Something other than all white
I don't know about you, but I simply can't do another all white plane. I was explaining to one of my friends that many planes are offered in all white EPO foam and to make up for the fact that they look boring they either include or sell you decals. Often your plane comes out looking like something you would have loved when you were 14-years-old.
The problem with paint
I've seen many people paint their planes only to have paint scratch off. I know I am taking style points off but I like laminating my planes. Thus I am free to paint my planes and then clear laminate over the paint. Sure my colorful planes look like they are wrapped in Suran Wrap but it certainly beats yet another white plane.The problem with spray paints
The spray paint on bare foam will eat the surface. It can give an alligator skin look to it, which can look cool if you're into that. I wanted to go for something different so I looked around.
Krylon Short Cuts
If you don't mind paying a dollar per ounce of paint Krylon shortcuts can be sprayed directly onto the foam. It comes in many colors, but maybe not enough to satisfy all needs. If time is more important to you than money this is a step that can save you a couple of days. But if you have more exacting color needs, and you can take your time painting your planes there is a new option.
Krylon Foam Primer
Simply give your plane or whatever foam project you're working a couple/few coats of primer. There is a 24 to 48 hour cure time that you need between your last coat of primer and your first coat of paint. Dry to the touch and cured aren't the same thing. If it's an important project you may want to wait the full two days.
Primer on the plane, notice the surface isn't etched?
I've tested the foam primer on a couple of projects and the first words that come to my are "Excellent" and "Need More!" You can spray it onto your foam without worry of it getting eaten. The only downside is the primer color is the exact color of the EPO foam, so the changes are very minor. So far there hasn't been any burning issues with the foam.
After my first attempt with the primer I gave my smaller plane only 1 day cure time. It was a hot, dry June day in Southern California. So, nothing stayed wet all that long. My coats of paint, heavy or light didn't harm the plane one bit.
First coat of paint, no issues. And this was the cheap paint from Walmart!
Paint on foam can be flaky.
The surface of EPO foam is soft. It can easily be warped or bent. Unlike metal which doesn't change shape easily the surface of the foam isn't ideally suited for paint. So, whatever you put on the foam may flake off. This is why I use a low melt laminate like "The New Stuff" by Aloft Hobbies. If you don't mind the shiny plastic cover then things are good. I spend the most amount of time staring at my plane when it's in the air. And yes, I know it sounds like hype but I've flown a plane with and without the laminate and it definitely went faster with lamination on EPP foam. EPO foam is rather slick so I don't know how much of an impact it will have on the plane's drag. I will say that in crashes the areas that had the New Stuff on it seemed to hold up better. It was a little extra protection.
Otherwise, if your paint job faces abbrassion it will wear off in the areas that get rubbed.
What if you want to mask off an area?
One tip I found that looks useful is to put masking tape on your t-shirt before applying it to the surface. This will further deaden the adhesive.
Overall
The Krylon Foam Primer is a winner. But, it's hard to find. You can buy it on Amazon. The best prices I've found were at Hobby Lobby, especially with the 40% off coupon.
Links:
Hobby Lobby Link
http://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Stencils-Craft-Paints/Mediums-Finishes/Krylon-White-Craft-Foam-Primer/p/80785852
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-43264841-Spry-Foam-Primer/dp/B01K13FSDE/ref=cm_rdp_product_img
Aloft Hobbies- The New Stuff low melt lamination.
http://alofthobbies.com/new-stuff-laminating-films.html
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