Polyfoam is a popular material used in almost all areas of human life. He is known in construction, where it is often used to create ceiling tiles, borders and baseboards. These items are available in white. Therefore, consumers often have questions about polystyrene foam: how to paint this material, what apply paint technology?
Advantages of Foam Dyeing
Products from this material are usually used in various rooms of the room. They are characterized by durability, but after a few years they may lose their original appearance. Therefore, the painting will update the ceiling tile or baguette. In general, the following advantages of polystyrene staining can be distinguished:
- Protects new elements from dust, moisture, grease stains. Especially if the tile is used in the kitchen.
- The yellowed polystyrene will refresh over time.
- Facilitates the care of the coating, allows you to clean it without difficulty.
You can paint polystyrene tiles in absolutely any color: in classic white or in the main shade of the interior. In this case, the room will take on a completed look.
Styrofoam Paint
Foam products are very sensitive to all kinds of solvents, so the choice of paint should be approached carefully. The quality of the chosen product determines not only the appearance of the tiles or skirting board, but also the period of their operation. The foam coating must meet the following requirements:
- High adhesion to the surface base.
- Moisture resistance.
- Dense structure.
- Resistance to various detergents.
- The ability to not fade under direct sunlight.
The paint should be water-based. Well, if it does not contain solvents, white spirit and acetone, which adversely affect the foam. It is easy to decide how to paint this material, since only two types of paints meet all the necessary requirements. We are talking about acrylic or water-based products.
Acrylic paint
This type of coating has proven itself among the substances of the water-dispersed group. It is distinguished by the following advantages:
- Protects from ultraviolet radiation.
- It is characterized by a long service life.
- It dries quickly.
- It is safe for human health.
- It is odorless.
- Just applied.
- Resistant to dirt, easy to clean.
- Not afraid of elevated temperatures.
- Differs in a variety of shades.
Among the shortcomings, the high price of acrylic paints should be noted: the better the product, the higher the cost. However, this minus is easily blocked by the positive qualities that water-dispersed material possesses.
Water-based paint
Asking the question of how to paint the foam, you should pay attention to the water-based coating, characterized by the following advantages:
- Lays flat on the surface.
- It is ecological.
- It is odorless.
- It has vapor permeability.
- It is well tinted in various shades.
- It has a low price.
However, water-based paint also has disadvantages. Such paint is unstable to dirt, does not tolerate wet cleaning. In addition, the coating is washed off with water over time, and if applied abundantly, it can peel off. Despite these shortcomings, water-based paint is the most popular among the substances of the water-dispersed group.
Tile Guidelines
Knowing how to paint the ceiling tile from foam, you can begin to take action. The technology of work consists of several stages: preparation of the room and tools, preparation of foam elements, the actual painting. The first stage involves the following actions: it is necessary to remove or cover the furniture, to lay the floor and walls, if they will not be updated. You also need to wear protective clothing, special glasses on the eyes, a scarf on the head. Of the tools you will need: rollers, brushes of different sizes, a stepladder, a container for paint.
At the second stage, it is important to consider whether you have new or old polystyrene foam, than to paint it better, which is worth considering. If the tile is new, then it is necessary to carefully seal all joints with sealant or putty, check whether the elements are well glued everywhere, and glue in case the corners leave. It is recommended to clean old tiles from dust. It must be washed with a foam sponge, if necessary, update the joint seams. Before painting, ceiling tiles are well primed with a water-based solution.
The third stage is the direct coloring of the foam. It includes the following important points:
- Of the tools, you can use a roller, brush or spray gun.
- Embossed surfaces must first be painted over with a brush.
- Do not put too much paint on the roller so that there are no smudges and thick layers.
- Near the walls, it is recommended to use a small brush to avoid unwanted stains on them.
- It is necessary to paint in one direction. Better to start from the window.
- The second layer is applied perpendicular to the first after it has completely dried.
Thus, it is important to know, decorating the foam, how to paint this material, what preparatory work to produce. The technique of staining was described in the article, so use these tips when carrying out such work.