Comments on: Coating Foam http://www.props.eric-hart.com/how-to/coating-foam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coating-foam Making and finding props for theatre, film, and hobbies Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Eric Hart http://www.props.eric-hart.com/how-to/coating-foam/comment-page-1/#comment-406 Eric Hart Wed, 22 Sep 2010 02:35:28 +0000 http://www.props.eric-hart.com/?p=633#comment-406 It depends what you need the covering to accomplish. It depends what you need the covering to accomplish.

]]> By: John Musumeci http://www.props.eric-hart.com/how-to/coating-foam/comment-page-1/#comment-405 John Musumeci Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:22:56 +0000 http://www.props.eric-hart.com/?p=633#comment-405 I want to cover a styrofoam sculpture othe ststue of liberty what is the best application to use. I want to cover a styrofoam sculpture othe ststue of liberty what is the best application to use.

]]> By: Eric Hart http://www.props.eric-hart.com/how-to/coating-foam/comment-page-1/#comment-78 Eric Hart Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:20:26 +0000 http://www.props.eric-hart.com/?p=633#comment-78 Hi Mary, Thanks for all the great advice and suggestions! I had a question about the papier-mache if you didn't mind answering it. How many layers of paper are you talking about? It sounds like it would be superior in strength, but would require a lot more drying time, if multiple layers are involved. Do you use different methods depending on how much of a time crunch you are facing? Once again, thanks for taking the time to write so much good information! Hi Mary,
Thanks for all the great advice and suggestions! I had a question about the papier-mache if you didn’t mind answering it. How many layers of paper are you talking about? It sounds like it would be superior in strength, but would require a lot more drying time, if multiple layers are involved. Do you use different methods depending on how much of a time crunch you are facing?
Once again, thanks for taking the time to write so much good information!

]]> By: Mary Robinette Kowal http://www.props.eric-hart.com/how-to/coating-foam/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Mary Robinette Kowal Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:46:10 +0000 http://www.props.eric-hart.com/?p=633#comment-76 How waterproof does it need to be? Resistant to damp or does it actually get submerged. When I go over foam, I use paper-mache with a wheat based wallpaper paste. I find it gives me a smoother finished surface than cloth and the paper can be sanded, which cloth can't. Two things happen with cloth vs. paper. The paper expands slightly in the paste and as it dries sucks tight against the form. Cloth does this too, but not to as great a degree. The larger difference is in the edge of the pieces. Torn paper's deckled edge smooths down to the next layer better. The only times I go with cloth in the mix is as a layer between paper. I use it when I have the need for flexibility in the form. Otherwise, paper is more stable and durable. Also, glue, over the long haul, oxidizes and becomes brittle. This won't be an issue with the epoxy resin, but worth noting. In theory the glucose in the wheat paste binds with the cellulose in the paper, resulting in a stronger matrix. For getting to a porcelain finish I use a combination of vinyl Spackle and gesso. These are for puppets that I tour with so they get a fair amount of abuse and I've had fewer durability problems with them than with fiberglass. Papier-mache will flex under strain. The same weight in fiberglass breaks. How waterproof does it need to be? Resistant to damp or does it actually get submerged.

When I go over foam, I use paper-mache with a wheat based wallpaper paste. I find it gives me a smoother finished surface than cloth and the paper can be sanded, which cloth can’t. Two things happen with cloth vs. paper. The paper expands slightly in the paste and as it dries sucks tight against the form. Cloth does this too, but not to as great a degree. The larger difference is in the edge of the pieces. Torn paper’s deckled edge smooths down to the next layer better.

The only times I go with cloth in the mix is as a layer between paper. I use it when I have the need for flexibility in the form. Otherwise, paper is more stable and durable.

Also, glue, over the long haul, oxidizes and becomes brittle. This won’t be an issue with the epoxy resin, but worth noting. In theory the glucose in the wheat paste binds with the cellulose in the paper, resulting in a stronger matrix.

For getting to a porcelain finish I use a combination of vinyl Spackle and gesso. These are for puppets that I tour with so they get a fair amount of abuse and I’ve had fewer durability problems with them than with fiberglass. Papier-mache will flex under strain. The same weight in fiberglass breaks.

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