How to paint foam products: methods and tips

Nowadays, when decorating premises, such a convenient, lightweight and inexpensive material as polystyrene is often used. Cornices, various elements, baguettes, picture frames, skirting boards, segments of ceiling tiles, various decorative details, for example, large interior letters, are made of it. Since the natural color of the foam is white, it is often necessary to color it. In the article we will tell you how to paint the foam yourself at home.

Why paint polystyrene

Since the natural color of the foam is white, in its usual form it can fit into very limited interiors. Probably only those that are decorated in an ultra-urban urban style. However, since polystyrene is a material that has significant advantages due to its convenience, lightness and practicality, do not deprive it of other interior directions. In most cases, it is necessary that the material is painted - so it can best fit into the design of the room.

In addition, the foam itself is not a very durable material. To give it greater resistance to external conditions, including increased humidity, it is best to paint it. A layer of paint serves as a protection for fragile tiles, cornice or baguette, will protect them from external adverse effects.

Often unprotected, “bare” polystyrene foam may turn yellow, it is also afraid of damp rooms, so painting the ceiling tile of polystyrene foam, like other interior details from this material, is the best solution in most cases. Thus, the material will last much longer.

For foam skirting boards, however, as in those cases when they are made of wood, staining is sometimes the only way to get a solid look. Often after installation of skirting boards ugly joints are formed. They can only be removed with putty and subsequent painting around the entire perimeter.

Quality requirements

Polyfoam is a wonderful material that is widely used for the construction and decoration of buildings. Also elements: foam letters, tile details, cornices - are used in interior decoration. It is an inexpensive and practical material, lightweight and easy to handle. Often, foam slabs are made of ceiling plates, which, after installation, are able to please the eye and serve for a long time perfectly.

Foam finish gives the room a neat and aesthetic appearance in a short time. Moreover, such decoration is inexpensive, and you can do it yourself: to paint the ceiling plinth made of polystyrene, you do not need to invite a hired specialist finisher.

What characteristics should the polystyrene meet so that it can be painted without fear.

Foam baseboards, tile elements, letters, cornice or baguette must be made of a material with a high degree of moisture resistance. Otherwise, the foam will not be able to withstand staining.

Dense polystyrene, which is not so easy to break, is best for painting. Loose, porous material is not suitable for this purpose.

The foam should be resistant to chemicals, and not too afraid of mechanical damage. Sometimes, to paint the baseboard or ceiling, you need to use a paint containing aggressive components.The material must withstand.

Paint selection

What coloring composition to stop on - consider this important issue.

A great solution for processing foam parts is the choice of water-based or acrylic paints. They are odorless, durable, excellent “behave” in operation, have a large and beautiful palette of shades. Let us consider in more detail their advantages and disadvantages.

Water-based paint

It is odorless, which means it can be used indoors even in winter with the windows closed. The coloring water-emulsion composition has excellent vapor permeability, which means that a foam plinth or curb will not interfere with normal moisture exchange in the room. The paint is elementary easy to use and has an inexpensive cost.

As for the disadvantages, in order to process the foam with this paint, the latter must be very waterproof and dense. Otherwise, it will not withstand the effects of a water-based composition, but if you are considering how to paint a ceiling plinth, a water based paint will do.

Acrylic

This option is convenient because acrylic paint can be used under any external conditions, even in a dusty, humid or cold room. Acrylic paint is not afraid of such conditions, while retaining all its technical and decorative characteristics. It can also cover segments of ceiling tiles, and an elegant decorative baguette.

The paint is easy to use, it has no smell, it has a huge range of shades. There is also the opportunity to create your own colors using tinting, achieving the desired result.

The disadvantages of acrylic painting composition include a rather expensive price, not too high resistance and durability.

Advice

If you want to paint decorative small foam trinkets, then ordinary art gouache and the same brushes from the stationery store are best for this purpose.

In order to paint the plinth or cornices, it is better to use a water-based paint. But for outdoor work with polystyrene, acrylic compounds are better suited.

How to paint

Some useful tips for applying paint to foam elements.

The first step is to clean the surface of dust, dirt and other debris. This should be done only with a dry rag, do not use wet cleaning.

Mix the paint thoroughly, bringing it to a uniform state - in this case there will be no color transitions and stains on the finished product.

If necessary, you can use a special solvent suitable for this type of paint. However, be careful - not every foam can withstand the aggressive effects of solvents. Polyfoam cannot be painted with those compounds that contain organic solvents: acetone, acetate, toluene.

In the process of staining, it is necessary to drive in one direction with a brush - this way there will be no stains on the foam. Apply paint on the foam from top to bottom - this will avoid the appearance of ugly smudges.

If the parts are voluminous and large, for example, letters made of polystyrene foam - it is better to paint them from the spray gun. This device is also convenient to use in the case when the foam plastic part of a tile, letters or baguette has a lot of decor, curls, some other complex elements that are inconvenient to paint with a regular brush.

If you want to achieve a bright and deep color, then after drying the first layer you can paint one or more times.