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Mannahnin wrote:Using textured paint or just mixing sand directly with your paint seems like it would be a big time saver.

I've used the mix-sand-with-paint method several times and it works a charm. Five years later, no chips, no need to redo it. Also, remember you're going to be playing a game where some models aren't wel balanced. Over-texturing the game surface leads to wobbly model syndrome. You're not making a static model railroad layout, you're making a game surface, so playability should be a primary concern.

The glue creates a buffer between the board and any solvents that could melt the material.

 eldartau1987 wrote:
The glue creates a buffer between the board and any solvents that could melt the material.

I'm not aware of anything in latex paint that would react with XPS. I of course will be doing 2 test tiles before deciding on a final method, just in case.

Me either but I would be the one to find out that there is something.

Foam is usually porus. The glue seals it. The glue also prevents the paint from dissolving the foam.

You will be very sad if you don't coat the foam in glue first.

Textured spray paint.

 psychadelicmime wrote:
Textured spray paint.

Spray paint will eat XPS or EPS, so no.

That said, I have considered using the orange peel wall treatment which comes in a spray can, not sure if it would react badly or not.

 Breotan wrote:
Foam is usually porus. The glue seals it. The glue also prevents the paint from dissolving the foam.

You will be very sad if you don't coat the foam in glue first.

If you use Latex paint (doesn't melt foam) and seal with a water based varnish/sealer (also doesn't melt foam) then there's no risk of melting the foam.

It's never a bad idea to paint glue over foam for strength, but it's not necessary for protecting against melting if you're only using latex and water based products.

Any product in an aerosol can is potentially dangerous, because it is not the paint but the solvent that eats the foam. Check the can, if it does not specifically say that it is water-based or designed for foam, make sure you test it first.

I use latex paints by hand whenever possible. If I have to spray, I coat it in latex first. That, or I avoid foam. I have used Krylon's H2O series of spray paints, they are decent. Annoying to use, but passable.