Sculpt Nouveau

[malcy]

Thanks Joe,
I appreciate the suggestion.
I noticed you had a bad experience with StyroSpray over extruded XPS.
The distributor here in Australia and also a tech guy from the US insist that it's ok. Am I right in making a couple of assumptions as follows?...

The large flat surface area is not ideal. I am assuming that a piece containing many contours and raised elements would help to 'hold' the shell also, especially if it is applied all round.

I think the XPS needs to be sanded first, especially if it still has some release agent on it (like a waxy coat).

Also, do you think if I applied StyroSpray only to machined areas it would help? Ie. avoiding the virgin surface?

Do you think those things were a factor in your experience? Did you use their primer? I know how frustrating your experience must have been.

[Stewey]

Sorry about my typos above.
The multipanel might be lighter, and a bit coarser, but that can be a feature anyway, giving some grain or texture to the machined steel.
That lustreFX website-I'm not sure they'll sell you the product to do it yourself. I've had to repair finished made like that for other contractors, and they usually want to sell you aluminium-composite sheeting already metal-applied by them. I've had to touch up & fix damages sheets of the stuff- not easy unless you have an aresenal of assorted metal finished & colours & glazes to match whatever they fire at you. Not for the faint-hearted when it's a bench front in the Supreme Court!

[Joe Crumley]

M,

Over the past two years I've posted my poor experience with Styro Spray. As you know I'm posting all the time and when I get the chance I give strong warning about this product. Can't imagine how much financial damage I've caused them. So here goes.

Styro will adhere with beadboard but you gotta be careful with Styrene materials. Second it DOES NOT ever get hard unless you pile it on thick. I mean real thick. The recommended I purchase a Wagner sprayer for application. I'd did and it didn't work. When I called them they said it wouldn't work at this time. I threw that sprayer in the trash can.

I'm telling you they don't have a good product for vertical work and even with flat stock, it must go on thick to be of any use. I think I'll look up my photo's and start posting again about STYRO SPRAY.

Joe Crumley
Norman Sign Company, Norman, Oklahoma, SandBlasted Signs, Sign Painter, Redwood Signs

[Stewey]

oops double post-this website seems to be acting a bit strangely for me.
I logged-in yesterday, and it wanted to get my post 'approved' before allowing it to be seen...as if I was a newbie potentially writing something contentious.

[malcy]

Thanks Joe.
When you mention that Styrospray is no good for vertical work, do you mean when applying it? Or is it still no good after it cures and the job has been installed?

[Joe Crumley]

Thanks for posting guys.

Nancy that's a good suggestion but the issue here is how do you harden foam so it won't be subject to damage. That takes some thickness which SN doesn't provide.

Malcy the photo shows a monument sign covered with styro spray. We coated it out flat on the floor and applied a dusting of sand for the paint adhesion. A few days later you could peal the styro spray off slick as a whistle. It never gets very hard. It's lways flexable. We ended up with several coats of epoxy.



As you know I post on several forums and have done my best to let craftsmen know about my experiences. Each time I see this photo I get mad at Styro Spray again.

Best wishes

Joe

[malcy]

This is very helpful to know Joe. Thanks for your word of warning.
I've already purchased Styrospray for this job so will make do. The sign is 100% out of reach so it should be ok.

Did you sand the surface of the EPS before applying the Styrospray?

I will look at other options now. You mentioned epoxy resin. Is this able to be sprayed on?

[malcy]

Here are a couple of photos of a test version of the larger sign I am doing. This is my first commercial job so a little nervous, howbeit quite excited and pleased with how it's coming along.

The crown wheel has had first coat of Styrospray applied. The 360 has had styrospray, undercoat and topcoats (all water based exteria paint). I will also add a surface of metallic red automotive paint to the recessed areas, and a final clear coat over everything.

I will just be doing a silver grey colour for the metal parts. But I would like to experiment with some SN products in the near future.