Lazy old polystyrene question

[Axlbush]

Got hold of a piece of polystyrene packaging that I can really see as the basis for a quality piece of scenery. How do you guys treat it before painting it. Seen to remember from somewhere that its impossible to paint directly onto polystyrene so any tips would be appreciated. Sorry, this is probably a stupid question.

[Vodunius]

If you use spray paint the aerosol will dissolve* the polystyrene but thats easily fixed by painting watered down PVA glue over the thing before spraying. Paint applied with a brush goes on fine.

 

* not necessarily a bad thing however (so long as you don't inhale it), I once made some rather good burnt out buildings by spraying black onto polystyrene.

[KhorneHunter57x]

Spraypaint melts it (as does superglue). Most brush-on paint will be fine.

 

The most common way of 'treating' it is to use some normal interior brush-on paint (like the kind for walls). You can usually find some at hardware or paint stores, and if you ask for or find some that they messed up the color mixing, it will usually be cheaper. After the paint dries, feel free to use spraypaint to paint the scenery the color you want.

[Hemal]

Or WHite Glue coverage, this is a very good way to spray-paint proof as like the emulsion paint, it forms a barrier against the aerosol solvents.

[chromedog]

I just basecoat with housepaint.

 

We had the house interior repainted, and have around 20l of blue and 25l of pale grey (almost white).

 

I'm set for a few years yet.