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so I finally got around to getting a foam cutter and foam and put together an awesome little mountain range worth of hills. I just finished painting it up but I have noticed that the foam isn't very tough. I haven't added any flock yet but I was wondering if there was something like ard coat that I can coat my terrain with to protect it from chipping? is there such a thing that works for Styrofoam? what is its industry name because I am kind of limited with what I can find at Michaels.

another question if there is such a thing if applied will it make it shinny?

thanks in advance

You could hand seal it with PVA or some kinda paint. then spray the gak out of it with a mat varnish.

they will still eventually chip but at least a decent coat of varnish will keep it safe for a while.

I use a joint compound (it's used to plaster over the gaps/taped areas between sheets of plasterboard) in a thin coat (it's hard to sand when dry - so scrape it back before then).

Then paint and add glue and sand to the surface. Once it dries, it feels like rock, with the weight of foam.

Might be too late for this time around - but I actually like Foundation Paint...no, not the stuff GW used to sell...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/STYRO-Industries-5-Gal-Tanner-Tuff-II-Foundation-Coating-TTT/203009635

It is designed to be applied to ICF (insulated concrete forms) above grade to protect the Styrofoam from weed wackers, hail and anything else that will damage it. Some of it goes on smooth like spackle - some has a texture like stucco. Not the cheapest - but it covers a fair amount and is very durable when done.

They also make a couple of two part resins/epoxies designed to be used as a foam finish (Styropoxy, Styrospray...). Those are almost bulletproof in terms of durability (and really...could almost be made bulletproof). Fairly costly though - and requires mixing and curing issues (not a huge problem - just something to watch for).

Granted...you are done painting - so a lot of that is food for the next time around. This time - head to your local hardware store and pick up a gallon of floor finish polyurethane. Cover, dry, cover, dry, cover, dry... The floor finishes are more durable than standard varnishes, generally are priced a little cheaper too by volume. They will be shiney when dry...so you will need to apply a matte finish.

Be sure to cover all sides, as if you don't when the varnish cures, it will bend your foam into all sorts of shapes...none of which are straight.

There are also a couple other options designed specifically for foam.

http://wondertrail.com/hobby-supplies-en/model-glue-and-adhesives/hwf025-foam-coat-by-hot-wire-foam-factory.html

http://www.rosco.com/scenic/foamcoat.cfm

http://www.fxsupply.com/materials/foamcoat.html

You an always try a clear coat/matte spray, but you'll lose "flocking" detail if you do that and it'll still be subject to dings. I happen to think natural terrain looks OK with a bit of exposed "limestone" from he white stryofoam, but it'd be less cool in pink board

Neoprene rubber sheeting can also be used which feels classier than bubble wrap.
http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Fox-W1322-Anti-Vibration-24-Inch/product-reviews/B000OQTV2I/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

a thinned coat (1-4 water to glue) of PVA and then a coat of superglue.

If relying on "home found" materials I would use thinned PVA glue mixed with fine sand.

The professional products like the Foamcote and so on seem like a good option if you can get hold of them from a DIY store.

Use this:



Mix it thin and paint it on. Bare foam will be rock hard after a coat or two.

Honestly, once you add a coat of pva for flock, one or two layers of pva for added durability, and several layers of paint your foam should be well protected. Whenever making hills or such I fill joins with wall plaster, even things out with a bit of air drying clay or apoxie, etc. All of these steps will combine to help protect the foam. I've never had a problem with foam being damage. But then again I guess that depends on what type of foam you are using. I use blue or pink insulation foam. Pretty dense stuff. If you're using regular packing foam then it may be more apt to being damage. But still, if you even it out with a pit of wall plaster and sand that down, you should be fine. Lots of good advice from others, too.