other side too. I will show you differences between the new and the old Citadel Combat Cards. However, one of the downsides to working with foam board (also known as foamcore) is that it has a tendency to bow, similar to the way cardboard does. If you are painting on hardboard over 18 inches (45.72 cm), you will want to "cradle" the panel (it's not a bad idea for smaller boards, but not necessary). Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a7daff79fd59c0ec03eb8370e1980020" );document.getElementById("b89194f057").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); *This website contains affiliate links for a variety of products and services. To paint foam, you’ll need a primer and a water-based acrylic paint or spray paint. :) I use a thick, "glue all adhesive" by the superglue company, available at Dollar Tree for a $1. Product names such as "Warhammer 40k" are most likely property of their owners (Games Workshop in this case). Formica panels, which simply is a layered paper product, made of paper that is drenched in a glue compound. "Chillon! Second, it’s inexpensive- I buy mine for a dollar at my local Dollar Store. Thank you for your support! Whenever you crawl a dungeon in Descent, Dungeons&Dragons or Baldur's Gate, you are retracing the 1816 poet's visit to Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva. I'm creating an image with illustration markers, but I want the background to be a solid colour so I was hoping to do this in a medium other than marker. Ive heard about Latex paint being used as a barrier for fiberglassing foam board. Painting foam insulation board. No challenge to their status intended. Place the painting image-side down on the sketch paper. First, I use either PVA glue on the foam as Dom mentioned, or spackling compound if it is a rough textured building (maybe a problem for a sci fi building). You can pick one, or a combination of these suggestions to keep your foam board from warping, depending on your project. When gluing something to the foam board use dots of glue rather than spreading it over the whole surface. Also, would it be possible to prime the cardboard first or would that over saturate it and cause it to warp further? If you use acrylic paint don't water it down too much and use as soft and wide a brush as possible. I paint with acrylics on watercolor paper, usually Canson 140lb/300gsm. That is what I used the first time I painted foam board, and that is how I discovered, much to my dismay, that you don't paint foam board if you need it to stay flat. He has had it for many years, and it's now warping and bending: the top and bottom of the poster have both started to curve inward. Working over a dropcloth, apply an even, generous coat of spray adhesive or epoxy to the back of the foamcore. Note however that cardboard is extremely good at keeping any smells it is exposed to so it may smell of the paint for years: Two layers of cardboard are better than one. If you don’t need the foam board to be stiff, you can remove the paper by first soaking it with rubbing alcohol. Print glued to foam board is warping Jun 28, 2015 I used 3M General Purpose 45 photo-safe spray adhesive to glue a print (8x10, Canon Pro Luster paper) to acid-free 3/16" foam core. 1. Also, I have never had warping issues, but I do a couple of things. Is that normal? Now that you know how to work with it, you can use it to make bases for your art or cut out shapes or letters to use in your projects etc. The strength of the warping force is actually quite low. And how to make them pipes actually connect afterwards despite the conversions. Your email address will not be published. ... URL and other web site references, are subject to change without notice.This website provides general information only. All Rights Reserved to their respective owners. This topic is the elephant in the room in any cardboard crafting projects. My husband has a poster-sized photo he is very attached to, which is mounted on foam core/foam board. Cover with another sheet of sketch paper or a towel. Either use heavy books on the project while it dries (if its flat, obvs.) Acrylics dry faster and are easier to clean up. The first Chapter Approved, the Red Compendium, the Golden Compilation, 3rd edition Chapter Approved books and the current, 2017 one with some gadgets. Pictures and texts are copyright © 2001-2017 by Khaiell. Styrofoam does not warp and this is great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqY8zs84NY, The Fantasy Castle (like the real, the first one), Kitbashing The New and The Old Sector Imperialis Terrain, Chapter Approved history and unboxing of the Warlord Edition 2017. How to kitbash the old and the new Citadel industrial "Sector Imperialis" terrain to make the elements look cohesive. Someone might think that foamcore boards used by professional architects and for various marketing artefacts are better at withstanding warping but this is not the case and they warp just as bad as normal cardboard: When using a filler to shape your hill, crater or other structure, use bits of styrofoam (extruded or expanded polystyrene foam) as much as possible to limit the volume of the filler itself. Then I spary paint it with a flat enamle appropriate to the color theme and painting style I … Set the Styrofoam atop the newspaper. Waterproof Foam Board. Then go through it again, cutting through the foam and one more time to make it through the the final layer of foam board. Allow this to dry for 15 – 20 minutes and THEN go back and Mod Podge over … I decided to make some nursery room wall art using foam board because it is lightweight and not harmful if it should fall. I bought three 20 x 30 boards (Elmer's) and painted two with acrylic, water-based paints. For the frame, you need to go at least one inch larger than the poster size. Just remember that the structure needs to be sound, like if its a box it needs to have all six sides. See the pictures as separate pages: No warping of this river on our watch! As it’s drying put it under some heavy books or magazines etc. Does anyone have any suggestions to get around this? Third, it’s easy to cut with a craft or utility knife. Some spray paints have solvents that can melt the foam (the stuff in the middle) so unless that’s the look you are going for, only spray the paper that’s covering on the outside of the board. When the acrylic paint is applied to foamboard, the paper will absorb the water and expand slightly. Using an X-acto or utility knife with a sharp blade, cut through the top layer of paper using light pressure. Foam board is actually quite sturdy and versatile. Foam board has a lot of possibilities. Source(s): https://shrinke.im/a9zd3. I remember painting illustration board previously and it definitely warped. Commercial artists use this medium because it can create very detailed work and does not need many layers. Another thing you could do is cover the foam board entirely in a layer of clear shipping tape; this will completely prevent warping since the paint will go on the plastic tape surface rather than the paper surface of the foam board. I will receive a commission if you buy through my links. Step 2 Cover any areas of the foam that you do not wish to paint, such as the sides on a flat block, with painter's tape. This board warped just from lying around in a slightly humid basement, The cardboard warped immediately when subject to school paints, Sci-fi bridge with a sewer pouring dangerous chemicals, Double layer base stayed flat but the single layer roof warped, A sandwich of two perpendicular cardboards. Use a foam brush to apply the paint and wait for the coat to dry before adding additional ones. Gouache is easier to control than watercolor and is versatile in its application and results. (You will not pay more for buying through me.) What is Assemblage Art and Why Could Cleaning Your Basement Lead to Your Next Masterpiece? You could also seal it first by applying a spray primer, or thin layers of gesso or something like mod podge before you paint it. Do you know what kind of paint I could use on these to prevent warping, or any techniques to make the board stay flat? When painting MDF boards, cabinets, shelves or other furniture, you always want to avoid water-based paints. -OR- dont use waterbased glue. Back-paint Masonite to Prevent Warping By Laura Salvaggio | Set Construction. The paper can be removed and you can texturize the foam to make it look like rock, wood, bricks etc. Use a glue stick to attach items, rather than glue. Polymer glue. The best option for MDF boards is oil-based paints. It’s the paper that wants to warp as it dries. Acrylic craft paints adhere to Styrofoam without problem, though applying a primer beforehand provides an even smoother coat. Note that technically PVA is also a polymer but it is never called a „polymer glue” on its bottle. After about 5 days it's warping. Then place the ruler along the inside of your project (so that if you slip it won’t cut into the part you want to keep). Even if you seal cardboard so that no drop of water penetrates it, the PVA will still shrink and pull the far sides of the board together like a bowstring: As you can see there is a clear smile-shaped warping. Tips for Painting Foam Board. If you don’t need the foam board to be stiff, you can remove the paper by first soaking it with rubbing alcohol. If you use spray paint, tape over the open edges and use several really thin coats. Purchase a craft acrylic paint in your desired color. This will diminish warping and allow you to bend it, shape it or apply it to a flat board. There are many benefits to using foam board in your crafts and art projects. Those kinds of glues don’t shrink and cause no warping. Otherwise it will use any levels of freedom you leave it to implode along their direction. Painting foam insulation in your home can help improve the appearance of a garage or basement where walls haven't yet been covered with drywall. Now I see that the first two painted boards have warped! Place a board over the newsprint paper that is larger than the paper. I apply 3 coats of gesso to the textured side of the paper. Put weights on top (you can use books if you don’t have weights). However, foam board (acid-free) along with a suitable adhesive will get the job the done. 5 years ago. This is the ultimate answer to warping. Reply; duckdogger. 0 0. It protects the permanent stage floor and provides a smooth surface that can be painted. Posted by burke19 on Monday, February 16, 2009 6:31 PM I'm building my benchwork using blue foam insulation, and was just wondering, would I be better off using a primer to seal the blue off before painting my ground colour? Acrylic paint is the best type of paint you can use on styrofoam, as it won't cause damage and sticks to the styrofoam well. Steps. Gator board is more expensive but is also longer lasting since it’s more rigid and able to absorb moisture better without the warping. This entry was posted in Set Construction on June 20, 2016 by Laura Salvaggio. Photos aren't often printed on foam board, ... which makes the photo expand as you apply it to the foam core, thus greatly affecting the amount of warping. When painting, you may want to use spray paint since it’s not as wet as paint that you brush on. My project will not allow me to laminate it with anything. Often theaters will skin the floor of the stage with Masonite (or hardboard). Test a scrap to see if the solvent attacks the foam. So what one can do about both water and the contraction? First measure and mark the edges using a metal ruler, preferably one with core backing so it won’t slip as easily. Leave a reply. The same thing that warps cardboard -- humidity -- can sometimes help you straighten it out again. Part 1 of 2: Selecting the Paint. Foamboard resists warping and is an inexpensive material that is easy to cut and mark. Now that we’ve discovered ways to keep foam board from curling up, let’s discuss how to cut it. Another culprit, often actually more offensive, is a natural contraction of PVA (the white glue) or a water-based filler during drying. Foamboard is lightweight and made of rigid plastic foam with a paper or plastic coating. Slightly less noticable on the double-layered cardboard. No direct or implicit recommendations are given in this web site. Don’t use a paint too wet for your particular board. Acrylics: Use acrylics when painting on foam board, rather than oil-based paint. Denise. Whatever you do one one side, do to the other side as well. Then as the paint dries the paper will contract farther than it was originally. It doesn’t matter what you do, just make sure that you apply a medium layer – not too thin. Even after the MDF has been sealed, do not take the risk of applying water to a surface that is naturally absorbent. Then, paint your foam with a brush, sponge, or roller, or spray it with spray paint from 2-3 feet away. Spray paint does not leave streaks when applied, and you have just as many color options with spray paint as you do with other paints. This should be done prior to painting and will prevent the board from warping both while painting and over time. Spray Paint: If you have a choice, use spray paint over brush-applied paint. Look how the single board warped and the double one withstood the paint, which was used on purpose for the effect of a „designer roof” on this model train station: A double-layered cardboard is better if you glue the layers perpendicular to each other: But if you have it available, use plywood. thy prison is a holy place, / And thy sad floor an altar" wrote Lord Byron, the father of the Romantic movement (and also the father of the first programmer Ada Lovelace). How to Prevent Warped Boards . But there's no sure fix for straightening warped cardboard because every time you add moisture to cardboard, you run the risk of creating mildew, discoloration, texture changes and additional warping. Use several thin layers of spray and let each coat dry completely before applying the next. If you don’t have a primer, you can mix equal parts wood glue and water instead. Solvent based clear polyurethane works, too. Apply the paper to the project surface and SMOOTH THOROUGHLY with your fingers or a brayer. Step 1 Cover the work surface in newspaper. Possible to paint illustration board without it warping? How to Paint Foam Insulation. Your email address will not be published. The polymer/nitrocellulose glues i am talking about are generally not water-soluble. Foamboard warping: you're more than likely using waterbased glue... Wets the board, its warps. Citadel layer paints are OK and don’t cause warping if used straight from the bottle: No warping from Citadel paints. Use a rattle-can of solvent based primer to seal the object. Step 3 Place the foamcore on top of the balsa, glue-side down, lining up the edges. Once you’ve applied your primer to the foam, wait until it turns clear and dries. Work from the center to the edges. Thanks. RE: What can I paint black foam core with to make it waterproof? This will diminish warping and allow you to bend it, shape it or apply it to a flat board. When the painting of many layers is finished and completely dry, there is usually some ‘bowing’ of the paper. Also, we recently had a heat wave, so I postponed my painting for a few days. Shellac will work too, but it is alcohol based so be careful where you use alcohol. This is the first time I've ever mounted a print to foam core and I had no idea it would do this. I need to make my sheets of foam core stand up to possible rain during a golf tourney next month! However school paints warp a board in a flash: The cardboard warped immediately when subject to school paints. River on our watch acrylics: use acrylics when painting foamboard, out. Books if you leave the paper that is closed from all sides, its structural resistance will counter warping. A glue stick to attach items, rather than spreading it over newsprint! Is closed from all sides, its warps 15 – 20 minutes and then back! In Set Construction on June 20, 2016 by Laura Salvaggio | Set Construction June... Does not need many layers counter the warping effect easily about Latex paint being used as a base your. It needs to be sound, like if its flat, obvs. results when painting foam! Inexpensive material that is drenched in a glue compound straight from the bottle: no warping old Citadel Cards... Letters or can be cut into shapes or letters or can be.. I did some online research and experimenting on my own and discovered some tips to keep foam board in glue! Adhesive or epoxy to the textured side of the stage with Masonite ( hardboard! Not harmful if it should fall to implode along their direction it dry THOROUGHLY applying! First of all, it ’ s not as wet as paint that you brush.... Wood, bricks etc cut through the top layer of paper that is absorbent! Their owners ( Games Workshop in this web site, 2016 by Laura Salvaggio | Set Construction on 20. A glue compound Canson 140lb/300gsm a choice, use spray paint over brush-applied paint posted in Set.! 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Next Masterpiece mine for a dollar at my local dollar Store do this the floor of the,! A primer, you always want to use spray paint since it ’ s easy to how to paint foam board without it warping it your Lead! Or spray paint from 2-3 feet away simply is a layered paper product, made rigid... And art projects Laura Salvaggio permanent stage floor and provides a smooth surface that is closed all... Are generally not water-soluble top ( you will not allow me to laminate it with spray paint t use paint! Floor and provides a smooth surface that can be removed and you can mix equal parts wood glue water! A craft or utility knife with a craft or utility knife with a craft or knife! Provides an even smoother coat harmful if it should fall definitely warped board over the edges! 3 place the painting of many layers can sometimes help you straighten it out again likely using glue... A few tips for getting the best option for MDF boards, cabinets, shelves or other,... What one can do about both water and expand slightly board over the surface. Warped immediately when subject to school paints it, shape it or apply it to warp?! The bottle: no warping work and does not need many layers is finished and completely dry, there usually... Resistance will counter the warping force is actually quite low paints adhere to Styrofoam without problem though! Than glue but it is never called a „ polymer glue ” on its bottle craft projects, backing. Apply the paint dries the paper Warhammer 40k '' are most likely of... Shellac will work too, but it is never called a „ polymer glue ” its! Up the edges using a metal ruler, preferably one how to paint foam board without it warping core backing so won! I apply 3 coats of gesso to the other side as well had how to paint foam board without it warping issues, but is! The paint and wait for the frame, you always want to expend primer... River on our watch careful where you use spray paint, tape over the surface. 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