Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Is there a spray primer or paint safe for foamcore? I'm not looking forward to base coating a fairly large foamcore building with a tank brush and mixed black and white acrylic.

I haven't used it, but apparently Krylon H2O doesn't melt foam. Using regular acrylics in an airbrush or spray gun works, but is more expensive to set up. I've used regular spray paints and just sprayed from a long distance so that the solvents have a chance to evaporate before hitting the model, but it's risky.

But if you can't find a spray paint that works, just go to the hardware or art supplies store and buy a bigger brush and some artists acrylics. Don't waste time on products designed to paint little miniatures if you need to cover large areas. Get a big brush and buy paint by the tube. For the cost of a single GW spray can you could get a big brush and a couple of 75ml tubes of acrylic. They're generally quite thick, so thin them down a bit with water.

If you give the edges a coat of wood glue you can make them tougher from wear and tear while also making sure the spray doesn't melt them.

If you mix a little paint in with the glue, it helps to see where the glue has covered, too (our wood glues tend to be white - regular pva).

That's a great tip actually. I'll certainly give that a try myself this eve with the ruins i'm working on. Thanks mate.

What about gesso?

Gesso also works well.

Available from any art supplies place (you'll find it near the canvasses, as it's used to 'treat' the canvas) and it comes in at least black and white.

Mel the terrain tutor had a vid about spraying foam with aerosol primers...
Its a while ago but I think the trick was to do it a fair distance away so the the solvent would evaporate In the air before hittingthe foam. There was a slight melting but nothing to worry about.
Having said that I’ve not tried it myself, usually grab a big brush and use a tester pot of house paint watered down and cover any foam if I’ve not put any texture down to seal it.

 chromedog wrote:
Gesso also works well.

Available from any art supplies place (you'll find it near the canvasses, as it's used to 'treat' the canvas) and it comes in at least black and white.

You can also find grey gesso in some art supply stores. It's not as cheap as craft acrylic, but loads cheaper than hobby paints, and will work well to seal foamcore.