want to make studio props out of styrophome??

[p.chura]

Any one know of where to get materials to make Styrofoam props for studio. Any one know of a forum or a place to get Ideas?? Paint,sprays etc?

[JohnC]

I think we need more info. What sort of props? What sizes? I'm not sure what paints work on styrofoam without eating through it, probably water-based. For large pieces I've found that electric kitchen knifes work well for the rough cuts before doing final shaping and smoothing.

[p.chura]

What I am really wanting to build is several Pieces that I can arrange in the studio 6x8 with arched doorway 30 " opening. Steps to have seniors set on. 2ft wide x four steps. Columns etc. Looking to buy Styrofoam blocks, Paint, sealer. etc. any help would be appreciated.
Phil

[cyclohexane]

Trying to sculpt blocks of styrofoam is pretty nasty. I would recommend against doing it. Blocks of styrofoam shed a great deal from simply being handled, which wold make a huge mess, and it's probably not too good for your lungs when inhaled either.

[JohnC]

Besides the issues mentioned by Michael, most styrofoam I've seen is too fragile to be used as steps or posing blocks. People sitting on them or leaning on them will put dents in them. Those sort of props are usually plastic or cement.

Anything I've done like that has been for ornamental use (a backdrop, a wall hanging, etc.).

[kgphoto]

Actually many sit able props are made of Styrofoam, but remember there are different types of Styrofoam. Bottom line is you should just buy the ready made ones. To do the job effectively you will spend more in materials, machines and time before you ever got a good result. It is more specialized than you think.

[Benji]

As usual, I'm going to be the black sheep. I have built several styrofoam props and sets and I am very happy with them. If properly coated you can even stand on them. The gear set below is made of styrofoam. The truss in the first image and the "I" beams in the second image are made of plywood. The third image has styrofoam blocks on the wall.

I used 4 x 8 sheets of white styrofoam and cut them with an electric meat carving knife. I painted them with latex house paint. If I want to paint them with mineral based paints I can now do that as the latex serves as a primer and seals the styrofoam so lacquer or enamel paints won't damage them.

Benji

[Benji]

I just remembered I also have an image with a set of steps I built. I used the green styrofoam for these as it is a little more dense (and twice the price!) The basic frame work is made of 1/4 inch thick plywood then I glued the styrofoam onto it. I then used a layer of fiberglass screen over the styrofoam and then I coated the whole shebang with several coatings of polymer cement. Finally I painted them!

The other image is of another of my homemade sets. The bricks are the 1/2 inch thick ones I got at Lowes, the door is 1/4 inch luan plywood and the door casing is made up of crown moldings. The hand rail is 3/4 inch plywood and 1 1/2 PVC pipe.

Benji

[jazzology]

I have used Styrofoam in the Television Studio for the type stuff Benji has done... Those gears look great.

My favorite is the "brick wall" effect using the blue foam exterior insulation boards. It's done by masking the seam lines with tape, followed by the brick paint (latex), now remove the masking tape... and then the "trick"... spray the lines with contact cement or something like Scotch77. The glue eats away a bit of the foam leaving very realistic mortar lines. a little grey touch up paint and voila... a brick wall, that weighs 10lbs


Big Caveat: Styrofoam tends to become charged with static electricity...particles will adhere to everything (particularly lenses)...
Let me tell you about the beautiful snow I made for a Christmas Special Oy Cra*

also, some scenic artists will cut foam with a hot wire knife. Some foam products produce toxic fumes when burnt so that's not always a good idea... the scenic artists that make Mardi Gras Floats use a lot of styro sculpted with rasps... these become plugs for mold making. There are no rules with this stuff, just a couple cautions... Make a mess, Have Fun!

jeff

[DeanP]

Being a firefighter, only thing I would add is to treat things with a fire-retardant. Stryrofoam does produce alot of smoke and fumes, some burn very rapidly. There is always the chance of a flash blowing or being tipped over and causing the spark needed to catch something on fire. Seeing plenty of fires in my career, I tend to think safety. Just my $0.02

Dean

[Mark McCall]

Foamology.com

[Benji]

Mark,

I joined Foamology, and it was free! But it appears I will have to spend some hard earned $$$ if I want to get any information from them as to how to actually do anything with foam.

I am willing to share any of my techniques for free.

Benji

[jazzology]

a Forum on sculpting... did a search for "styrofoam"

Sculpture Community - Sculpture.net - Search Results

[Benji]

While I have not tried this stuff, it claims to be a hard coating for styrofoam Steve's Coating for Styrofoam it is about $55.00 per gallon.

Several years ago I bought a five gallon bucket of polymer cement ($75.00 I think) from a building supply house and it worked quite well, but I had practically bribe the salesman in order to buy some. In fact I had to sign a form that stated I would not sue them if the building I was applying it to rotted away after a few years. That was even after I told the guy I was using it indoors on a photographic prop. I guess this stuff is so waterproof that buildings coated with it were rotting from within since they couldn't breathe. I remember there was a 20/20 type TV expose` on it back in the early 1990's.
Since it is concrete, it is very hard, very durable, and wore like stone

Benji

[AMS2001]

I am getting ready to try some of this, Im willing to give it a shot compared to the pricey sets back 2 back has. Would this stuff be able to be set up outdoors with some kind of coating on it? I need a few sets outdoors as well as indoors. How did you make the step railings curve?

[Benji]

Originally Posted by AMS2001

I am getting ready to try some of this, Im willing to give it a shot compared to the pricey sets back 2 back has. Would this stuff be able to be set up outdoors with some kind of coating on it? I need a few sets outdoors as well as indoors. How did you make the step railings curve?

The railing top and bottom are plywood cut into a curve. The pillars are 3/4 x 3/4 wood with PVC pipe cut into coins as the little circles inside of them.

The aforementioned polymer cement is tough as nails and will protect this stuff outdoors.

Ben

[AMS2001]

you did a awesome job!!Anymore photos you have to share I would love to see them