On my former layout, I painted my foam that covered the layout, with latex paint. As time went on, it didn't really harden. I could set things down on it and they would stick, very slightly however.
I now want to paint a base color of my switching layout, also covered in blue foam, and wonder what paint I should use.
73
Bruce in the Peg
Acrylics have worked well for me in tha past on extruded foam. It may take a couple of coats to hide the blue or pink, but it's guaranteed to dry.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I had no trouble using inexpensive interrior latex paint over the foam. I painted a square foot or two, then added some ground foam. Another section, more foam. Added more foam and texture later using diluted white glue and wet water. I never did leave "just painted" surfaces, they all got foam before it dried, saved me gluing down one layer of ground foam.
Good luck,
Richard
You definately had some issues w/ the paint, poor quality, may have froze, vehicle and/ or the driers could have separated not mixed properly etc. Some of the early acylics did have some drying issues. I has many bad experiences w/ a few "off" brands of interior gloss and semi-gloss that would almost remain sticky even though dry to the touch. Painted cabinetr that even after 1 year the doors would have a "stick" to them in humid weather. Most of these issues are all but history in the paint manufacturing even after the problems of the VOC regs. Any acrylic paint regardless of it's actual quality these days will dry, the foam base has nothing to do w/ it. Paint will even eventually dry "hard" even in a pan or the can w/ no lid sealing it. Paint away, you shouldn't have any problems like in the past.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
I've used latex paint on the pink foam and it dries fine. Those little "sample" jars go a long way. PS don't spray Rustoleum directly on the foam, even Painter's Touch. Eats it a little.
Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!
I had no problem painting over blue or pink foam. I used flat latex house paint, acrylics, semi-gloss latex, it all worked great. I think you must have had issues with the paint you were using. Paint away!
Mike.
My You Tube
There was a problem with your paint or the conditions in your layout area. I've been using cheap latex paint on white foam for decades and never had that sort of problem with it.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
ho modern modelerPS don't spray Rustoleum directly on the foam, even Painter's Touch. Eats it a little.
Sometimes, that's a feature, not a bug.
The eroded green/brown hills were intentionally done with spray paint. I even roughed up the surface of the foam some to help it along. Came out OK, but probably could have gone lighter on the pre-roughing.
I used the RustO Painter's Touch and Krylon to do the backmost green hills (in profile) and other foam backdrops. The trick is to prime it first. I used BullsEye 1-2-3, which is a great quick-drying water-based primer.
A trip to an Ace Hardware store, and I had a gallon of flat interior paint that had been a mismatch, and I got it for $5. That gallon painted almost all of my 27x18' foot layout.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Hi : Being new doesn't mean I can't be helpful . I generally use an acrylic spray paint made to use on foam products .if you are looking to base coaat for setup and beginning your scenics Use this . Now , that said I get my products at Hobby Lobby cause it's closest and the products they sell can be used on model railroads.
This may be a crossover for you .The Dollhouse builders sometimes use very thin foam for structures and this is the material they use Craft Acrylics .There's so many names I wont start there .I hope this helps you