Painting on STYROFOAM with airbrushes question

Hi, I bought a Huey fuselage for my piccolo. I'd like to know what kind of paint is safe for styrofoam, and can be sprayed via micro airbrushes. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

hi tony
styro cups are a good cheap way to test a paint first , be sure to test it on a small spot inside the fuse first too , they make acrylic and i think polyurathane is safe for styro but forget laquer , whatever you use remember the lighter the coats the less problems you will have , good luck

if you are going to do multiple coats.... remember that it is best to put on other coats right before it dries ( you will need to know how long before the paint fully dries ) thats way you dont have to scuff the paint to put on other layers.

[rsc]

Good tip about practicing on a styrofoam cup. I tried the poly-u from a spray can, and it doesn't work unless it goes on extremely lightly and flashes immediately. The wet paint attacks the foam. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] It can be done, but it's hard to get an even coat while holding the can farther away than normal and using fast swipes with the spray. I am told that anything water based is good, but children's watercolors will not leave good coverage in my experience. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[mickhob]

Any paint can go on, ive used all sorts the key is to use a hairdryer spray very light coat the dry instant with the dryer (only on mild heat) and pritty much any paint can go on.keep an eye on how much you airbrush was weighing before you start and then weigh it again when finished, this will give you an idea on the weight of the cover.

[Bejay]

Tony, I've used waterbased acrylics to paint styrofoam and it can be sprayed in an airbrush. It tends to clog easily so thin it and mix it well. Don't try to spray it too dry ie not much paint and a lot of air, keep it balanced.

Water based paints for lexan R/C bodies works very well. Pactra Fascolors is what I use.