Open Cell (Upholstery) Foam Thicker, less dense than craft foam Thicker, less dense than craft foam Soft, compressable Soft, compressable Cut using scissors,

Open Cell (Upholstery) Open Cell (Upholstery) FoamFoam

Thicker, less dense Thicker, less dense than craft foamthan craft foam

Soft, compressableSoft, compressable

Cut using scissors, Cut using scissors, craft knife, or craft knife, or kitchen knife kitchen knife depending on depending on thicknessthickness


Seal the foam – very difficult to paint directly on Seal the foam – very difficult to paint directly on upholstery foamupholstery foam White glue not a good optionWhite glue not a good option ““Flexbond” adhesive (multiple layers for a smoother finish)Flexbond” adhesive (multiple layers for a smoother finish) ““Super 77” spray glue for a rougher finishSuper 77” spray glue for a rougher finish

Also the best option for gluing pieces togetherAlso the best option for gluing pieces together Stays tacky – needs another layer before paintingStays tacky – needs another layer before painting



Insulation and StyrofoamInsulation and Styrofoam

Better for props than Better for props than worn piecesworn pieces

““Hard” foam – doesn’t Hard” foam – doesn’t have give like craft or have give like craft or upholstery foamsupholstery foams

Easy to carve into Easy to carve into shape with a sharp shape with a sharp knifeknife

Specialized cutters Specialized cutters availableavailable

Insulation and StyrofoamInsulation and Styrofoam

Use cardboard, dowel, or pipe for internal Use cardboard, dowel, or pipe for internal strengthstrength

To avoid chipping and scuffs apply paper To avoid chipping and scuffs apply paper mache layer to seal the foam before mache layer to seal the foam before paintingpainting

Be very careful when gluing or painting; Be very careful when gluing or painting; many spray-on products and adhesives many spray-on products and adhesives will melt the foamwill melt the foam Always test first – OUTDOORS!Always test first – OUTDOORS!

Expanding FoamExpanding Foam

Designed to Designed to expand to fill expand to fill crackscracks

Can be used to Can be used to build up volume on build up volume on a prop then carved a prop then carved down into the down into the desired shapedesired shape


Pattern: make a cross-section shape of the Pattern: make a cross-section shape of the prop out of cardboardprop out of cardboard Remember to include a dowel for strength if Remember to include a dowel for strength if

piece is long or delicatepiece is long or delicate Cover the pattern area with expanding Cover the pattern area with expanding

foam and allow to dry (~1 day)foam and allow to dry (~1 day) Flip and do the other sideFlip and do the other side Using the cardboard shape as a guide, Using the cardboard shape as a guide,

carve down the foam with a sharp craft carve down the foam with a sharp craft knifeknife

To seal, add a layer of paper mache or To seal, add a layer of paper mache or similar before paintingsimilar before painting

Insulation and Expanding Insulation and Expanding FoamFoam




Other ideas…Other ideas…

Crayola “Model Magic”Crayola “Model Magic”


Pool noodles and pipe insulationPool noodles and pipe insulation


Pool noodles and pipe insulationPool noodles and pipe insulation

Thanks….Thanks….Photos used courtesy of:Photos used courtesy of:

Mai Sheri www.maishericostumes.comMai Sheri www.maishericostumes.com Kudrel kudrel-cosplay.deviantart.comKudrel kudrel-cosplay.deviantart.com Featherweight Featherweight

www.featherweightcreations.comwww.featherweightcreations.com ShuShuWafflez shushuwafflez.deviantart.comShuShuWafflez shushuwafflez.deviantart.com VickyBunnyAngel VickyBunnyAngel

vickybunnyangel.deviantart.comvickybunnyangel.deviantart.com Filougon filougon.deviantart.comFilougon filougon.deviantart.com Pan PANattheDisco.deviantart.comPan PANattheDisco.deviantart.com Yavarice cosplay.com/member/115091Yavarice cosplay.com/member/115091 Cole cosplay.com/member/8322Cole cosplay.com/member/8322

Jennifer “Mai Sheri” Wynne 2012Jennifer “Mai Sheri” Wynne 2012For The Rusty GearFor The Rusty Gear

Documents

Open Cell (Upholstery) Foam Thicker, less dense than craft foam Thicker, less dense than craft foam Soft, compressable Soft, compressable Cut using scissors,