Polystyrene Question - any help would be appreciated!

[Room8]

I want to carve a relief out of a polystyrene panel and, once finished, fiberglass it. Will the fiberglass eat away at the polystyrene or will it be okay?
Thanks for any answers/advice!

 

[daredevil665]

The polystyrene is only compatible with the epoxy resin,which costs more.

 

[clonesix]

Do a test first before applying anything to polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, or styrofoam. A better choice would be polyurethane foam, as it is not reactive with solvents.

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Do a test first before applying anything to polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, or styrofoam. A better choice would be polyurethane foam, as it is not reactive with solvents.

 

[clonesix]

Why did that post twice?

 

[daredevil665]

There are also water-based resins, odorless and non-toxic,great for working at home. Here in Italy it's called "Plastoforma." Or resins that do not require glass fiber,as the DURALOID COATPLAST both firm Prochima.

 

[Room8]

Thanks everyone. A second question...I know I can purchase sheets of the pink foam board at Home Depot or Lowes, but I have seen people on the net with big cubes of it. Does anyone know of a supplier that sells the pink foam board at good prices and various sizes?

 

[pitchforknumb]

Check this place out. Should have what you're looking for. http://univfoam.com/

 

[Foamguy]

Ive ordered from there as well, I also recommend them :thumbsup

 

[Room8]

Thanks!

 

[Foamguy]

Let us know how everything turns out!

 

[Room8]

Will do! One last question...Is there any difference between the pink foam board that I see people using and the white foam board that I see others using? They seem to have the same density, but I'm sure there are a few of you who know way more than I do about the best foam board to use.

 

[Foamguy]

Heres what I know about them: the pink board is an Owens Corning product and is usually used for insulation and construction, as far as I know. It normally comes in 1” to 2” thick pieces. The white board is expanded polystyrene foam and is the large foam blocks ( normally what I get because I can get the sizes I need). Last time I looked it ranged from 0.75 density up to 3.0 lb density. I think the company that pitchforknumb was talking about sells both but you might want to double check. Sorry for the wordy response.... I get carried away sometimes! :rolleyes

 

[Room8]

What density do you find you use the most?

 

[Philly]

I use the white/yellow insulation foam and you can apply fiberglass resin directly to it.

 

[Foamguy]

Between 1- 1.5 lb density usually. It really just depends on what your doing for your project