Foam Numbers

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Greasetattoo
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Foam Numbers

Post by Greasetattoo »

Here are some house numbers I cut, yesterday.
For my father's house.

I used the NEW raised 3D prism toolpath in Version 2.
Very cool...

I sprayed them with clear lacquer, the lacquer kinda melted the foam.
But, it worked out ok, got rid of all the fuzzies!
Attachments
foamnumbers.jpg

cabnet636
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by cabnet636 »

oh yea laquer melts foam! plastic too!

jim
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com
CAMaster ATC 508 24/7 http://dropc.am/p/EJaKyl

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RoutnAbout
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by RoutnAbout »

Don't you like that feeling when your project changes right in front of your eyes???
Isn't that address supposed to be 254???
Roll of Honor <-- Never Forget
________
Don

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Greasetattoo
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by Greasetattoo »

With the melting of the foam.
I painted the letters, now they kinda look like wood grain.
Work out well!

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Larry Elliott
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by Larry Elliott »

You can texture the foam with an airbrush or touch-up sprayer and lacquer thinner. If you play with the amount of thinner you spray on then use just the air to evaporate it before it eats too deep into the surface you can create some interesting texture. I've found a lot of the foam has a "grain" to it running lengthwise on the sheet. You can even use vinyl lettering as a mask and melt the foam away from around it leaving raised letters that looks similar to sandblasting. Great for temporary use outside or lasts forever indoors, economical, fast and fun.
Larry,,,,
Elliott Sign & Design
http://www.elliott-design.net
West Tennessee, USA

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Greasetattoo
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by Greasetattoo »

Hey Larry,
Welcome to the forum...

Yes, the foam has kinda a grain.
Thanks for all the pointers and ideas..

I think after I have it all painted, you won't be able to tell the difference.

How does this foam hold up to the outdoors?
Anyone know?

I know, I had a few 2' x 8' pieces outside.
And it looks like it held up pretty good to the Minnesota winters.
That is where I got the foam to cut the numbers.

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Nice Carvings
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by Nice Carvings »

Hey grease, those are nice! I would guess that they would last quite awhile outside. If they do fail you could just try again, that stuff is cheap enough. :P I would guess they would last for years and years though, depending on how well the finish you apply holds up.

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Larry Elliott
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by Larry Elliott »

As someone pointed out in another post, anything can be made weatherproof with the right finish.
A couple good coats of latex primer and then a couple good coats of either latex or enamel should give you 3 to 5 years outside in the most harsh environments. The edges are the most vulnerable, especially on the tops, sun breaks down the finish and then frost starts playing a big part on the deterioration of the foam. For letters or signs to last they must be sealed with exterior products, we use a two part urethane spray on finish that takes a special spray gun that holds two cannisters of the coatings and mixes them as they come through a spiral nozzle. I don't know if it's proper to mention brand names here but anyone interested can email me or you can Google up 'urethane finishing' for several different mfgs. The finish can be built up in coats, we normally use 4 to 6 mil and then finish with an exterior latex color, this gives EPS or styrofoam a hard coat that will last for years and would just need a repaint when the paint starts showing age. There are also some brush on coatings that will work almost as well if you don't mind the brush marks or are willing to do some sanding. There are a couple jobs on my website, both interior and exterior done with the EPS foam and two part urethane, scroll down the home page a ways to the pics and descriptions.

Thanks,
Larry,,,,
Elliott Sign & Design
http://www.elliott-design.net
West Tennessee, USA

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Greasetattoo
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by Greasetattoo »

Hey Larry!

That's some good info...
Thanks...

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Greasetattoo
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by Greasetattoo »

Finished mounted sign..
Nothing spectacular..

But, it works!
Attachments
524.jpg

cabnet636
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Re: Foam Numbers

Post by cabnet636 »

looks "spectacular" to me!!

jim
James McGrew
http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com
CAMaster ATC 508 24/7 http://dropc.am/p/EJaKyl

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