How to Paint Foam Planes
- 1). Take a medium-grade sanding block (P320 grit) and run it over the surface of the foam plane to remove any bumps. Sand any indentations caused by the molding process until they are reduced to small chips. Apply a small quantity of spackle into the chips with a plastic spreader and leave to dry. Rub the spackle down with the sanding block until it is flush with the surface of the plane.
- 2). Use a can of compressed air to blow off any dust remnants. Apply thin layers of fiberglass cloth to the surface of the foam and use a small paintbrush to add water-based polyurethane coating over the top before leaving to dry. This will make the fiberglass cloth adhere to the foam and create a hard, sealed surface that creates a barrier between the foam and the paint. Use the sanding block to smooth the polyurethane coating once it has dried.
- 3). Create a mix of water-based polyurethane coating and talcum powder at a ratio of 1:1. Apply generously over the sealed fiberglass cloth with a plastic spreader to fill in any indentations and leave to dry before sanding again. Blow off any excessive dust with the canned air.
- 4). Take a foam brush and apply two full coats of latex house paint, allowing the first to dry before the second coat is added. This will act as a suitable primer. Leave to cure completely and sand down to a smooth finish with P800 grit wet-and-dry paper and a small quantity of water. Wipe dry and remove excess moisture with the can of compressed air.
- 5). Spray the foam plane in the color of your choice. An acrylic paint from any reputable modeling store will be ideal and should be thinned in accordance with the technical data sheet provided before it is added to the pot of the airbrush. Spray from a distance of 4 to 6 inches and allow for multiple coats to reduce the risk of transparency. Leave to dry overnight.
- 6). Apply two full coats of acrylic clear coat over the colored paint. Once again, the material must be activated and sprayed through the airbrush. The clear coat will seal in the color, provide a high-gloss finish and protect the integrity of the paint underneath. Leave to dry overnight before adding decals and transfers.
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