How to Paint Styrofoam? Use These Simple Steps

As an artist or even a seasoned do-it-yourself professional, you might encounter certain challenges that truly test your knowledge and limits of painting.

One of these difficulties you might come across is learning how to paint Styrofoam.

May it be in a round, square-shaped, or irregular form, there’s no denying that Styrofoam painting is one task you’ll have to get acquainted with sooner or later.

If you are familiar with this material, chances are you’re already dreading dealing with its rough and porous surface. As a basic element in many arts and crafts projects, Styrofoam can be used in many avenues.

However, as it comes in plain white, Styrofoam often requires a bit of paint to give it some pizzazz.

While its plain surface can be the perfect canvas for everything colorful, painting this canvas is trickier than you may imagine.

What Is Styrofoam?

Styrofoam is a trademarked brand of expanded polystyrene (EPS) from The Dow Chemical Company. Polystyrene can be used in different sectors and industries, such as food packaging businesses, as well as for insulation and even surfboards.

It is considered a versatile plastic product that can be used for a variety of consumer products. It is also highly regarded for its insulation and cushioning properties.

Why Paint on Styrofoam

Now that you know what Styrofoam is made of and its variety of uses, you might have an idea as to why it is used in arts and crafts projects.

Aside from its lightweight nature, it also comes in different shapes and sizes, making it perfect for a number of uses.

Painting Styrofoam: What You Need to Know

As mentioned, painting on this material can be extremely challenging due to its porous and rough-surfaced nature.

However, when armed with the right materials and the proper methods of painting, you can easily breeze through painting EPS.

Acrylic paint will adhere best to this material. A tad thicker and denser compared to other types of paint, acrylic, particularly water-based acrylic, is perfect for painting on Styrofoam primarily because it cracks less and is more elastic.

However, as a substitute, you may also use latex paints. Though latex paints generally require fewer layers or coats of paint to achieve the desired outcome, their longevity does not compare to acrylic.

Temperature and weather change factor in the longevity of latex paints, thus they become more fragile and flaky as time goes on.

Should you have projects stored in temperature-controlled settings or if you will be using Styrofoam for indoor-based projects, latex paints are fine to use.

Another essential tool you’ll need for a successful painting project is a foam brush to apply the acrylic or latex paint.

In the event you don’t have a foam brush on hand, you can still use a regular soft-bristled brush in its place, the paint just won’t go on as easily.

Last but not least, you will also need a primer. While this is not mandatory, using a primer prior to painting your Styrofoam will not only allow you to save paint and money but will also yield a smoother and more even outcome.

A word of warning: steer clear of spray paints as they can dissolve the Styrofoam.

While they seem like they may make your whole job easier and faster, their components and chemicals do not mesh well with that of EPS. This can result in the material disintegrating upon contact or dissolving the Styrofoam.

How to Paint Styrofoam

Once you have everything you need, it’s time to start painting. Apart from the essentials mentioned above, make sure that you also have old newspapers or magazines to protect the ground or surfaces you’ll be painting on.

To start, cover the surfaces in magazines or newspapers.

Using acrylic or latex primer, apply a smooth, thin coating on the Styrofoam.

Allow it to properly dry before putting on a second coat of primer as needed.

Do this with a foam brush.

If you lack a primer, you may also use a regular craft sealant. Priming its surfaces allows you to create a smoother base while filling in the cracks and uneven ridges within the Styrofoam.

Once the Styrofoam is fully dry, dip your foam brush into your acrylic or latex paint of choice. In small even strokes, go over the whole surface until you have coated everything.

You may also dab the foam brush to fully get the paint into the material. Allow it to dry before adding more paint or bringing other hues into the mix. This allows you to gauge the result.

The Bottom Line

Knowing how to properly apply paint on Styrofoam can help you save time and money. Now that you know how to use primers to paint Styrofoam, you can do your work with minimal issues and the best results.