FOAM BOARD

[Big Daddy]

I'm new here and wanting to build a garage diorama using foam board i was wondering what would be the best paint to use and am having a hard time finding esso decals any suggestions thanks

[SuperStockAndy]

Probably enamel. I have a feeling that lacquer would melt the foam.

[JamesW]

If I remember correctly, someone here said ANY kind of paint directly on the foam will wrinkle it. I plan on "skinning" mine with plastruct sheet.

[Nitrozilla]

There is a diorama section in the forum if you scroll down a little on the main page.

[bigmikevee]

Hey Daryl,

Check out a restoration project by philbass in the diorama section, it will help you a lot, and if you like brick, well then, you are going to get brick....and a whole lot more.

Mike

[MikeMc]

Also large pieces of foam board can warp.....I use craft store acrylics.

[Dr. Cranky]

Yes, go with Gatorboard, and also use acrylics from the craft store for paint.

[bill w]

You can get foam board and gator board at your local art supply store.

Bill

[crazyjim]

I shot foam board with the paint that gives a stone and board bubbled. I think Ed Shaver said to varnish/shellac the foam board before painting.

[Big Daddy]

Thanks guy for all your input, think i'll stay away from foam

[sjordan2]

There is nothing wrong with fomecore board if you use artist's acrylics. Just like any other artist's painting surface for acrylics, it would be wise to coat it with gesso first. Gatorboard, on the other hand, has something of a plastic surface and in my experience has a striped pattern molded on it. For diorama purposes, using a sponge for acrylic paint application is also a good idea. Also, consider using styrene sheet for model railroad dioramas, available with a huge variety of brick, stone, and other patterns, which you can get from hobby shops.

Just experiment before you make a decision.

As for the Esso decals,download logos from Google, and print to size on decal paper.

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1355&bih=750&q=esso+logo&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&oq=esso+logo&aq=f&aqi=g3g-m1g-S4g-mS1&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=3327l5174l0l10404l9l9l0l0l0l0l203l1313l1.7.1l9l0

[Alyn]

The diorama guys use foam board all the time. It's great stuff for creating stone and masonary surfaces. You can pile it high with water based acrylics with no problem. I coat mine with artists gesso to seal the pores, then use both acrylics and artists oils in various ways. Never had a problem. The board I get at Hobby Lobby has a layer of paper on both sides which I usually remove. If you do remove it, do both sides or the foam board will warp.

[Mike Kucaba]

If I remember correctly, someone here said ANY kind of paint directly on the foam will wrinkle it. I plan on "skinning" mine with plastruct sheet.

Here's a link to some foam board already skinned with styrene.

http://www.foamboardsource.com/medium---heavy-duty-board--styrene-faced-foam-board--3-16--styrene-faced-foam-board.html

[RodneyBad]

The diorama guys use foam board all the time. It's great stuff for creating stone and masonary surfaces. You can pile it high with water based acrylics with no problem. I coat mine with artists gesso to seal the pores, then use both acrylics and artists oils in various ways. Never had a problem. The board I get at Hobby Lobby has a layer of paper on both sides which I usually remove. If you do remove it, do both sides or the foam board will warp.

That looks Great!!

[Big Daddy]

Thanks guys well i went out and bought a wack of styrene today now just looking at pictures of 50's gas stations trying to choose which one to do